Ontario IceFishing Hut Operator Services Logo

Icefishing Safety and Tips

By Iain Loveman

Rules for Ice Fishing

Simple and Effective Ice Picks

Simple and Effective Homemade Ice Picks

Cut off 6" from a broom handle
Pound a nail in one end and grind to a point
Drill a hole thru the other ends and insert a cord long enough to thread thru your coat arms and across the shoulders leaving enough length to grip them in each hand.

Recommended Ice Thickness

2 inches or less STAY OFF

4 inches is Generally Safe for Ice Fishing Foot Traffic

5 inches Snowmobile

8 to 12 inches Car or Small PickUp

12 to 15 inches Medium PickUp

Remember:

Ice is NEVER SAFE. Even if ice is a 12 inches thick in one area, it could be only inches thick a few feet away!

NEVER trust ice. It's ability to be safe can be influenced by many factors.

HYPOTHERMIA

Loss of body heat to the water, is a major cause of deaths in boating and ice fishing accidents.

The leading cause of death is listed as drowning; but, often the primary cause is hypothermia.

It should also be noted that alcohol lowers the body temperature around two to three degrees by dilating the blood vessels.

Do not drink alcohol around cold water.

Keep in mind, wind and rain can also cause severe hypothermia.

If your boating a properly worn lifejacket and raingear are a must and a flotation suit for icefishing.

The following chart shows the effects of hypothermia in water:

Water Temperature

Exhaustion

Survival Time

Over 80°

Indefinite

Indefinite

70° to 80°

3 to 12 Hours

3 Hours to Indefinite

60° to 70°

2 to 7 Hours

2 to 40 Hours

50° to 60°

1 to 2 Hours

1 to 6 Hours

40° to 50°

30 to 60 Minutes

1 to 3 Hours

32.5° to 40°

15 to 30 Minutes

30 to 90 Minutes

32.5

Under 15 Minutes

Under 15 to 45 Minutes



Fishing Article Of Interest: Locating Icefishing Spots




Recommended Ice Thickness Chart

Rapala Ultra Lite Lure Kit
Rapala Ultra Lite Lure Kit


Rapala Combo Pack 6 1/2 Pliers / 5 1/2 Forceps
Rapala Combo Pack 6 1/2 Pliers / 5 1/2 Forceps


LUTER 100Pcs Lead Fishing Weight Sinkers
LUTER 100Pcs Lead Fishing Weight Sinkers


KastKing Kestrel Spinning and Ice Fishing Reel
KastKing Kestrel Spinning and Ice Fishing Reel