Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Make sure ice is safe before venturing out fishing
SPOONER, Wis. – As ice thickens on Wisconsin waterways, anglers are
preparing to venture out and take part in one of Wisconsin’s most
participated winter activities – ice fishing. Knowing when it is safe to
venture out onto the ice, how to travel on ice, and what to do should the
ice break are as important as the rudiments of fishing itself.
“Most law enforcement personnel will tell you that because it can be
tricky, there is no such thing as safe ice,” says DNR Law Enforcement
Safety Specialist Chris Wunrow, “and although a lake or river is frozen
that does not mean it can be safely traveled.”
Wunrow offers these tips to anglers and others who plan to venture onto
the ice this winter:
 | Clear, solid ice at least two inches thick is usually sufficient to
hold a single person walking on foot. For safety’s sake, wait until the
ice is at least three inches thick and go with a friend. Keep at least
50 feet of distance between each other. Ice fishing with several friends
and gear requires at least 4 inches of ice, and snowmobiles and ATVs
require a minimum of 5 inches. |
| Ice will generally be thicker near shore and get thinner the farther
one ventures out. Check ice thickness with an ice spud or auger starting
from a few feet from shore and every 10 to 20 feet as one goes towards
the middle of the waterway. |
| Lake ice is generally stronger than river ice. Springs, lake inlets
and outlets, and channels can alter ice thickness. |
| Before heading out onto early or newly formed ice, check with a
local bait shop, resort owner, or outdoors store regarding ice thickness
or known thin spots. |
| Whether alone or with a friend on early ice, always carry a couple
of large sharpened nails and a length of rope in an easily accessible
pocket. The nails or commercially bought ice grabbers can help a person
pull themselves out of the water an on to more solid ice. The rope can
be thrown to another person for rescue. |
| If you are alone and go through the ice, take a few seconds to get
over the “cold shock.” Regain your breathing, kick hard and try to swim
up onto the ice. If successful, crawl on your hands and knees or roll to
more solid ice. Get to the nearest warm place quickly. If your attempts
to swim onto the ice area unsuccessful, get as much of your body out of
the water and yell for help. Studies show you will have about 30 minutes
or more before the body is incapacitated by hypothermia. |
| Proper clothing can increase chances of survival should a person
break through the ice. A snowmobile type suit if it is zipped can and
will trap air and slow the body’s heat loss. Once filled with water,
however, insulated suits become heavy and will hinder rescue. Newer
model snowmobile suits have flotation material built in and anyone
traversing ice should consider purchasing one of these suits. On early
ice it is advised to wear a personal flotation device. |
| Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible. Traveling in a
vehicle -- especially early or late in the season -- is an accident
waiting to happen. |
| When driving on ice, be prepared to leave the vehicle in a hurry.
Unbuckle the seatbelt and have a simple plan of action in case of ice
break through. Anglers may want to leave a window open for an easy exit.
|
| Often vehicles will establish roads from shore to the current
fishing hotspots. Repeated vehicle use may cause the ice to weaken. The
ice roads may not always be the safest routes. |
| When using a gas or liquid heater to warm an ice shack or tent make
sure it is properly ventilated with at least two openings, one at the
top and one at the bottom of the structure. Any flame eats oxygen so
proper ventilation is required. |
DNR conservation wardens and fisheries staff are also alerting anglers
and other outdoor enthusiasts that a number of lakes in northern Wisconsin
will have aeration systems operating this winter. The aeration systems are
operated by governmental units or lake groups and cause areas of the lakes
to remain ice-free. The systems bubble oxygenated air into the water
helping to prevent fish die offs known as winterkill. Lakes with aeration
systems will have notices of the systems posted at public accesses.
Snowmobilers, anglers, and other lake users should use extra caution on
these lakes because of open water. The open water areas should be
surrounded by a fence consisting of uprights connected by a rope with
reflective tape or reflectors.
DNR wants people to be safe in Wisconsin’s outdoors, Wunrow notes.
“Common sense is the greatest ally in preventing ice related
accidents,” he says, “and that includes checking ice conditions and
preparing oneself before venturing out.” Five minutes of checking ice from
shore, and systematic checks while going out on the ice, he notes, can
make the difference between an enjoyable winter experience and a tragedy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Wunrow (715) 635-4112
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