ICE SAFETY CHART FOR NEW CLEAR ICE
Under 4″ – STAY OFF
4″ – Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5″ – 7″ – Snowmobile or ATV
8″ – 12″ – Car or small pickup
12″ – 15″ – Medium truck
MANY FACTORS OTHER THAN ICE THICKNESS CAN CAUSE ICE TO BE UNSAFE.
White ice or snow ice is about half as strong as new clear ice. When traveling on white ice double the above ice thickness guidelines.
BEFORE HEADING OUT ON THE ICE:
- Contact a local bait shop or lakeside resortto ask about ice conditions.
- Check ice thickness once you get there.
- Temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and fish can all affect the safety of ice. Ice is seldom the same thickness over a single body of water; it can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. Check the ice at least every 150-feet.