Knowing the condition of the ice for your ice fishing adventure is paramount for your safety. This article reviews some of the safety factors about ice fishing.
One of the key aspects of a fun filled ice fishing adventure is knowing the condition of the ice. Anglers sometimes go out with only 2 1/2 inches of ice, which is okay for walking will not support other vehicles. For examples, snowmobiles were sleds require at least 12 inches of ice for their safety. Some people even use light cars in their ice fishing adventure in the required ice depth needs to be 16 inches. In some cases ice fishermen use full-size trucks and in these cases you need to have at least 18 inches or more of solid ice. Every year, there are many types of vehicles that fall through the ice. Cars, trucks, SUVs, snowmobiles, and even the fishing houses used by the anglers in fact fall through the ice. Environmental regulations require a swift and speedy recovery of these vehicles from the waters. This usually requires specialized equipment to raise the vehicles back up to be recovered. Divers are usually employed to hook onto the vehicle if it's completely submerged. If you happen to break through the ice and you're a long way from shore helicopters might be employed.
As you look at the condition of the ice realized that in some places or water is moving swiftly the ice is much thinner. So extreme care must be taken in these areas with swift currents, again as the ice is uniquely thinner than the rest of the ice body. Also realize on large frozen lakes, such as the Great Lakes, the wind can break off large chunks of the size and you could become stranded. Always have a good means to communicate back to authorities if you should need help. This happened, as a matter of fact, in February 2009 and it stranded over 100 fishermen. Helicopters and the local Coast Guard rescued these fishermen. Unfortunately, one of the fishermen died en route to the hospital. Apparently this fisherman fell into the water when the ice broke off and started drifting away.
Other dangerous aspects of ice can be seen in late winter. As the weather starts to warm the texture of the ice can change and some people call this "rotten ice". It's ice it appears to be solid but will not support the weight of a human being. Even with this condition some ice fishermen can successfully fish as long as the ice is at least 8 inches thick.
With the advent of powered ice fishing augers, such as the Lewis Multidrill ice fishing auger, you can drill very quickly and therefore really hunt the fish far better than in the past. If you drill a hole in you catch no fish then with a Lewis MultiDrill ice fishing auger you can rapidly change your position and get back in the game.
The Lewis MultiDrill attachments fit on your chainsaw. They have various attachments in addition to the ice fishing auger they also have an Earth auger and a wood drill. Most ice fishermen have a use for these additional tools as well..png)
In closing, make sure the condition of the ice before you venture too far out onto the frozen lakes. Check with locals, wherever possible, not only for the condition of the ice but also any information on the types of fishing lures or bait that is working for this period of the year. Remember to dress warmly and always have a good communications tool in case you need to get a hold of authorities.
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