What is "safe" ice?

[ALEX EYES]

Was out tonite, solid 3". Fished out on 2" in the past but put on a few pounds and feel better waiting for that 3". First ice like this I always walk with my chisel and check the ice in front of me every couple steps. If the chisel doesn't go through with a good solid hack I keep going, stopping evry 10 yards or so and chisel a hole to check actual thickness. haven't gone through yet!

[HandGunner]

Wats with all the bickering? Jeesh im so responsible that i dont even walk on 100 inch thick ice! To each their own ppl if guidelines say 3 inches is enough then it must be what evs all i know is im excited to get out. Already seeing ppl on crooked lake in andover. Really now lets stop with these ice thickness threads And stop with the whole ego about being so responsible about things i already read from lots of ppl on here that they are going out this weekend yet were all arguing about how its not safe yet. Just relax and watch ppl fall thru the ice or just watch ppl fish it can happen and it wont so quit with the bickering and lets talk fishing im going to try and head out to coon lake or ham lake this weekend unless Anyone wants to point me to a lake with crappies this will be my first time. Nuttin but a hand auger some jigs hooks sinkers and gulp red waxies. Maybe pick up some real waxies too. Plus got my rod and my homemade spring bobber ready to test out and hopefully catch fish

[reinhard1]

ice thickness threads are very popular for one reason. it's for people that are excited about getting out there but are interested in their safety as well. Ham lake has a lot of crappies but are generaly on the small side. i do go there for pike since it is close and pickled pike are tasty as well as fish patties. coon lake is also a good place for crappies for numbers. linwood has some crappies with some 10 inchers in the mix. also a good place for decent pike. good luck.

[NICjockey]

"...For me, it just isn't worth it. Just my .02"

Exactly. It's no fun if you're too worried to focus on fishing.

My plan is too live long enough to know the ice well enough that I COULD be a cocky jerk and say 'stay home and leave the fish to the real men.' I hope by then I have the wisdom to watch my tongue.

[dougger222]

The 2.5 inches of ice last night held us up very well. Some guys came down and asked how thick and when we said 2.5 they thought we were crazy for being out there.

Lots of people fishing very few catching fish!!!

We managed 5 eyes between 2-4 pounds so all in all not too bad for first ice outing.

[FishinFools]

Saw a guy in a full size pick up driving (doing doughnuts) all over a lake near St Francis tonight. Thickest ice I found in drilling 20 holes was 4". Crazy.

[mrklean]

natural selection right there