CHEYENNE - In addition to the auger, bait, poles and coffee, ice anglers are urged to equip themselves with the most important equipment: precaution and safety, particularly if temperatures and windy conditions pick up across the state.

"There are no sure answers for ice being safe," says Jake Hohl, education specialist for the Game and Fish Department. "The general standards for safe ice are a good rule of thumb, but with variables in weather and water, ice fishermen need to always be cautious."

Four inches of clear ice is usually safe for fishing, but even with a foot of ice the Game and Fish recommends ice fishing on the "buddy system" for safety.

"There could hardly be a more desperate predicament than to fall through the ice and have no one around to help you," Hohl says.

He advises anglers to wear a life jacket or personal floatation device, plus tie a pair of ice picks, screw drivers or big nails together with about 5 feet of wire and drape it around your neck. "If you do fall through the ice, a PFD will help you stay buoyant while grabbing the ice picks to get a grip and pull yourself up on the ice," he says.

Some very responsible "team anglers" will have a small extension ladder in the truck. The ladder can be pushed to the hole so the victim can grab it and be pulled out.

To help fend off hypothermia in the event of getting wet in an ice fishing accident, extra clothes and hot liquids are also mandatory ice fishing equipment.

Although 12-14 inches of ice are reported to support a vehicle, the G&F discourages driving on a frozen lake. "This is particularly discouraged in Wyoming due to fluctuating water levels in reservoirs and our wind impacting ice conditions," Hohl says.

With variable ice conditions across the state, anglers are urged to call local sources to confirm conditions and to drill test holes when venturing onto the lake or reservoir.
(contact: Jeff Obrecht)