How much ice do you need?

[Maverick3]

Quote:

Never be first and never be farthest..

Someone has to be first

A good clear 2inches of ice and I'm on my way. A spud is a must during first ice travels.

Minnesota DNR has a chart...Recommended Minimum Ice Thickness.

4 inches for walking.

5 inches ATV or Snowmobile.

8-12 inches Car or Small Truck

12-15 inches Medium Truck.

[Rick G]

As long as its clear 2in has been enough to hold my 180lbs on top for coming on 25 years of ice fishing. Dont get me wrong I would like four in. but when 2in is all there is thats all there is. It also helps a bit to know the body of water you are on. A good sharp spud bar is a must for early ice.

[JIvers]

I will walk out on 3" of good clear ice on ponds where I don't have to worry about current, springs, and such that create variable ice conditions. I also keep an eye on ponds as they freeze to note where geese keep patches open.

I use my spud bar, and wear picks when I head out on 3" ice, even if it looks good. Cloudy ice, ice with snow, I want more than 3" before I walk on it.

[jwmiller33]

i will walk on ice when i see others are safely walking on ice. similarly, i will drive on ice when i see other vehicles are safely driving out there... my philosophy is never to be the guinea pig. fishing first ice is never worth falling thru, at least for me it is... theres not a big enough fish in this world that is worth that.

[GrizzlyAdams]

4" for me also is the minimum. I went out on a local lake a couple years ago and went out to where a lot of people were. (I stayed a good distance away as I like to have an area to myself). When I got out there and set up and drilled my holes I was on 2.5" of clear ice. Freaked me out!!!! Within a few minutes of setting up, a decent crack went under the portable and through one of my holes. The ice moved like a wave and I high tailed it off the lake with my tail between my legs. Sucked pulling everthing out there and then have to walk right back. I waited til the ice was a little better after that. 12" minimum for driving on for me.

[jwhjr]

3-4" walking. I like at least 18" for driving.

[juicey_jroc1]

If your new to ice fishing you should wait till 5-6 inches to walk out and take note of other anglers,if you dont see any it might not be safe/spring fed which can make ice conditions vary quite a bit. Important thing is to let someone know where your going if you are unsure of the lake you are fishing

[FasterThanYou23]

3" to walk

5-6" sled or wheeler

12" to drive out the 1/2 ton

[FLaker]

6" for the wheeler. 3-4 to walk. I rarely drive my truck on the ice and prefer there to be 18" for the truck but will usually leave it at the landing and take the wheeler and Fish Trap on the ice.

FLaker

[stifler51]

2-4 walk with ice pick pokin ice ahead of me.

6-7 with the sled

10+ with the S10

#1 RULE WITH ANY ICE, KNOW THE LAKE. IF U DONT KNOW DONT GO!

if u know the lake u know the spots that freeze hard first and where u can and cannot go. If u need advice theres plenty of Baitshops that will gladly help out to keep ppl safe, will they give u the spot, prolly not. but when it comes to safety they spill their guts out

[gregg52]

even if you know the lake you can get caught off guard

a hole opened up in noth long 371 bay a few yrs back

for no reason that any body can explain to date was never there in the past

sometimes it would skim over so it was impossialbe to tell

several snowmobiles went threw that winter..not really their fault

i 'm glad i didnt have that year cuz i coulda easly been one

i dont travel much on lakes since then

[icefishing21]

i start when theres about 2-3 inches

[mozy]

4" of good clear ice for walking. 8" for fourwheeler. 18" for my truck. I always wear my AA and have ice picks in the pocket. First ice is some of the best fishing of the year for me so I like to get out as early as possible. I wait a little longer taking out my truck because the ATV does the same job without worrying about falling through.

[81Saluki]

Good info from everyone so far. In addition, remember the following when driving on ice (especially for newbies!!) ...

1. MAX speed is 15mph. Vehicles create waves under the ice which can crack the ice ahead and make it unstable. Even when the ice is very thick.

2. UNbuckle your seat belt and keep your windows rolled down while on the ice ... even when bitter cold. If your vehicle does fall through, you have a far better chance of escaping than otherwise.

Be Safe and Good Fishing!

[silverbulletguy]

I always make sure there is someone much bigger than me on the ice before I head out. Same applies to driving on. I would rather stay dry and alive than take a chance.

[harvey lee]

Good info from everyone so far. In addition, remember the following when driving on ice (especially for newbies!!) ...

1. MAX speed is 15mph. Vehicles create waves under the ice which can crack the ice ahead and make it unstable. Even when the ice is very thick.

2. UNbuckle your seat belt and keep your windows rolled down while on the ice ... even when bitter cold. If your vehicle does fall through, you have a far better chance of escaping than otherwise.

Be Safe and Good Fishing!

Great information.

[jwmiller33]

I always make sure there is someone much bigger than me on the ice before I head out. Same applies to driving on. I would rather stay dry and alive than take a chance.

+1

my philosophy exactly

[northernsportman]

6 for me

[shnelson]

Originally Posted By: 81Saluki

Good info from everyone so far. In addition, remember the following when driving on ice (especially for newbies!!) ...

1. MAX speed is 15mph. Vehicles create waves under the ice which can crack the ice ahead and make it unstable. Even when the ice is very thick.

2. UNbuckle your seat belt and keep your windows rolled down while on the ice ... even when bitter cold. If your vehicle does fall through, you have a far better chance of escaping than otherwise.

Be Safe and Good Fishing!

Great information.

Agreed - I'd even recommend keeping a door cracked if the conditions are questionable. As long as you keep it around 15mph a cracked door doesn't pose so much of a safety risk.

[Bluegill1510]

3 inches to walk out on & fish, and 12-14" to drive on

[markharo]

i like 4 inches to walk and pull out my voyager portable, i only drill one hole though, i dont like the thought of two right next to each other. on mille lacs, i have a 1/2 ton truck reg, cab 4x4, and my perm, is 8 x 14, most years, 10 inches of ice, im out then with truck, i feel safe enough when the resorts 1 ton crew cab pulled my house to the spot. ill park my truck 100 feet from the house though for the first weekend.

[Brad B]

I will walk out if there is atleast 4 or 5 inches. Last year in the begining of the season I went and checked a local lake and when I put my foot on the ice the whole ice sheet started to do a wave motion lets say that it freaked me out and I still had one foot on dry land. did go out on this lake later in the season and was fine.

[minnbowhunter]

I agree, I keep one hand on the door handle when driving on the ice, regardless of the ice thickness. I figure if the truck starts to break thru and I get the door open quick enough I have a better chance of staying dry.

[walleye365]

3-4 inches for pulling the portable out and 16+ for driven on.

[Chode2235]

I agree, I keep one hand on the door handle when driving on the ice, regardless of the ice thickness. I figure if the truck starts to break thru and I get the door open quick enough I have a better chance of staying dry.

I think the DNR tells you to drive with the windows open.