Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If you want access to members only forums on HSO, you will gain access only when you Sign-in or Sign-Up .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member. ?

Safe to drive on ice?

comicdog

By comicdog
in Ice Fishing

 Share

Recommended Posts

Gissert Veteran

Gissert

Posted
Posted

That is a tough question to answer, even more so this year.

The DNR has a good guideline on their HSOforum.

The Corps of Engineers has some great reading about loads on ice sheets as well. That is where I learned a lot about how ice behaves under stress.

One thing to consider this year is the ice is already carrying a heavy load with the snow cover. This stresses the ice, and this weight must be conisdered when you add vehicle/pedisterians to it. If the ice is flooding, then it is stressed to a cretain degree because it is sagging from the snow load and water is coming up thru the cracks.

This stress in not gone until the water on top freezes and consolidates to the ice below.

I was fishing on 7 inches of ice yesterday. When I drilled my holes, it quickly flooded to a depth of an inch or so. Not enough to concern me greatly, but it did remind me that the ice is sagging from the snow load. I went back today, and a 10 foot circle was consolidated where I drilled yesterday. Outside that circle, it was still we underneath. Pretty sobering, considering it was minus 8 last night and never got much above zero today.

Some of the larger lakes barely had a cap on them before the snow came. I am hearing reports of 8 inches of ice, with only two nearby.

This is going to be a tough year....

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grant Pearson Mentor

Grant Pearson

Posted
Posted

while fishing Mille Lacs earlier today, we (Sandmannd, fishingrookie123 and I) saw an older blazer driving on the ice plowing snow. we were sitting on 7-9 inches of ice. We could feel the ice sag with the vehicle 30-40 yards away. Not a good. Still not really safe to drive on....

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • rundrave
      Random Daily Pics

      By rundrave · Posted

      Sorry to hear that Duff. Will give my GSP's an extra scratch behind the ear for you guys today
    • Wanderer
      Random Daily Pics

      By Wanderer · Posted

      Aw, man, sorry to hear that.  Shed some tears and remember her well.  They all take a piece of our hearts with them; some more than others.
    • Mike89
      Random Daily Pics

      By Mike89 · Posted

      yes sorry for your loss..  our dogs are always special...
    • smurfy
      Random Daily Pics

      By smurfy · Posted

      Truly sorry to hear that duffman! I know that feeling.  Keep the good memories  
    • Duffman
      Random Daily Pics

      By Duffman · Posted

      Chamois passed away this weekend a couple days short of her 13th bday. What a great dog to hang out with here at home and on distant adventures. Gonna miss ya big time my little big girl.
    • Crow Hunter
      New boat question

      By Crow Hunter · Posted

      Sounds pretty sweet, alright. I will check them out, thanks.
    • Wanderer
      New boat question

      By Wanderer · Posted

      If you really want to treat your wife (and yourself) with a remote operated trolling motor, the Minn Kota Ulterra is about easy as it gets.  Auto stow and deploy is pretty awesome.  You just have to turn the motor on when you go out and that the last time you have to touch it.   24V 80lb.  60 inch shaft is probably the right length for your boat.  They ain’t cheap - about $3k - but neither one of you would have to leave your seat to use it all day.
    • Crow Hunter
      New boat question

      By Crow Hunter · Posted

      Wanderer, thanks for your reply. I do intend for it to be 24 volt, with a thrust of 70-80. Spot lock is a must (my wife is looking forward to not being the anchor person any more).  With my old boat we did quite a lot of pulling shad raps and hot n tots, using the trolling motor. Unlikely that we will fish in whitecaps, did plenty of that when I was younger. I also need a wireless remote, not going back to a foot pedal. We do a fair amount of bobber fishing. I don't think I will bother with a depth finder on the trolling motor. I am leaning toward moving my Garmin depth finder from my old boat to the new one, just because I am so used to it and it works well for me. I am 70 years old and kinda set in my ways...
    • Wanderer
      New boat question

      By Wanderer · Posted

      Dang, new content and now answers.   First, congrats on the new boat!   My recommendation is to get the most thrust you can in 24V, assuming a boat that size isn’t running 36V.  80 might be tops?  I’m partial to MinnKota.     How do you plan to use the trolling motor is an important question too.     All weather or just nice weather?   Casting a lot or bait dragging?   Bobber or panfish fishing?   Spot lock?  Networked with depth finders?  What brand of depth finders?
    • smurfy
      Time for a smoke

      By smurfy · Posted

      Nords!

  • Topics

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept