by Chris Haugen
Once again the shorter days and the cooler temps bring another ice fishing season. Early ice can bring some of the best catches of the season, but ice safety is of key importance in making your trip a total success. Who will you brag to if you don’t make
it home?
First and foremost, use the buddy system. If you are alone let your spouse or a friend know where you are going. When you reach your destination, call them and let them know you are heading out on the ice and give them a time frame of when to expect a call that you are setup. Also call when you are set up and again when you are packing up.
Early ice can vary in thickness just feet from where you are. Depth, springs and current can affect thickness greatly especially early season. You can log onto the Minnesota DNR’s website for safe ice conditions. It is important to check ice thickness as you go. A heavy bar tapped on the ice with force or stopping to drill a hole frequently are a couple ways to stay safe. Include a set of ice picks in you gear and have them easily accessible. It is a good idea to keep them looped around your neck by tying them together with a piece of rope. They will be a key tool in your survival if you break through. Also keep a dry set of clothing in your vehicle.
If you are unfortunate and break through, here are a few tips in saving your own life. It is important not to panic. Do not remove your clothing; the trapped air will actually help you float. Turn your body back towards the direction you were walking. Use your ice picks to grip the ice and pull yourself out of the water. Do not stand up; roll your body away from where you broke through. Once you reach your vehicle remove you wet clothing and put on your dry clothes. If you have symptoms of hypothermia, seek medical attention immediately.
Hopefully these few simple safety tips keep you dry and warm this season. Tight lines to everyone and fish on!
Chris Haugen is the founder of FMAreaAngler.com. He’s enjoyed fishing as long as he can remember and felt that the Fargo-Moorhead area needed a site that focused on our area lakes.
