OutdoorMN News - On thin ice – teach kids the dangers of ice

[Rick]

Now is the time to talk with kids about the dangers of ice. Ice thickness varies greatly on lakes, ponds and rivers throughout the state. Some water bodies have none, while others have several inches, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

“Ice, especially early ice with snow cover, is extremely deceptive because you can’t see dangerous cracks or the thickness of the ice under the snow,” said DNR Conservation Officer Adam Block. “Parents need to teach their kids that ice is never 100 percent safe. If your child is near the ice, you should be near your child.”

With many children out of school for holiday breaks, they may look toward newly forming ice for entertainment.

“In addition to checking conditions locally and being prepared with an ice safety kit, anyone recreating on ice should be wearing a life jacket or float coat,” said Lisa Dugan, DNR recreation safety outreach coordinator. “A life jacket is the one piece of equipment that increases your odds of not drowning from cold water shock, hypothermia or exhaustion should you fall through the ice.”

Ice safety guidelines
No ice can ever be considered “safe ice,” but following these guidelines can help minimize the risk:

• Always wear a life jacket on the ice (except when in a vehicle).
• Children should never be unsupervised around ice.
• Caution children to stay off ponds, streams, and other bodies of water.
• A thin coating of ice on a pond or lake does not mean it is safe.
• Check ice thickness at regular intervals – conditions can change quickly.
• Before heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts.
• Avoid channels and rivers.

The minimum ice thickness guidelines for new, clear ice are:

• 4 inches for ice fishing or other activities on foot.
• 5-7 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
• 8-12 inches for a car or small pickup.
• 12-15 inches for a medium truck.
• Double these minimums for white or ice covered with heavy snow.

For more information, visit mndnr.gov/icesafety and mndnr.gov/boatingsafety.

Discuss below - to view set the hook here.

[monstermoose78]

This moose does not float as @Cret Jigs can attest too!

[BobT]

Never assume anything when it comes to ice. Back in 2004 I was headed out on my first ice fishing trip of the year. I decided to go out on Osakis up near Battle Point. On my way to the lake I was wondering whether or not the ice was thick enough to drive on. When I got to the Battle Point access I could see some vehicle tracks on the ice and there was a large permanent house just off the end of Battle Point so I figured it was probably okay.

 

I went out about 50 yards and thought I'd check the ice so I got my power auger fired up and drilled a hole. Found about 13" - 14" of ice. Should be good to go, so I thought. 

 

My thought was to go out about another 50 yards or so to fish near the bottom of the breakline on the east side of Battle Point, not too far from where that permanent house was sitting. I fired up my auger to drill a hole and almost fell on my face when it went through within just a couple turns. There was only about 5" of ice!! 

 

Looking at my truck, I placed my auger back into the box, left the truck door open, and slowly backed off the lake and went home to change my shorts. Where my truck was sitting I know it would have been over 30' deep and probably closer to 40'. Freaked me right out.