Questionable ice

[fishinJohn]

Last year was my first ice season and since I do not live really far north I had to keep an eye on the condition of the ice quite a bit. I wonder if there are any good signs of weakened ice. First ice was uniform but late ice seemed to have more cracks, upheavals, puddles etc. I was not always sure if there was some type of ice to definately avoid. I know to stay away from areas with current or where a river-fed lake has the main flow through it and be most careful around the shoreline. If anyone can post pictures of typical weak ice or describe it it could be helpful. Nothing is better than testing it yourself but if there are signs of ice to avoid I would like to know about them. Thanks.

[hoggs222]

My rule of thumb is that I am never the first one out!

[JigginIsLife]

Well first thing is if you watch the news there is a guy from the twin cities that put his red f-150 through the ice last year. i cant remember his name or what lake, but when you see him driving accross the lake and then his truck goes in- its FINALLY SAFE TO WALK on it. haha(theres always somone dumb willing to be the first)

But honestly clear ice is the best normally formed from a calm day when the ice froze over. white ice normally comes from ice that has formed on a day when it was snowing, the water was choppy or the ice froze, melted, then unfroze. density of the ice as well. if you walk out on the ice and chip it with something and it comes off in chips its stronger ice, if it comes off in smaller peices such as white flakes or "snow balls" (the small ones that come down i dont know the correct term).

Like you said heaves are also a weak spot but judgeing by the size ie large then the ice underneith it should be thick enough -to cause that big of a heave, it has to have some force below it.

Not sure if im 100% but i will be corrected if wrong. there is such a vast ammount of knowledge here that its hard to be turned in a wrong direction, without the right one being closeby

[Shack]

JIL hit'er on the nail heard square!

I have been first out before! If it teaders between 2-4 inches, I will use a sheet of ply wood to sit on!

Be careful and wear a life vest if needed!

That or wait until people are going every where and then follow them!

Good luck!

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

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Well first thing is if you watch the news there is a guy from the twin cities that put his red f-150 through the ice last year. i cant remember his name or what lake, but when you see him driving accross the lake and then his truck goes in- its FINALLY SAFE TO WALK on it. haha(theres always somone dumb willing to be the first)

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Honestly that is about as close to the truth as you're gonna get!!

For good measure, next time we're out on the ice, drill a hole, & stick your hand in there for 30 seconds! It'll serve as a good wake up call for taking chances on risky ice.

Falling through the ice is one of my biggest fears. I have never been, and probably will never be comfortable on any ice.

[zamboni]

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My rule of thumb is that I am never the first one out!

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I use that rule of thumb when it comes to driving on the ice

[Shack]

Ya, Zamboni is correct!

I may be the first to walk on ice, but I am very sure I am not the first to drive on ice!

[Gissert]

I fear late ice MUCH more than new ice. Late ice can be so variable, even more so around shorlines.

[NAGORSKI]

I check the lake forums here and see what guys are saying, but bait shops or resorts are the ones who usually know what the conditions are like. And if your driving, stay on marked roads.

[Loogie]

I know this isn't exactly what you wanted, but it is a lot of good info on ice.

http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html

[Scott K]

I use to be alot braver than I am now. When I use to want to be the first knuckle head on the ice, chisel, someone to witness it or should I say just dont go out alone, life jacket is a good idea, but I never used one, ( its a wonder I am still alive). If there were a good 2-3 inches, it was safe to walk on, not saying the whole lake! I would focus on steep drop offs closer to shore so when I did fall in, it wasnt that far to get out. If you are a rookie at it, its best to just hold off until others are out there, and the bait shops are reporting safe ice! That is what I do now, I grew wiser! Except one outing last year on germany, I walked out to my favorite crappie hole, 2-3 inches, and along ways from shore.

I am not telling you the safe way to do this, just the stupid ways I use to!

[federline]

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My rule of thumb is that I am never the first one out!

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Ah, another believer in natural selection!

[Shack]

Might as well be the first! It is usually the second guy to go threw any ways .

[cold one sd]

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I check the lake forums here and see what guys are saying, but bait shops or resorts are the ones who usually know what the conditions are like. And if your driving, stay on marked roads.

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I have a friend that owns a bait shop and will never recommend driving on ice. I asked him about ice conditions last March when I called him and he said "We have around 31 inches, but I don't recommend driving on it.". Smart man. No one will ever blame him if they go through the ice.

[NAGORSKI]

Ha! I think that's under the cover your own azz policy!