People who don’t fish always shake their heads in disbelief at early season ice anglers. Truth be told, a fair number of other outdoorsmen, even some open water anglers, shake their heads at us, too.
Yeah, we receive all sorts of labels – “crazy” the most frequent -when venturing onto that first ice of winter. But the excellent fishing during that first ice period keeps drawing us out onto hard water that some people consider suicidally thin.
First off, let’s make one thing clear: Ice is never safe. Even in the dead of late January, many factors can render ice that has appeared ridiculously safe for weeks into the danger zone. I’m one of those people who relishes the early ice opportunities that many people consider insane. Yet when some of those same people are driving four-wheel drive rigs everywhere later in the season, you’ll probably find me on an ATV or snowmobile, taking it nice and slow.
Before breaking down safety on first ice, let me explain what draws folks like me out onto three inches of fresh ice in December. First ice and last ice are the two best periods of the hard waters season to ice fish. The water is still relatively warm (or in spring, warming). The sun still has a relatively high angle in the sky, so the shallows especially are getting sunlight and some heat. Thanks to the still ample daylight, this is as about as warm as the water will be under the ice.
This means vegetation is still green, pumping out fresh oxygen and providing cover for fish. Given the higher water temperatures, the metabolism of the fish is high enough that they’re still feeding regularly, which bodes well for us dropping a line under the surface.
Gamefish are a whole different animal now than they will be later in January and February, when there are shorter days and colder water temperatures contributing to their metabolisms. And hey, let’s face it, people are a diurnal species, too, so when there’s more light, we’re more likely to be fishing, too.
When is ice too thin? Whenever I’m breaking through it’s too thin, so I do a number of things to prevent that from happening. I also take precautions to help save my life if I do to fall through the ice.
We’ve all seen statistics from state resource agencies detailing that walkable ice starts at 4 inches. Then 6 inches for a snowmobile or ATV, 8 to 12 inches for a small vehicle, then 12 to 15 inches-plus for a larger vehicle.
Those guidelines are pretty good, but the fine print is important where they note: “Ice is variable. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.”
As I suggested earlier, I think these guidelines are a little conservative for walking, but I’ve always felt those numbers are a little lenient for vehicles. For my pickup, I want 14 inches of solid ice, and it’s frankly pretty rare that you’ll see that vehicle on ice, and then it’s a waterway I know well. Even in the dead of winter I use an ATV or snowmobile; I just think Mother Nature is more forgiving with those small vehicles.
As for early season, I’m willing to fish ice anywhere from 2 to 4 inches, though I’m ultra careful in doing so. As I explained earlier, the shallows are logical places to fish early season, so there’s often no reason to go over deep water where – if you do break through – you’ll be in over your head.
You need several tools to pull this off. First, carry an ice spud in one hand and check the ice thickness every few feet as you go. I’ll slam it down, and if it busts through, I back off. If you can chuck that spud bar down in front of you and it just sends ice chips flying, then I’m comfortable venturing forward.
I wear a set of ice picks on a tether around my neck, and you can find these at any large outdoors retailer. If you go through, these picks act as claws you use to drag yourself back on the ice.
The most important piece of equipment while walking on early ice (besides your common sense) is a PFD. They’re not for just in the boat, folks. If you break through, the PFD can save you from that initial “gasp reflex” that strikes people when they fall in the water. The shock from the cold causes people to gasp, causing almost instant drowning. That PFD can keep your head above water, so at least you’re not sucking in water when that shock strikes you.
Staying over shallow water isn’t difficult. You usually can see through that clear, early ice (and see fish, too), and you can double-check the depth multiple ways, even via your electronics or map chips. If you break through while fishing shallow, you can jump right back out quickly.
Cracking sounds don’t necessarily mean impending doom. Yes, if you hear ice crack with each step, that’s a sign to back off. But if you’re sitting in your Fish Trap at dusk as an ultra cold front moves in and hear ice booming, that’s a good sound. It means Mother Nature is building more ice, and -because frozen water expands – the sheets of ice create sounds as they shift.
There are obvious areas to avoid, especially during early ice. Anywhere with current tops the list. Creek mouths, narrows between islands, or mouths of channels that separate two basins of a lake, can have moving water under the ice, which can prevent good ice from forming or alter ice conditions quickly.
Be very careful if part of a lake is open and the wind is blowing from an open portion of lake. That wave action can create a current under the ice. Wind always is a real wild card, and it’s a primary reason why you’ll always want to check ice thickness, even in an area that had great ice two or three days prior. That ice may be gone or unsafe now.
On big lakes, like Lake Mille Lacs, big giant ice sheets can get moved around, and if the wind shifts, it can blow that sheet of ice away from shore -stranding you with no connection back to shore.
Reservoirs or backwaters of big rivers (not to mention frozen main channels) can be very dangerous areas. On the Mississippi River, for example, water levels can change quickly thanks to the dams, leaving air gaps under the ice. That’s a very dangerous situation where you’ll go through quickly and -with current pulling you downstream – probably will be lucky to survive.
If you go through, use the tools you’ve brought with you. Pull yourself forward with your ice claws, kick with your legs, and then get up as far as you can. Once on the ice, roll away from the hole to distribute your weight, then return over your entry path. That ice should be good since it supported you on the way out.
Under the common sense department, I always fish with a buddy and we bring a life cushion with a rope attached, too. It’s easy to grab onto so your buddy can help pull you to safety if need be.
Despite fishing hundreds of hours over early ice, I’ve never fallen through – other than maybe over couple feet of water. I’ve never felt that fear that darkens people’s eyes as they recount such tales.
Some might says that makes me unqualified to write on such a topic. On the contrary, it’s by design, fishing familiar water, and with a healthy dose of common sense that I’ve never dealt with anything other wet boots during this prime time for fishing.
Adam Johnson is an Aquatic Biologist and a Power Stick on the Ice Team.By: Adam Johnson
