Tips For Ice Fishing Safety
Ice fishing is a great way to get through the cold winter months until the lakes and rivers open up again for more active angling. Going out on hard water is very special, and allows angler’s who maybe don’t have another means of being on the water, to access parts of lakes and rivers they would not be able to get to any other time of the year. Ice fishing does come with it’s own specific set of perils which should be avoided. For many, just the thought of being overtop of deep, cold waters with nothing but physics keeping you warm and dry is enough to raise the pulse, and for good reason! Ice fishing accounts for 22% of immersion deaths in Canada. In this article, I’d like to bring to light some points to help keep you safe out there while you’re hunting lunkers.
Dont Trust The Ice
The general consensus for safe ice thickness is a minimum of 10cm (4 inches) before it can safely be walked on. The Canadian Red Cross advocates for thicknesses of 15cm. Be mindful that ice is generally at it’s thinnest near the edges. Moving water also will impact how thick the ice may be.
Ice conditions can change, so just because the ice was good on the pond last weekend, doesn’t mean it will be this weekend. Fluctuating temperatures, sun exposure and an increase or decrease of water flow beneath the ice can all change the ice’s thickness, and quickly. These changes are often invisible to the naked eye.
Don’t go alone
Ice fishing is always more fun with friends, and it’s always safer as well. A quick discussion of safe rescue procedures will ensure everyone has a good day out. If someone does have the unfortunate happen, and they end up in the drink, resist the temptation to immediately rush over to them. If they are in the water, you will be shortly as well! Stop. Think. Observe. Assess the situation. Call 911. If possible, toss them a rope from the safety of thicker ice. If you must get closer, lay down on your stomach and slide towards them to help spread your weight out over a larger surface area to try and avoid breaking through yourself.
Come Prepared
Just like you wouldn’t head out for a day of fishing on the boat without essential safety gear, you shouldn’t head out on the ice without it either. At minimum a flotation device is recommended, with most advocating for a float or survival suit. Don’t forget that, while your multiple layers of outdoor gear keep your nice and toasty while above the water, become a heavy death trap once wet and submerged. It might seem silly to be wearing a PFD on what feels like dry land, but at any second you can be submerged wearing an extra 30-40lb once pants, coats, ect become wet.
Bring rescue equipment, this includes ice picks, a rope, a cell phone (in a waterproof container) and a first aid kit. Other safety equipment to be considered includes: flashlight, waterproof matches/lighter, tool kit, candles and survival blanket.
Avoid Fishing Where Water Levels Could Fluctuate
Reservoirs made from dams feel like a great place to catch a few fish that have retreated to the warm depths that are often located closest to the dam, but this ice can often be the most dangerous ice. Water levels below the ice can often be lowered for a multitude of reasons, with no way of being able to see the level change visually from the topside. A sheet of ice over a body of water relies heavily on the water underneath to support the load it bears, as if it was floating in a fixed position. If that water is removed, the ice is now nowhere near as strong as it was with water immediately below it. Think of it as one giant ice dome sinkhole waiting to happen. If you fall through in this situation, there is little that can be done to rescue you.
What To Do If You Fall Through
Don’t Panic. Easy to say, tough to do. When you first take the plunge, your body’s shock response will send your heartrate through the roof. Put your hands on the edge and allow yourself a few seconds to regain control of your breathing and heartrate. Calm and collected are your keys to survival. Take a few deep slow breaths and prepare to become a seal.
Pressing down on the ice in front of you and trying to exit as though you are getting out of a pool is only going to break more ice in front of you. Start by outstretching your arms long and flat onto the ice in front of you, and start kicking your feet as if you were trying to make your body totally horizontal with the ice. Once you are generating enough force to do this, try to start sliding yourself forward on top the ice, kicking forward, not down, as hard as you can. The ice will continue to break below you, but that is ok, keep kicking! Eventually more and more of your torso will make it on to weight-bearing ice, keep kicking and resist the urge to stand! Once your legs are on top of the ice sheet, slide forward on your belly towards safer, thicker ice. Test first by getting on all 4’s before attempting to stand.
In Closing
Before you head out on to the ice, make sure you come prepared. Don’t go on to ice if you are alone, or unsure of it’s condition. Take frequent measurements of the ice’s thickness and if anything does go wrong, don’t panic and make like a seal!
