Broke through the ice west of Mineapolis!!

[John in MN]

Friday evening on a small lake about 1/2 hour west of Minneapolis, I broke through the ice. It scared the SH** out of me and was totally unexpected since the ice is at least 24 inches thick or so I thought. The area had a lot of slush in it as a result of the warm temps Thursday and Friday but I have safely fished under these conditions for years. There also was a crust layer from the recent freezing rains. I was routinely breaking through the crust, under which were the slush and the main ice. As I was positioning my Otter sled/house by a hole, a 2 1/2 to 3 foot diameter section started sinking and when I broke through the crust, I never hit the main ice. Luckily only my legs went in and I could get out easily but it was still scary. I haven't had an adrenaline rush like that for years. I guess it's time for the ice picks and maybe a life jacket. The two reasons I can think of why this happened are the water on top draining through a crack/old hole or a school of fish thinning the ice from below (the water was a lot murkier in this area than the areas without the slush. I would like to hear any other ideas. Everyone please remember to be more careful as we enter into the late ice fishing season.

[cisco]

Don't know why that area was weak -- have seen similar ice on a lake I fish regularly.

I guess this reinforces the notion "there is no such thing as safe ice."

[Frank from TBay]

When the snow and slush start to drain off they drain in the weakest areas. I have seen an ice hole turn into a 2ft diameter hole in a day and a bit when the ice was 30in. It is common in the spring to see 8 to 10 ft dia hole on some of the lakes that I fish. They are not always in the same spot.This is from the water draining off the ice or can be from water coming on the ice because of additional weight because of a recent heavy snowfall. If you get cool temps at night these can freeze over. I always wear a floater suit when on the ice. cisco has the right idea..........no ice is safe ice.You are very fortunate to have only got a soaking. The Big Guy was watching over you this time.
Frank

[EyeBoy]

John;
With out your ice picks how did you extracate yourself? When you got home did you give the wife and kids an extra hug? If you have em. Be careful.
ON-PLANE!!!TOM

[John in MN]

When I broke through the ice, I fell onto my left side so I only went in up to my waist. I grabbed on to the soft snow on top to pull myself out and rolled away from the hole. Everyone got hugs when I got home, even the dog.

[Jeremy A]

I am happy to see that you made it to a computer to post this message.

Everyone should take this warning to watch your rear ends this year. ice or open water, it is much stronger then we are and can reach out and take a life any time it wishes. Be carful and have good spring.

[Backwater Eddy]

Areas were tons of anglers have been all winter tend to collect road salts and the salts puddle up to form weak spots in the ice. I steer clear of areas like this as the snow pack thaws down.

I too tried to dump my wife's new car 10 years back on so called SAFE ice. Just fell through the first layer, but man did I @#$% my pants on that one, woo!

No amount of roses would have saved my butt if her car went through all the way. It was easy to get out and had no damage but it was a heart pumper boy!

BE SAFE!

Backwater Eddy

[EyeBoy]

BE;
Great cardiovascular exercise, huh BE. Others have said it best, there isn't any safe ice. The vehicles dripping salt onto the ice making weak spots.....excellent observation.
ON-PLANE!!!TOM