Driving 3/4 ton truck on the ice

[GrumpyOldCrappie]

When do you think it will start becoming unsafe to drive a 3/4 ton truck on the lakes? We still have a good 20 inches of ice or better on most lakes. I was out today and I was getting a little nervous now that we're into March?

Thanks for your feedback!

[walleye-]

I would say that untill there is alot of slush and water at the access you should be fine. Need a week of warm weather to get to that point. As of now we are still making ice.

[hunter101]

well i wouldnt take many chances any more ive heard of bad spots

[fishersofmen]

As much ice as we've had all year. No need to get nervous yet.

[jigginjim]

I would say you could go another 2 weeks. But also watch the access it will tell you.

[dabaer]

i got a group of people goin out this weekend. we will be driving two one tons each with a wheelhouse behind them, and then one more 1/2 ton with a house behind it. all 3 will be next to each other. you should be good for a few more weeks...at least!!!

[Tyler23]

you should be fine for awhile yet. its been plenty cold lately. until we get the weather that doesnt even go below freezing at night i wouldnt worry about it.

[zamboni]

45+ degrees on thursday, and 40+ the rest of the week isn't going to help.

[danfall]

Ice thickness in the springtime is actually never the predictor of ice safety. I was on 24" of ice one March on foot and waves were echoing through the ice floe as I walked. The ice was soft and would not have held up a vehicle.

As for current conditions on specific lakes, pay close attention to regional temperatures before driving on the ice.

The DNR has established some guidelines based on temperatures.

I also have a 3/4 ton truck and it weighs 6000#s and I would watch temps closely.

[pikerliker]

You can also have safe ice on most of the lake with specific "bad spots" as a result of fish houses left out in the warm weather, rain, and wind that we had a few weeks back. There was a vehicle that went through on Madison Lake near where I live because of exactly that reason. There is solid ice on most of the lake but that area was bad because of the above listed reasons. There will be more of these "bad spots" as the temps warm again.

~piker

[BuckKiller]

your probably fine as long as the landing looks okay. thats always the first to go

[FishinChad]

It may be march, but the ice is still good. It will all depend on the weather...rain, wind, sun, and temps. Right now its fine but the warm up is here already and wont be long before the access's start making it dangerous to drive out. I will be walking after this weekend for sure, will probably drive this weekend if it looks ok.

[2448]

You are fine until the shore line starts to get soft

[Bulldoggr]

When in Doubt, don't drive out!!

[Gary Crichton]

I have taken my 1/2 ton on Winnie on April 5th and was in the boat on May 8th. That was scary enough for me. It all depend on the conditions, but like said there can and will be areas that have much less support than other areas.

I also got to witness the access to the lake give way and saw about 50 vehicles or so stranded on the lake at 6:ooPM awaiting a temp bridge to be built. It took about 3 hours. The vehicles could do nothing but wait, and I am sure got the feeling of being trapped.

G.C.

[shizzy]

I drilled through 20+ inches of nice clear ice this morning. You are still fine as of today.

[hunter101]

fished on a lake NW of hutch yesterday. 20+" of ice, there were a half dozen full size trucks out there. For me tho, im using the 4wheeler from here on out.

[Mainehazmt]

if ya feel nervous that might be the time to stop driving out

[Gary Crichton]

Just because the fish houses have to be off, doesn't mean the lake is melting fast. Just be cautious, or go north of the Frozen Tundra line where houses still have a little time to be out.

G.C.

[south_metro_fish]

It is still making ice for sure. Last Saturday it was cracking and booming and last night there seemed to be more ice then the last time I was out. I don't think these temps are going to do much and it is suppose to cool down next week anyways. All these warmer temps are doing is packing the snow down nice so it is easier to drive on.

[Desperado]

When do you think it will start becoming unsafe to drive a 3/4 ton truck on the lakes?

It will start becoming unsafe right before it gets too weak to hold a vehicle.

I have a 3/4 ton diesel. I only drive it on plowed resort roads AND only when the resort thinks it's more than OK to do so.

Otherwise, I consider an amphibious ATV to be an inexpensive insurance policy for my truck.

[dmengel]

I was going out on the lake today with my truck & I was a little worried about the ice, until I got to the landing & saw two one ton diesels with dump boxes on them hauling rock out across the lake to the far shore. They had them heaped up pretty good, I bet they had close to 4 ton on them. I watched them all afternoon & they did not seem worried at all going ove 40 ft of water.

[adamr]

when the water goes threw the ice then its unsafe until then give her the onion

[GrumpyOldCrappie]

adamr- LOL- I've never heard anyone beside myself and a friend of mine say "give her the onion". I thought we came up with that one on our own.

Did you come up with that on your own?

That's funny!

[TonkaBass]

Giver er the onions! Bunch of my buds say that expression too.