Be careful of the Ice right now info and Rescue yourself video!!

[Rick]

Ice Thickness should never be considered safe or uniform in thickness over a body of water.

added 12/31/05- With this years initial thin layer of ice, then snow/slush on top, then the warm weather and now another snowfall ice conditions are likely to be very unpredictable.

Please be safe out there and do not risk your safety or your life on the ice.

If you do go through it might help if you viewed this video link prior to venturing out - Click here.

[rod bender]

It wouldn't hurt to bring the video back to the top that we watched last year. It told you what to do and what not to do when/if you fell in. Does anybody know where that might be?

[schweady]

That would be Professor Popsicle, I assume. (Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht of the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg)

His videos will make the most confident ice angler think again before going out too early.

[FishPiCkLeS]

That really is some great stuff to see. I would encourage anyone reading this post to check out the videos. I know as and EMT I learned alot of things that would help me if I were not only to be in that situation myself, but also to relay to other rescuers in my area. It will make us as a whole alot safer and better rescuers.

Pickle

[DaveyG]

Thanks for the link, Rick. Those videos were very informative. And who knows... what I learned might save my life one day.

[Jughead]

I know that this is proabbly a yearly question so I apologize; but what is the "magical" rate of ice creation on a day-to-day basis? Example- we are going to have a stretch of 8 days that never are above 32 degrees (and will go negative often). In 8 days, how much ice is made?

Just curious!

[tunrevir]

I have used 1/2" per night for each night it is below freezing. This is conservative but I have not ever fallen in on early ice and am usually one of the first people out there. I typically have waited for that magical 4 inches or more. Check early ice often, travel with a partner, carry spikes to get out if you go in and wear a life vest under your jacket. It insulates and will help you if you fall in. Also let someone know where you will be fishing and when you plan to be back. Good fishing!

Tunrevir~

[harvey lee]

Ice not uniform yet.Went out this a.m. and check at shore again since two days ago when I found 3.5 and today found 5.About 60 yards out after checking 5 different spots ther was only two inches.Its still going to be awhile around me.This was checked on a small shallow lake and not a bigger one.

[Captain B.R.K]

I just read Star Tribune on-line and it stated that a dog was rescued by the local sheriff's department on Pleasant Lake. That should tell you something.

Be careful this weekend!

[dewoutdoor70]

checked the ice around monticello,1 to 2 inches if that,couple more cold days we will be out

[I'llTakeWhatiCanGet]

Not to rub it in or anything, but there'll probably be some vehicles on the ice up here by the weekend With the cold snap we've got going there should be a good foot or so by then.

[OldBear]

The temperatures have been real good for making ice but its deceiving because of the snow cover where you'll find thin ice to slush. Be careful...

[MSchmillen]

A customer of mine checked out Waconia yesterday and said it was not making ice like you would expect. This snow cover is killing us!

[delmuts]

folks!!PLEASE BE CAREFULL!! we had a man go through and drowned to day here in iowa. by waterloo.

[dsludge]

Ice is NEVER safe. Stay off the lakes until the ice is about a foot thick. You may see a few crazies out there now, but it doesn't justify risking your life on thin ice!

Even when it seems safe and the road has 16 inches of ice, try checking the thickness on the ice roads and you'll see that it differs widely. Anyone else see the new red pickup that went through the well-traveled ice road on Tonka just east of Arcola bridge off of Co. Rd. 15 a couple of years ago?

BE SAFE, STAY OFF THE ICE

MWFM

[tylerflom89]

dsludge, not familar with MWLM? What's that mean?

[Philo]

I was fishing a north metro lake this morning and left because I felt the ice was too thin. (barely 4"). Much to my shock, when I left the lake guys were driving out with four wheelers pulling permanent houses!?!?!?

Sadly, I wouldn't be suprised if someone falls through the ice this weekend somewhere in the metro.

[oil painter]

Fergus Mor McERC and I were on waconia when 2 hefty's and their house and 4 wheeler went by what do you think it weighs? we asked 1000- 1300lbs are they nuts?? NOT US!!!3 1/2 -4 isnt that thick for that much weight ..Watch the news tonite and see the reckless ones on breaking news!!!Even in mid winter ice can never be 100%safe, you just live with the odds.