Wherever you live in Canada, ice fishing will give you a truly unique fishing experience. There is nothing better than going out onto a frozen lake to experience the opportunity of ice fishing for one of the many species of fish Canada has to offer the hard water angler.
For Northern Ontario residents spending time on the frozen surface of a river or lake is part of winter. Knowing how to do so safely is a matter of life and death.
There are common sense, precautionary measures that should be followed when you plan to spend time on a frozen lake or river. Using good judgment is critical.
You can probably apply the old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" to just about anything. When it pertains to ice fishing, it could be worth your life.
Physical Condition – Anyone who goes out on the ice should be in reasonably good physical condition and be able to sustain periods of intense exertion if an emergency arises (for example falling through the ice or rescuing someone else that has fallen through). Being able to swim or at least stay afloat will reduce the chance of panic occurring.
Never go ice fishing alone and let someone know exactly where you are going and when you plan to return. Never go out on an ice surface if there is any question of safety.
Weather in Northern Ontario can change quickly, especially when out ice fishing. As with any outdoor excursion, ice fishing is not without risk. By dressing correctly your ice fishing experience will be very comfortable. Employ common sense and good judgment! Protective gear is available to help prevent frostbite. Outdoor apparel specifically made for frigid conditions is available in sporting goods stores. Innovative socks and boots that help prevent frostbite if used properly are good investments.
Wear Layered Clothing – Choose clothing that provides protection from cold temperatures, wind and precipitation while at the same time allowing you mobility. Use a layering system. By layering you make it easier to remove or put clothes back on if you are getting too hot or too cold. Your initial layer should be thermal underwear that draws moisture away from your body. Your next layer should be insulating material such as fleece, wool or flannel. Your last or outside layer, your jacket, should be a down-filled, have a hood and should be windproof and waterproof.
When you select clothing, keep in mind the possibility that you could fall through the ice. Clothing that severely restricts your ability to swim or stay afloat is not a good choice. Hip boots or waders should never be worn as they can fill with water, restricting movement and adding weight.
Some things to remember:
- Never wear cotton socks as a first layer. Cotton absorbs moisture and increases the risk of frostbite. Your first sock layer should be made of nylon or rayon. Next, cotton may be used but wool is preferred. Wool pulls moisture away from the feet, thus your skin stays drier.
- Boots should be insulated and waterproof. Many lightweight boots now come with a layer of Thinsulate, which come in levels of 1,000 to 1,500. Inch for inch, there is no other insulation that keeps you warmer. Thinsulate insulation provides twice the warmth of other synthetic insulation, and one and one-half times the warmth of down. Nothing keeps you warmer. Always wear your boots loosely fitting to avoid cutting off circulation of blood to your lower extremities.
- When otherwise properly garbed, 75%-80% of all heat loss from the body occurs from an uncovered head. Subsequently, a warm hat that covers the ears is extremely beneficial in maintaining body heat. “Survive Outdoors” endorses Head Socks. Made of a variety of materials including wool, the Head Sock is designed to be pulled down over the head and tucked in at the neck, thereby reducing heat loss from the neck area. The Head Sock, accompanied with a hat, provides the necessary warmth for your head. Wear a warm wool, fleece or knitted hat. Avoid cotton because it does not hold heat well, especially when wet.
- Mittens are much warmer than gloves. Most outdoorsmen know this. Mittens decrease the chance of frostbitten fingers. Somewhat cumbersome when working with rods, mittens are available with removable fingers for the short time you may need fine motor skills. Make sure to wear neoprene or waterproof nylon mittens to protect your hands from the icy water as you land the big catch.
Carry With You
q Include items for testing and measuring the ice surface as well as items for rescue or self rescue. Take a heavy ice chisel, an ice drill or auger, a measuring tape or stick that can be hooked under the bottom edge of the auger hole and possibly a perforated label for cleaning ice out of the auger hole.
q Take a small bag of sand or kitty litter to sprinkle around your ice hole for better traction
q Take an additional set of dry clothes and socks in case you get wet
q Take a cell phone
q Carry emergency flares that can be seen if you need rescuing in a storm.
q Take a compass.
q Take high energy snacks and warm drinks to fuel you through the cold day
q Take a rope to use in case a companion falls through the ice
q Take a First Aid kit in case you need to treat a minor injury
q Carry matches stored in a waterproof container in case you need to start a fire
q Take a PFD seat cushion to use as a seat or flotation in case you fall through the ice
q Take hand and foot warmers and a reflective “space” blanket.
Is the ice safe yet? Each year, as the ice begins to form on Ontario lakes, the Ministry of Natural Resources receives hundreds of phone calls from anxious anglers who all have the same basic question: "Is the ice safe yet?”
The truth is, the only way to be safe on the ice is to stay off of the ice. If ice is a foot thick in one area on a lake, it can be one inch thick just a few yards away. It’s impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance, thickness, daily temperature, or snow cover alone. Ice strength is actually dependent on all four factors, plus water depth under the ice, the size of the water and water chemistry, currents, and distribution of the load on the ice.
Better to lose your fish and all of your equipment
than to lose your life
When you arrive at the water’s edge, visually survey the ice. Look for open water and for wet spots on the ice which would be a sign of recent changes in water levels.
Listen for loud cracks or booms coming from the ice. In a river this could mean the ice is about to break up or move. On a lake, these noises may be harmless responses to expansion and contraction.
Look for an easy access to the ice, free of cracks or piled, broken ice. If you are taking a vehicle or other equipment out on to the ice go out on foot first. Probe ahead of yourself with the ice chisel. If the chisel ever goes through, carefully turn around, retrace your steps back to shore and return another day. After getting on the ice, others in a group should follow in the leader’s steps in single file but stay at least 10 feet apart.
Any recent large snowstorm creates a new load on the ice. If the new snow is heavy enough, the ice sheet underneath will sag and submerge below the water level. Water will flood the top of the ice sheet through cracks and saturate lower layers of the snow. Until this slush is frozen, stay off the ice.
Contrary to what you might expect, a rapid air temperature drop makes an ice sheet brittle and the ice may be unsafe for 24 hours or more.
Here are a few general guidelines for use by winter recreation enthusiasts to lessen their chances for an icy dip or worse.
q Check at the access point to see if there are signs that indicate an aeration system is in operation on the lake. Aerators keep areas of water open to provide oxygen for fish. The ice can be weakened many yards beyond where the ice is actually open. Stay well outside the fenced areas indicated by diamond shaped thin ice signs.
q Wait to walk out on the ice until there are at least 4 inches of clear, solid ice. Thinner ice will support one person, but since ice thickness can vary considerably, especially at the beginning and end of the season, 4 inches will provide a margin of safety. Some factors that can change ice thickness include flocks of waterfowl and schools of fish. By congregating in a small area, fish can cause warmer water from the bottom towards the surface, weakening or in some cases opening large holes in the ice. Avoid areas where there are feeder streams and springs where the current can make the ice thin. Stay away from areas that are dark, honeycombed or porous ice.
q Many fishermen will go out with 2.5 inches of good ice for walking, but the recommended is 4 inches, 5-6 inches for sleds (Snow Machines, Snowmobiles)
8 -12 inches for light cars and 14-16 inches for full sized trucks. Care must be taken, because sometimes ice will not form in areas with swift currents, leaving open areas which freeze with much thinner ice. On the Great Lakes, off-shore winds can break off miles-wide pans of ice stranding large numbers of fishermen. Late-winter warm spells can destroy the texture of the ice, which, while still of the required thickness, will not adequately support weight. It is called "rotten ice" or soft ice and is exceedingly dangerous. Some ice-fishermen will continue to fish, since even with the bad ice normally 8 inches is more than enough. Fisherman may carry a self-rescue device made of two spiked handles connected by a string to pull them out of the water and onto the ice.
q Contact a local resort or bait shop for information about known thin ice areas.
q Go out with a buddy and keep a good distance apart as you walk out. If one of you goes in the other can call for help (Carry cell phones). The companion can also attempt a rescue if one of you is carrying rope or other survival gear.
q Wear a life jacket. Life vests or float coats provide excellent flotation and protection from hypothermia (loss of body temperature). Never wear a life jacket if you are traveling in an enclosed vehicle, however. It could hamper escape in case of a breakthrough.
q Carry a pair of homemade ice picks or even a pair of screwdrivers tied together with a few yards of strong cord that can be used to pull yourself up and onto the ice if you do fall in. Be sure they have wooden handles so if you drop them in the struggle to get out of the water, they won’t go straight to the bottom!
q Avoid driving on the ice whenever possible. Traveling on the ice in a vehicle, especially early or late in the season is simply "an accident waiting to happen."
q If you drive across wet cracks, your path should be as close to perpendicular to the cracks as possible, rather than parallel to them.
q Don’t drive across ice at night or when it is snowing. Reduced visibility increases your chances for driving into an open or weak ice area.
q Be prepared to bail out in a hurry if you find it necessary to use a vehicle. Unbuckle your seatbelt and have a plan of action in case you do breakthrough. Some safety experts recommend driving with the window rolled down and the doors ajar for an easy escape. Move your car frequently. Parking in one place for a long period weakens ice. Don’t park near cracks, and watch out for pressure ridges or ice heaves.
q Above all, avoid alcoholic beverages. Beer and booze increase your chances for hypothermia and increase the likelihood that you’ll make a stupid mistake that will cost you or a companion their life.
Other factors to consider
- Ice structure, and outdoor temperature. For example, an ice sheet forms on water, but if the water level drops after the initial ice sheet forms, it may be left unsupported near the shore. This occurrence is detectable by hearing a hollow sound when probing with an ice chisel. This is NOT a safe area to fish.
- It is also important to note that when the temperature stays above freezing greater than 24 hours, ice begins to lose strength. At that point, the rules of thumb given above will no longer represent safe conditions.
- Distinguish between ice and snow. Snow on top of ice may obscure the actual thickness of the ice.
If you have a gut feeling or concern that the ice might be too thin, STAY OFF THE ICE. Your desire to ice fish is not worth the risk of ice fishing on possibly dangerous ice. Use common sense and good judgment.
What to do if you fall through the Ice!
Many cars, trucks, SUVs, snowmobiles and fish houses fall through the ice each year. Current environmental regulations require the speedy recovery of the vehicle or structure in this situation. Divers must be hired and when the trouble occurs far from shore, helicopters may be employed for hoisting.
  
Having taken all of these precautions, you’re now going to try your luck at fishing. Walking out on the ice, you hear a crack and break through. Suddenly you find yourself immersed up to your neck in water so cold it takes your breath away. If you think that’s no big deal, try holding your hands in a bucket of ice water for more than a couple of minutes. If you can do it without extreme pain, you are tougher than the average person. If you decide on a plan before you actually fall in, survival chances are greatly improved
q Don’t panic, remain calm.
q Use your ice awls to pull yourself up onto the safe ice.
q If you do not have ice awls, try "swimming out," which lets your body rise and allows you to get onto firm ice.
q Use your legs to kick behind you to keep from going under.
q If you can't get to safety, call for help. Yell as loudly as you can.
q Slip your boots off to make treading water easier.
q Be sure to keep your clothes on as they will insulate you from the icy water
q Once on the ice, remain low and ensure you distribute your weight over as much of the ice surface area as possible.
If other people fall in, always remember to use:
Reach (reach out to them with a fishing pole)
Throw (throw a rope, a PFD or anything that floats)
Row (row or push a boat)
Go (call for help)
Other risks associated with ice fishing include carbon monoxide poisoning from fish house heaters and frostbite due to prolonged exposure to wind and low temperatures, although most new houses are fitted with air exchange systems that allow air flow preventing poisoning.
Remember
· Wear a personal floatation device and don't fish alone.
· Ice varies in thickness and condition. Always carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice as you proceed.
· Be extremely cautious crossing ice near river mouths, points of land, bridges, islands, and over reefs and springs. Current causes ice to be thinner over these areas.
· Avoid going onto the ice if it has melted away from the shore. This indicates melting is underway, and ice can shift position as wind direction changes.
· Waves from open water can quickly break up large areas of ice. If you can see open water in the lake and the wind picks up, get off!
· Carry a set of hand spikes to help you work your way out onto the surface of the ice if you go through. Holding one in each hand, you can alternately punch them into the ice and pull yourself up and out. You can make these at home, using large nails, or you can purchase them at stores that sell fishing supplies.
· Carry a safety line that can be thrown to someone who has gone through the ice.
· Leave your car or truck on shore. Every year many motor vehicles go through the ice on lakes, and people have drowned as a result.
· Heated fishing shanties must have good ventilation to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Open a window or the door part way to allow in fresh air.
Know When Enough is Enough - If you get wet, immediately change into dry clothes and seek out warmth. If you feel cold, it's because you are cold.
Keep an eye out for signs of frostbite (pale skin on exposed flesh). Seek medical assistance.
Watch out for signs of hypothermia (shivering, loss of judgment). Treat it with warm fluids, dry clothes, a blanket and warm shelter. Stop fishing if you become tired or cold.
Head for home. Remember that there will always be plenty of other days to go ice fishing.
Plan ahead, enjoy your time on the ice and get home safely.
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