Stay Safe On Frozen Lakes With These Ice Checking Tips

If you’ve lived in Minnesota long enough, you know we all have that one friend who thinks they can “eyeball” ice thickness from the shoreline.

Maybe they give it a good stomp with their boot, declare it “solid,” and take off across the lake like a Viking on a mission. Or maybe you're the person who simply follows in the steps of the person who seems to have made a path before you ever got there, and if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for you.

FACT: ICE IS NEVER 100% SAFE

But here’s the truth: ice is never 100% safe, and guessing is really not the method that any of us should be using. If we want to have fun on the ice, we need to be teaching our family, friends and children the importance of "Knowing!" Knowing that the ice you're travelling on is safe to do so.

So whose job is it in Minnesota to measure ice thickness?

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WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING ICE THICKNESS IN MINNESOTA?

The answer isn't the DNR. The answer is YOU. YOU are responsible for knowing the thickness of the ice you're going to be travelling on, and I don't know about you, but that's not something I want to leave to chance.

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WHAT AFFECTS THE STRENGTH AND THICKNESS OF ICE?

There are so many things that affect ice creation. Things like temperature swings, snow cover, moving water, springs, old ice holes, and even that person who drilled 20 fishing holes and left early.

Before you wander out with dreams of catching the big one or setting up your portable shack for the weekend, it’s important to actually check the ice the right way and with the right kind of tools. I thought I'd search for some of those tools online.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN TESTING, BE PREPARED

Before you even think of testing ice, make sure you have safety picks, a flotation device, and a buddy.

Once you’re properly prepared, the experts say you should wait for a minimum of 4 inches of new, clear ice before walking out. (I'm not sure that's enough for me, but 4 inches is the suggestion).

The ice should not be “cloudy,” or “kind of frozen.” You want four inches of clear ice. Period.

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IMPORTANT TOOLS FOR TESTING ICE STRENGTH

ICE CHISEL

This thing is basically the winter version of a walking stick with a heavy metal rod with a blade welded on one end. Stab the ice with it to punch a hole, and then measure the thickness with a tape measure.

In early and late season, this tool is truly your best friend. You can hit good, strong ice in one step and then hit barely 3 inches the next. That chisel helps you find trouble spots before your feet do.

ICE AUGER

Hand, electric, or gas, take your pick. Anglers use these all winter long, and they work great for thickness checks, too.

To use an Ice Auger to check thickness, drill a hole, measure it, and then repeat. Start near shore and don’t just assume things get better as you go out. Some lakes will surprise you.

A CORDLESS DRILL? YEPPERS!

Yes, the same drill you used to put up your curtain rods at home can also work on ice
If you have the right bit.

You’ll need a 5/8-inch wood auger bit with a spiral “flute” to pull chips out as it drills. This kind of bit will drill through 8 inches of ice in under 30 seconds.

Once you’ve drilled through the ice, measure with a tape measure, and then remember to dry the bit afterwards, or it’ll rust.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A TAPE MEASURE

And finally, the tape measure can be the real hero. Hook the tape measure under the ice and take an accurate reading.

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DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES WHEN IT COMES TO ICE

When you're dealing with ice on a lake or river, you can never be too careful. Check often, don’t take chances, and never trust ice just because it “looks okay.”

I'd like to say that if you aren't willing to do this before going out on the ice, or have someone do it for you, then I would suggest not taking the risk of heading out on frozen water. YOU are the one who is responsible for keeping yourself safe.