Ice Fishing - Dangers

Dangers

Many anglers will go out with 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) of good ice for walking, but the recommended is 4 inches 10 cm), 5–6 inches (13–15 cm) for Sleds (Snow Machines, Snowmobiles) 7–12 (18–30 cm) for light cars and 14–16 inches (36–41 cm) 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, offshore winds can break off miles-wide pans of ice stranding large numbers of fishermen. Just such a circumstance occurred in Lake Erie in February 2009, with 100 fisherman having to be rescued by helicopters, local authorities and the Coast Guard, and one man who had fallen into the water dying on the rescue flight.

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 anglers will continue to fish, since even with the bad ice normally 8 inches (20 cm) is more than enough. Fisherman may carry a self-rescue device made of two spiked handles connected by a string to pull themselves out of the water and onto 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.

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.