Aerator-How close is too close?

[acesinthehole]

I'm new to ice fishing and was wondering how close is to close when it comes to driving near an aerator. How far out does it affect/thin the ice? I have a F150 and a 2000lb trailer house what would be a safe distance?

Thanks

[eyebjim]

I would not got near at all without punching a bunch of holes where I want to drive. You never know where the currents may go from the airator.

When in doubt...DRILL!!!!

[Dave S]

As far away as you possibly can. With aerators running, the ice can vary too much.

If you're in Le Center, I know there's a few lakes with aerators in them, Green Leaf being the one I'm most familiar with. I think the access is far enough away that you should be ok. But I would definitely drill some holes prior to heading out. Carp will have the same effect as an aerator.

[gr81]

How close is too close??? In the water is TOO CLOSE.

I agree with LEP7MM. Drill a few holes to be sure of ice thickness and stay as far away as possible.

[deadeye]

Ya I would be drilling holes on the path I want to follow. Nothing beats actually knowing how thick the ice really is.

[Christopher Quast]

Ya I would be drilling holes on the path I want to follow. Nothing beats actually knowing how thick the ice really is.

Doesnt always help though. 2 years ago I had my house on Eagle lake and it has one and all season I had always taken the same path to and from house and one night after a few beverages I for some reason just decided instead of backing up I just went right around my house and BAMMO I dropped my rear tire through...

Last year I took a different path one day and I dropped the whole truck and I was pushing ice with my bumper and I had to pin it in 4 HIGH, and eventually had to shift all the way down do first gear to get back up onto the ice and this stretch lasted all of 50yds. The only thing I can come up with was that there was a huge water pocket due to the aerator which was a good 200yds away. Ice is NEVER truly safe 100%, especially when there is a aerator involved. The DNR usually stakes out a "SAFE" distance, but not in all cases. Due to this I have only been on that lake once since with my car,even though the fishing can be great out there. NO FISH WORTH MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even a 20lb walleye.

[TMF89]

...would I get to get a picture with the walleye before I died? lol

I'd drill, and follow others' tracks. I rarely ever go off the beaten path unless I really know the lake. Example up here at Bemidji. We have a road going out of the south end of the lake that's fully drivable/parkable. Go THREE feet off that, and it's a good foot and a half to two feet of snow and slush, with ice thickness going down to 8 inches. Now this was weeks ago, and obviously it's thickened, but at the time it was a little interesting to find, lol.

[hondarider550]

I would stay out as far as possible and not risk losing your truck and ice house... You really dont know how the currents are moving under the ice and in one place it may be 24" but in another it may be only 5". Not worth the risk...