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Looking for thin ice advice...


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This year I'd like to push it a little bit, maybe walking out when the lake has started to open a bit, or the day before. Other than some cleats on your boots and the little ice picks on a rope tool, what do you guys recommend?

I don't want to be an idiot, I just want to push the boundaries of idiot a little bit, and see if I can catch some hungry fish.

I know there's got to be some people on this list that have jumped/waded/swam back to shore on the last day of ice fishing. Let's hear it.

earl

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Earl,

Not trying to ba a smart aleck... but I would recommend a life jacket, and make sure your life insurance is up to date. I know if I went through, I would last about 20 seconds in the cold water.

I have heard of people laying a ladder on the ice to help distribute their weight.

Be safe, and good luck.

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Earl you are not a married man are you? If not, please allow me to just live my boundries of idiot through you. If you are, I would like to congratulate you on choosing a wife who is so accepting of your adventures. As for me, the minute I started to load ice picks, rope, ladders, and a life jacket in the truck and then began talking about life insurance, I would be served papers!! Lol. Good Luck..........

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Well, I don't wanna risk my life. What level of ice are you guys okay with walking on? I'm sure everyone is different, and I know ice is unpredictable this time of year. 6"? 4"? 8"?

I guess my post sounded like I was a maniac. I'm 175lbs, will be carrying a bucket of stuff and a case of beer.

I won't be doing the ladder trick! lol

So, not pushing it, and not wearing a life jacket, what thickness is still relatively safe to walk on?

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It's not so much the thickness but the quality of the ice. It will get sponge like and weak to the point it will sag when you step and it could still be more than a foot thick. Be careful. I don't think it would be good to go out the day before ice out but maybe a few days. Each year it is different too. Depends on temps wind rain etc on how the ice deteriorates. It's not like there will be a big open hole and good ice(strong ice)right next to it like in early ice. Well it could happen but not as likely.

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my rule of thumb is if there is no one else out there i dont go out there. Borrow some cross country skis to help distribute your weight and put your cell phone in a zip lock and you should be more than fine!

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The life jacket advice is actually really good advice... you can get slimmer ones that you can wear under a heavy coat. The thing is, if you fall through, the getting back out is going to be harder because the ice will be more likely to disintegrate (sp?) when you try to pull yourself back out with picks. The water on the side of the ice will weaken it immediately and the picks will just chunk away at it. Just be careful and dont do anything your inner jiminy cricket says dont do

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Dang quit tryin to scare the guy. I am usaly am one of the first ones on the ice and the last ones off every year. Last year we used a boat to get out onto good ice one last time. The spud bar you used to check ice thickness at first ice will come in handy. A rope and boat throw cushion are a must and so is a good knowledge of the lake you will be on. Some of the years best ice fishing for pannies is just around the corner so just be safe use comon sence and trust your gut instinct about the ice.

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Nail a couple of 10' 2X6" on your boots, just kidding, you'll know if it's safe if not don't risk it! Spud it along as you go and use a PFD. good luck

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put floaties around your ankles, so when you fall through your feet go straight up in the water..haha jk dont do that on second thought wink

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If you drink that whole case of beer by yourself you won't be feeling worried about a thing!Life jacket is good advise and/or Ice fishing suit.(Not going to name brands here!)c63

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I waded out to ice last year, stepped up on it, and then checked every couple steps with a spud bar. The ice was still plenty safe, probably 20" thick. I couldn't put the spud through at all. This was on April 5 on Lake Minnetonka. I'd do it again no problem. Just be sure to use that spud bar regularly.

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Last year I went out the third weekend off April, Up towards Detroit Lakes. Now I wont suggest doing something like that around here, but the point I am trying to make is the ice conditions vary lake to lake and region to region. If you are going to fish late ice, do your research, check it out then slam the slabs!!

We have takin bouts out to the ice , fished on REALLY bad honey combed ice, could not even get within 25 feet of each other or ankles would start getting wet, if ya know what I mean. Doesnt mean we caught fish all the tho. Take a few precautions and enjoy..

P.S. the later you fish,,odds go up on the getting wet part of it. good luck.........

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Earl you are not a married man are you? If not, please allow me to just live my boundries of idiot through you. If you are, I would like to congratulate you on choosing a wife who is so accepting of your adventures. As for me, the minute I started to load ice picks, rope, ladders, and a life jacket in the truck and then began talking about life insurance, I would be served papers!! Lol. Good Luck..........
I think I would be served the same papers
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Fish with a buddy. I'm usually out into April and I've pulled a few guys out now. I just take my time packing up and let them lead the way off the lake grin. Granted we only fish 4-7 fow. But if you're by yourself, wear a life jacket or at least ice picks. It sure is a blast fishing in a tshirt pulling out fish but be safe out there. It certainly isn't worth a life.

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Hey, did you ever go out and attempt to win the Darwin award after this weather? heh

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LOL, no, the last I fished was saturday afternoon. There was some open shoreline, but we found a solid spot and walked out, had 8" or better. Caught one 6" sunny. If the fishing was great, I may have tried to get out again, but after all this rain, and no fish lately anyway, I'm gonna rig up the summer stuff.

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I think its over frown Was out last nite and got some nice fish but after the rain all day today I dont think it is going to be accessable on wed afternoon when I get a chance to get out

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Earl, just make sure to bring your brother Randy with you. You could tie a rope around Randy and tell him to run for shore if you fall through. It's a surefire plan, cause Randy will do anything you tell him to.

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