Early ice can offer the hard water angler some of the best fishing of the year, but can also be quite dangerous. Understanding the body of water you will fish and how to test the ice are the most vital tools used on early ice.
Of all the outdoor sports I've been involved in, ice fishing is likely the most dangerous. On the other hand, it also happens to be my favorite. Being over eager to get out early or to stay on late ice is typically the reason people go through. Knowing how to avoid and to test for thin ice is of utmost importance to the ice angler. Understanding the body of water you will fish can have an impact on the safety and success of the trip. Research new bodies of water first, then head out for some safe winter fun.
Many anglers choose to avoid ice all together because of its inherent danger. Rapid changes in weather, like this past week, can weaken what was safe ice within just a few days. Without the understanding of how to check ice and what safe ice is, these people are making the right decision, and staying off. I may have begun to sound like a broken record, but a yearly column on ice safety will surely make its way in upon completion of deer season. If the information provided prevents a single death over time, I hope the experts out there can accept the redundancy.
The truth is there is no such thing as safe ice. You can be injured by slipping and falling on ice, and it can be dangerous even when thick enough to safely walk on. The slippery nature of ice when wet can also make it hard to pull yourself out if you fall in. There have been tools created to prevent ice slippage, both for the feet and hands. Ice cleats or crampons attach to your boots, and they have studs or sharp spikes that dig into the ice to prevent slippage. Ice spikes are hand–held tools that enable you to pull yourself out of the water if the ice happens to break. There are many styles, but they all have a nail or nails embedded in the handle. To extract yourself easily using ice spikes, dig them into the ice as far out as you can reach comfortably, kick your feet and level your body as you pull at the same time. I have not used them myself, but all of the videos online showed people exiting the water within seconds while using them.
Before you leave the house, make sure that you have packed these items, it could save your life. I would start with an extraction rope then move to my emergency kit. The kit should include towels to dry yourself off, and warm clothing of all types to be changed into if you happen to fall through. I also recommend packing a sleeping bag and hand, foot or body warmers to more rapidly recover body heat. Step one is to be prepared if you go through; step two is preventing it from happening in the first place.
