How much ice before you will fish?

[walleyeking19]

4" for me. No fish is worth taking a swim.

[Sam Smith]

Thanks for all the replies.

[amateurfishing]

if i go by last seasons crazy winter when some were driving is when i felt confident to walk, then u saw the news & it was still questionable

[skee0025]

4 if I know the lake well, 6 if I dont. The worst is sitting on crystal clear ice, even when you know its safe. I get really jumpy when its like that. I know its good ice but still get creeped out when it starts to sing..

[pikestabber]

However much is out there tomorrow, that's how much I feel comfortable fishing

I know 2" of clear, black ice is okay by me, but I feel better each time I see it's grown since the last trip.

[muskE]

If you can hear your footstep in front of you and you bounce when you stop it's probably too thin.

I have kids now and 6" is my minimum.

[BobT]

I don't start to feel comfortable until there's about 6". Even then it's a bit unnerving for me because I know it isn't 6" all over.

[morepower02]

Fished 3" today, walk with a chisel when it's thin.

[shizzy]

4" minimum, usually wait for 6" and I wear a life vest under my coat till there is at least 8"

[th64]

2'' would probably be fine if I knew it was consistent, but you never are sure-so I like 4-6. Another big factor is my wife!

[KG243]

8" for me. I have a wife and three kids that depend on me and I would hate to let them down over a fish.

[JakeJ_Mn]

About 3" if it's not too far and the ice is clear. Familiarity with the lake is key. I always wear a life jacket early with ice picks. I won't go alone and keep a rope handy walking about 50 feet apart. Checking the ice every few steps with a heavy chisel. Extra clothes in the truck just in case and cell phone in the sled in a waterproof case. If I think it's unsafe I stay home. At least 16" to 18" before my truck and wheelhouse go on(I like to see a lot of others driving out first)

You can buy many pounds of fish for the cost of a funeral.

[mr_jman]

3" on most of the less than 6' deep SW Minnesota lakes i have to fish around here. A few more inches and I feel pretty comfortable fishing all (like 2 total) of the lakes that actually get over 10' deep.

[cavalierowner]

I am very conservative. I wait til I see others have been out on the ice for at least a week (of cold weather) and then go only where others have been. I'll let other people try out the early or unknown ice.

[Josh_F]

4" minimum now, if under 6' deep, 6" of over 6'. im Farly large and already fell thru with 3" last week(second trip out) thankfully was still only under 4'deep, but this is one of those crazy cruddy winters.

northern WI and its mid dec for crying out loud, and its raining..

so i wont even be trying to get back on the ice till after new years