Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Is it worth it? It’s winter for a reason! Doesn’t seem like the risk is worth the reward! Rather hit the fish market. More folks have lost their life’s ice fishing then any other form of winter lake fishing! Stay home, make some hot cider and watch Ice road truckers! Remember that old saying,,, your walking on thin ice!

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

That’s an interesting question. I grew up in Southern California. I moved to Utah in the early nineties. I thought ice fishing had to be the most ridiculous thing a person could do. For some reason, I decided to try it a few months after having both of my knees replaced. I’ve had a lot of fun fishing through a hole in the ice. I actually have better luck getting members of my family to go ice fishing than I ever have the rest of the year. From that point of view, yeah it’s worth it.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

I figure there are way to many nice days in Calif to fish, don't need to be on the ice trying to chopped a hole in it to fish.

Fishinfellow Loc: Maine/Florida

Very unfortunate, any loss of life that could have been prevented. Many good tips listed that should be taken seriously. Every year in Maine there are reports of people falling through the ice on foot, snowmobiles & vehicles, resulting in deaths. PLEASE, please be careful this winter. 1st, always have a pair of ice picks around your neck or through the sleeves of your jacket to help get back up on ice if you break through. Also a rope can be a true "lifeline" when helping someone out of the water. My son has a YouTube channel on ice fishing & ice camping in below freezing temperatures. I don't believe I'm allowed to list his channel on this site. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Jack Holland, Jefferson Maine.

TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Thank you very much for sharing. I hope to visit Maine one day to fish and visit. I watch cabin masters and I see all the beautiful lakes and campgrounds homes, so beautiful.

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

I totally get it, from a California perspective, it makes zero sense to ice fish. In places where the lakes are frozen for several months of the year, it makes a lot more sense. I've only felt unsafe on the ice one time. That lake is off my list of places I'll go.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

I understand that, and to tell you the truth would not mine trying it once, have a cousin in Montana keeps trying to get me out there to ice fish, might someday

Iggy348 Loc: Republic, Washington

I grew up in Minnesota. We had a lake cottage on Floyd Lake. A typical winter for us was anywhere between the +20s to -40sF. As kids we used to fish on the ice often. Our ice could get as thick as my leg was long. My dad drilled these things into my head (more than once). Of course this was in the 50's and no one had cell phones then. The water is much warmer than the ice and it melts from the bottom up. Spots that look darker than other places is thin ice. Stay off of it. Fresh snow hides this. If the snow looks dark in a spot stay away. Listen (Really listen) as you walk. Cracking sounds are not good. Thin spots can be caused by movement of water or springs under the ice. Rivers are not to be trusted for this reason. Every year someone fell through the ice on the Red River and was not found until spring. If you don't know where those springs are on YOUR lake, find out. Tell someone EXACTLY where you will be on the lake and when you expect to return and leave a note at home if no one else is there when you leave. Draw a map if you can. It makes looking for you much easier. You might be between you home and your fishing spot "somewhere". If you get wet when its -20F or colder you will be dead in less than an hour. In less than half an hour you will likely be immobile. So if you get wet LEAVE. If you are unlucky enough to fall through you will not float with all those clothes on. Not even close.

I am in my 70s now and no longer fish on the ice. I remember that wind going right through me. Makes me cold just to remember. When I was a kid I was 10 feet tall and bullet proof. Not so much any more. Good luck out there. Be careful.

TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Thanks Iggy for your story. I hope everyone reads this to the end and listen to your tips. I will.

Fishon 70 Loc: Illinois

Tie a rope around your waist and hook it to a truck, ATV or tree. Out of the wind coves usually freeze first

TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Ok gotcha!!!

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

If I have to tie a rope around my waist and tried off to a truck to be safe fishing, I ain't fishing my life is worth more than that. Rope around a leg, arm or neck no way Jose

TheFishHook Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Ok gotcha!

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

I’m with you on that ranger, ice or no ice, if tying a rope around me is the only way to be safe, I’ll stay home. I like fishing, but not that much…

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.