TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

It will be my first time ice fishing in 2024 and I am excited and scared too.

As I have been researching this style of fishing today I came across this article by the AP. It is a report of a man in Maine who was checking ice thickness by drilling holes first. The ice cracked and he fell into the water and drowned. His body was recovered later by the fire department.

"Maine man dies while checking thickness of lake ice, warden say"

https://apnews.com/article/maine-ice-fisherman-drowns-474de7d085c493a1f213923e4d5b5899?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

From further research I have learned the following safety tips for ice fishing:

1. Early ice thickness can be treacherous
2. Always go with a buddy
3. Check ice thickness before drilling
4. Spud bar first to check ice thickness
5. Know the thickness of ice you are looking for, at least 4"
6. Wear a pair of ice picks around your neck, don't put them in your pockets
7. Buy an ice suit that floats or other PFD
8. There is no such thing as safe ice, accidents can still happen

I am going to post these tips in my office and review them before going ice fishing next year.

Let's be safe out there next year! Merry Christmas and I will see you on the hard top somewhere.

TheFishHook

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

Don't forget #9 the most importance tip: Always, Always have the wife walk out twenty feet ahead of you .

TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

oh no, LOL!

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

Haha, don't forget to have her drag a bag of rocks that is equal to or greater than the difference in her weight to yours!!

jeffs711ny Loc: up state ny

It's always safer when you see other people out there first first ice doesn't matter as much as your life you'll see the machines you'll see them fishing all over the place four wheelers snowmobiles whatever then you know you're okay then go test the ice
I live in Upstate New York I've seen the ice real sketchy before

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

Good advice. As much as I enjoy ice fishing, I have no desire to experience going through the ice.

Papa D Loc: Mantweeka, Ca

Farmers Almanac has some good tips. Below is a copy of their thickness guide.

I would also recommend a loud whistle -- even if you manage to get back onto the ice you'll probably need help. I keep mine attached to my PFD.

https://www.almanac.com/ice-thickness-safety-chart

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

I don't ice fish but find that interesting thanks

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

That’s good info Papa D, thanks. I’m a big guy and not all that young anymore. I would never go out on three inches of ice. I prefer eight, but if there was six inches of perfectly clear ice, I’d feel safe.

TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

I like the way you think.

TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Ok gotcha! I am a first responder in Salt Lake City and I just want to be careful and ready in case the unthinkable still happens.

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

I record and watch KSL Outdoors every week. There was an episode this last winter where the host was out on the ice at Flaming Gorge with a guy from the DWR. They were trying to catch rainbow trout and some pup lakers, so they were moving around. At one point, they were moving to a different spot when the game warden went through the ice. They didn’t show him going in or getting out, which I think was a missed opportunity to teach more about ice safety and how to get out. This guy is the head DWR person for the gorge. It pretty much shows no ice is completely safe.

TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Thank you for sharing. That would have been a great safety teachable moment for them to share with the public. WE COULD LEARN FROM EVEN PROFESSIONALS MAKIING MISTAKES.

Fishing is fun in any climate or environment and we should NOT get injured or die from doing it.

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

I completely agree. I will try really hard to make sure you come home safe, warm and dry when we head out on the ice.