Early ice - can I take my portable?

[bikeoutback]

I've ice fished for about 9 years now more and more every year to last year going all out (ice house, vexilar, 14 straight weekends...). I'm hooked completely now so onto something new this year, early ice fishing. I've always fished after the holidays, just never made time for it till January and by then was driving on lakes so early ice is a whole new thing.

Do I go back to pole and bucket? Can I pull my portable (2 man flip over sled type) out on it or how thick of ice do I need for this? I figure the house isn't heavier than me loaded but put me, house, gear in one spot and does this pose disaster? However my logical thinking says that I might be better off sitting in my portable and distributing my weight over the sled then?

Also is using a power auger too much? I never bought a hand auger as others had augers till I got my power auger 2 years ago and I fish with others who had backup augers so I never had a need for a hand auger.

I know I should pick up some ice picks, anything else safety wise. Any other tips/tricks, cautions for early ice fishing? I'm looking for a consistent 4 inches thick correct?

[shnelson]

I wear cleats and bring a life jacket tied to a rope in addition to ice picks and never fishing alone.

I'm taking my 2 man flipover (~150lbs loaded) out, as long as I can find 4" of ice. Depending on how comfortable I am with the ice thickness, I'll either sit in it and erect the poles - otherwise just use it to haul my gear and fish a few yards away from it.

My fear is always falling through with the canvas over the top of you - how do you get out?

[drakerebel]

i'd buy yourself a chisel and start walking pulling your portable and checking the ice periodically. if the chisel goes through, not good. your chisel could pose as a means of making holes as well. otherwise, i'd use the auger--it's just more weight to pull. stick to your 4" target and you'll be fine.

or there's always the option of the monkey see/monkey do approach. find others and check ice depth (making sure they're not crazy fishing on 2") and fish away.

[Fred_Bear]

I have always taken a portable with on early ice. At least use it for carrying your gear out. You'd be putting a lot more PSI on the ice by carrying your gear than you will by putting it in a sled. I'd also bring the power auger for sure.

[thatoneguy]

drakerebel is spot on. Take a chisel/spud with you, and check the ice every so many yards. Anything less than 4-5", I stay off. You could probably get by with 3" of good ice, but to me it's not worth the risk.

[deadeye]

My fear is always falling through with the canvas over the top of you - how do you get out?

That is a fear I share. I guess I usually fish out in the open Until there is at least 6 in. Not that I should be worried but, its something thats always in the back of my mind.

If you take all the precautions you will be fine. Like others said with the flip over your spreading the weight out so its probably actually better. And if there were to be a problem, I would bet that the sled on a bigger flip over would probably be floating anyway. (The first time I duck hunted Swan Lake by nicollet I saw a guy paddling around in the biggest otter sled like it was a mini duck boat)

[Esox_Magnum]

I sat in my 3 man last weekend on 3" with no problems, there were 3 other shacks out with me.

[RonWBasser]

The most weight you will ever put in a given spot is where one foot is on the ice as the other takes a step ahead. All of your weight in less than a square foot of area. If that will hold you don't sweat the portable house.

Your weight is spread out over a bigger area with a portable that flips. The biggest risk is you going through, not the house.

Like others said, if in doubt.... chisel ahead of you or wait until you see somebody else go out.

[Get_the_gaff]

3"

[SDbowhunter]

Hand augers are great for early ice as chipping holes weakens the ice. If i am really feeling lucky 2"-3" I just use my portable as a sled/seat. Once you get a good 4 inches flip it over its relatively safe.

[walleyehunter80]

I fish on a 1.5 inches, only the person on the ice can be the judge of safe or not!

[icefishing21]

I took my 150 pound Frabil Predditor out this year once we reached 3-1/2" of good ice. Not a single crack and no warping of the ice. And i even had my buddy in the house with me.