Early ice is tempting, but caution is needed

Many “hard water” anglers wait patiently through the fall for ice to start forming on their favorite lake. The lure of “early ice” has been the downfall, literally, of more than one angler.

Some say this period is the best fishing, and while that may be true in some cases, it does call for extra caution as well. With the days getting colder and the nights well below freezing, ice is starting to build on area lakes in secluded bays and other slack areas protected from the wind. This has ice anglers dreaming about grabbing a quick limit of fish for a family fish fry. But early ice poses special issues.

While no ice is safe ice, this is especially true of early ice. Conditions can change quickly, and even a slightly warmer sunny day, or some moving water, can mean ice that was walkable just a few short hours ago, is no longer safe, or may even be non-existent. Couple that with the fact that there are fewer people out during early ice season, problems can become insurmountable in short order. 

Before walking on the ice, the recommendation is that there should be at least four inches of good, solid black ice. Snowpack and/or slushy conditions will mean thicker ice is needed to support the same weight. But even with thick, solid ice formation, there can be places that are weak and spots that remain open for various reasons.

Safety gear

While an ice spud is a great idea any time an angler is headed out onto the ice, early ice almost demands one. An angler can probe the ice in front of them as they walk out to ensure the ice is thick enough to hold them.

Ice picks have proven invaluable to more than one angler in years past. Some ice fishing suits even have ice picks already embedded in the suit. Should an angler go through the ice, he or she can use these picks to find purchase on the ice and hopefully pull themselves out. From there they can crawl away from the hole, keeping their body weight evenly distributed across the ice until they are back on safe ice. After that an angler can stand up and get back to land, some dry clothes, and a heated area such as a house or vehicle.

A floatation suit, or “float suit” is another tool that has helped save anglers in many different situations. Most ice anglers neglect to wear personal floatation devices while ice fishing. A float suit serves the same purpose while also keeping the angler warm. The suit is a jacket and usually bibs that are Coast Guard approved for floatation. Wardens from the Department of Natural Resources wear float suits while patrolling on snowmobile in the winter. Should something happen were an angler falls through the ice, the suit will keep their head above water. It is not usually hypothermia that causes the most problems for people who fall into the water. 

It is usually the gasp reflex people experience when they fall into cold water that is the bigger issue. A person gasps when the cold water hits them. If their head is under water at that time, they take water into their lungs. This can cause a person to panic. If they do not somehow float back up to the surface, this causes them to drown. The float suit will keep the person above the water. Even if they initially plunge into the water to the point their head is submerged, the suit will quickly bring them back to the surface, where they can then clear their lungs. 

A whistle can attract the attention of anyone nearby. Whistles are sold in sporting good stores and are inexpensive. But having one hanging around the neck of an angler who falls through the ice could prove invaluable. When the float suit brings the person back the to surface and they clear their lungs and airway of water, they can then grab that whistle and draw the attention of anyone  nearby. This can mean rescue much more quickly.

A fully charged cellphone can prove important as well. Anglers should remember, however, that battery power will deteriorate more quickly in cold weather. If an angler is using mapping or an app on their cellphone for navigation, or to retrieve waypoints on the ice, the odds of the cellphone battery draining completely is much higher in the winter than during summer adventures. 

Personal locator beacons can be a good alternative to using a cellphone for waypoints and navigation. Users can place a waypoint on the vehicle or access point to the lake, for instance, and always know how far in which direction they need to travel to reach safety. This can be helpful in the dark or during a sudden snow squall. These devices can also be used to send a message to someone waiting at home. Perhaps an angler meant to be home earlier, but fishing was good so they stayed put. They can relay that information to a person at home or elsewhere who be concerned that the person has run into problems. If problems do occur, an angler can use the S.O.S. feature to signal for help. These units use satellites to communicate, making them an especially great option where cell service is limited.

Do not go it alone

Anglers who head out with other anglers are most likely to have help nearby should they need it. While it is important, especially on early ice, to leave space between anglers, having others within shouting distance can also keep an accident from becoming a tragedy.

If you break through

Once a person has fallen into the water and has gotten back onto the ice, time is of the essence. They need to get to a warm place first and foremost. Their wet clothing should be removed and replaced with dry clothing. Even removing wet clothing and wrapping in a dry, warm blanket is preferable. If another angler or friend is available, that person should stay with the recovering angler until they are fully recovered to ensure they do not go into shock or succumb to hypothermia. If there is a concern of either of these conditions, medical attention should be sought immediately.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].