Early ice can offer the hard water angler some of the best fishing of the year, but can also be quite dangerous. Understanding the body of water you will fish and how to test the ice are the most vital tools used on early ice.
Of all the outdoor sports I've been involved in, ice fishing is likely the most dangerous. On the other hand, it also happens to be my favorite. Being over eager to get out early or to stay on late ice is typically the reason people go through. Knowing how to avoid and to test for thin ice is of utmost importance to the ice angler. Understanding the body of water you will fish can have an impact on the safety and success of the trip. Research new bodies of water first, then head out for some safe winter fun.
Many anglers choose to avoid ice all together because of its inherent danger. Rapid changes in weather, like this past week, can weaken what was safe ice within just a few days. Without the understanding of how to check ice and what safe ice is, these people are making the right decision, and staying off. I may have begun to sound like a broken record, but a yearly column on ice safety will surely make its way in upon completion of deer season. If the information provided prevents a single death over time, I hope the experts out there can accept the redundancy.
The truth is there is no such thing as safe ice. You can be injured by slipping and falling on ice, and it can be dangerous even when thick enough to safely walk on. The slippery nature of ice when wet can also make it hard to pull yourself out if you fall in. There have been tools created to prevent ice slippage, both for the feet and hands. Ice cleats or crampons attach to your boots, and they have studs or sharp spikes that dig into the ice to prevent slippage. Ice spikes are hand–held tools that enable you to pull yourself out of the water if the ice happens to break. There are many styles, but they all have a nail or nails embedded in the handle. To extract yourself easily using ice spikes, dig them into the ice as far out as you can reach comfortably, kick your feet and level your body as you pull at the same time. I have not used them myself, but all of the videos online showed people exiting the water within seconds while using them.
Before you leave the house, make sure that you have packed these items, it could save your life. I would start with an extraction rope then move to my emergency kit. The kit should include towels to dry yourself off, and warm clothing of all types to be changed into if you happen to fall through. I also recommend packing a sleeping bag and hand, foot or body warmers to more rapidly recover body heat. Step one is to be prepared if you go through; step two is preventing it from happening in the first place.
You would think preventing a polar plunge would be the first on the list, but you never know if or when it will happen, so first be prepared. then attempt to prevent it. Safe ice for fishing is four inches of clear not compacted snow ice. It will look like an ice cube and not like a snow cone if safe. The tools used to test ice are the spud and auger.
The spud is a heavy chisel attached to a walking stick. As you walk, you thrust the tip into the ice. If it bounces off the ice, it is safe to walk on, but if it breaks through, it's too thin and you should return to shore.
Auger testing should be done close to shore and in a spot you know to be shallow. Avoid testing the typical launch sites, because if there is a warm spell, it helps weaken the launch. I have seen people go through the ice on quads at Schuyler Lake because too many test holes were made at the launch. Drill a hole to determine thickness every 10 yards or so until you reach your destination. Begin fishing if conditions allow, but never push your luck – it's not worth it.
Remember lakes freeze at different speeds due to environmental factors: The lake's depth and configuration. In-flowing water can cause the lake to freeze later than others. Avoid any stream entries as ice may be thin in these areas. The fish are typically found in shallower water the first month or so, which can shorten the trek a bunch. Focus on weed beds and drop offs on the edge of them. The fish tend to be stacked up in these areas early in season, which should offer some hot action.
Good wishes and safe fishing to all.