How strong is the white slush ice? (experiences)

[hunt3r]

just wondering if any one has info from experience on the ice made from white slush. (Please dont just tell me stay off, ice isnt safe yet.) i only want to here from people that have been on it or have something else to say......I checked a few metro lakes today and some spot that had snow on them had 3 inches but once you chop a hole your standing in 6 + inches of water. The spots that did not have snow the snow had sunken the ice and there was 6 inches of white slush made ice and half inch of clear ice . what are peoples thoughts on the 6 inches of slush made ice? walk able? i didnt here any cracks or any thing while chipping and walking. thanks

[TruthWalleyes]

3" of ice with lots of snow pushing down on it... Probably not half as strong as 3" of clear ice with no snow. Play it safe and have a back up plan if you do fall in. It would make me nervous, but that hasn't necessarily slowed me down in the past... as long as i've got the preparations with to survive an incident.

[hunt3r]

3" of ice with lots of snow pushing down on it... Probably not half as strong as 3" of clear ice with no snow. Play it safe and have a back up plan if you do fall in. It would make me nervous, but that hasn't necessarily slowed me down in the past... as long as i've got the preparations with to survive an incident.

no i know i dont expect to get on the ice with the snow on top of it for over a week with our forcast of no wind and mild temps plus the weight of the snow getting wet made it crack alot. MY QUESTION is about the 6 inches of ice made by the slush that froze has any one fished on any thing like that were it is 90% ice from wet snow and half inch of good ice under it?

[Rick]

Snow does not mean safe ice

With the recent snowfall and cold weather, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding everyone, the ice in many parts of the state is still not thick enough for most recreational activities.

“We know people want to get out and enjoy the snow, but they shouldn’t put themself or anyone else in danger by going out on the ice,” said Capt. Greg Salo, DNR Regional Enforcement supervisor.

Currently, layers of snow are insulating already brittle ice making it even more dangerous.

“The ice was not safe before Sunday’s snow and now it’s going to take even longer for it to become thick enough for travel,” said Salo.

Snowmobilers need to be extremely cautious, Salo said, because riders might not realize several trails take them over ponds, wetlands and lakes.

Last winter, four people died after falling through thin ice.

DNR clear ice thickness recommendations are:

• 4 inches for walking.

• 5 inches for a snowmobile or ATV.

• 8-12 inches for a car.

• 12-15 inches for a medium-sized truck.

[TruthWalleyes]

no i know i dont expect to get on the ice with the snow on top of it for over a week with our forcast of no wind and mild temps plus the weight of the snow getting wet made it crack alot. MY QUESTION is about the 6 inches of ice made by the slush that froze has any one fished on any thing like that were it is 90% ice from wet snow and half inch of good ice under it?

Sure have.

It's early ice man. Bring some picks. I have a flotation suit, otherwise on sketchy ice i'll have a life jacket along also.

No right answer to your question.

I guess i'm just saying that whether you venture out on 2" of ice, or 20" of ice, Crp happens and you need to be prepared to save yourself. I won't tell anyone to stay off the ice, just to be prepared to be on ice.

[hunt3r]

^ i dont think any one is getting what im saying...... the snow weighted down what ice is there and the snow turned into 6 inches of ice ..... all i want to know is if people have fished on ice like that before any one who has please let me know. and there was safe ice befor the snow i was fishing in the metro 2 weeks ago on smaller lakes with a good 4 inches of ice before the warm up

[TruthWalleyes]

2 years ago would be a good example...Once the slush freezes it's almost as good as ice that wasn't once slush.

This happens every year. Snow falls, weighs down ice, people's boots get wet, slush freezes, people fish withough wet feet.

GO FOR IT - BRING PICKS

[Hawg]

I'm 100 miles north of you and our slush hasn't frozen solid yet, I don't know how your's could have. Be carefull of the ice, slush, ice sandwich effect.

[LightningBG]

Somewhere once I thought I heard to plan that white/slush/whatever ice was 1/2 as strong as clear. But I really dont know if thats true. I could have dreamed it up while wishing to go out. Or maybe it's just a lie I told to a significant other, so they wouldn't worry.

[hunt3r]

thank you truthwalleyes thats all i wanted to know obviously im not taking a sled out just cuzz its 6 inches but i just wondered if any one has fallen threw because it was the white ice and how thick it was if they did. i cant remember being on it were it was more than 50/50. also

i do have flotation bibs and pics on me in case

[LightningBG]

This is on the Massachusetts Fish and Game site.

Quote:

The figures in the table below are for clear, blue ice on lakes and ponds. Reduce strength values 15% for clear blue, river ice. Slush or snow (white) ice is only one-half the strength of blue ice and can be very treacherous. "Honeycombed" ice, which occurs in the spring or during major winter thaws as the ice is melting, is the most dangerous ice, and best avoided unless the angler is certain there is a safe layer of solid ice beneath the honeycombed surface.

[PurpleCatMan]

I went throught a few inches of white slush ice. It is not very strong stuff. It doesn't tend to crack like clear ice, but that is the nature of the slush (soft things don't crack), it is not an indication of strenght.

[TruthWalleyes]

also

i do have flotation bibs and pics on me in case

Good Man!

[hunt3r]

thanks lightning bg. and @ purple cat man how many inches was it?

[PurpleCatMan]

In most areas it was 4". Hard to say what it was where I went through, I had a different agenda at that point!

[BronzeBrother]

Two years ago we had the white ice on top of good ice and there were a few times while cutting holes you would get through the first layer and there would be a gap between the white ice and the good ice. The auger would do a quick drop after cutting three or four inches until it hit the good ice, made for a good pucker factor moment a few times... LOL! Especially when your truck was right next to you!