Safe Ice?

[Anxious to Start]

Ok all you Minnesota and North Dakota Anglers. What are everyone's ideas on how thick the ice needs to be for it to be safe to start ice fishing?

[Gary Korsgaden]

My approach is ice is never safe!! Good advice to follow!!

[Burntside lake Guy]

4" to walk on and pull portable. 6" to 8" with my sled pulling a portable. 15" for my truck, which has a plow. just my opinion. The MN DNR website has ice conditions and guidelines. Also depends on what lake your on , spring fed, river, large small. Right now in Ely we have 4" to 8" of ice and houses are out on hard water as I type.


"fish the rocks, sand and flats, then back again"

[went522]

Those are numbers I try to stick with as well. I'll sneak out with the portable on 3-4". Once the ice hit's 6 good inches I start running the wheeler/voyager. I'm happy with the wheeler on the ice so no trucks for me. Although I agree, 15" is a good start.

BIRDDOG

[Auggie264]

I'll go out once there's more than 2 inches. During these thin times I have a lifejacket on, ice picks, rope, and a spud bar to test ice before I step. I'll keep the picks around my neck all year and leave the life jacket in the house for the entire year as well.