Complete Guide to Ice Fishing Safety & Avoiding Common Dangers

Ice fishing is a unique and rewarding opportunity to catch lots of fish, even when many bodies of water have frozen over. With minimal equipment needed, this is a fairly easy form of angling, given that you take the proper safety precautions. Because you are relying on the strength of varying levels of ice, this activity can bring certain levels of danger you should be aware of.

How safe is ice fishing? There are inherent risks associated with standing and fishing on inches of ice with very cold and deeper water below. Ice fishing is a dangerous activity if you do not follow proper safety protocol, you can injure yourself. This could be due to ice breaking, slipping, or injuring yourself on equipment. If you avoid these, ice fishing is a relatively safe activity.

To make ice fishing as safe an activity as possible, we have pulled together some of the strategies and steps you should take to avoid common dangers related to the sport. The risks that are associated with ice fishing are severe if these safety precautions are not followed. We want to equip you with the knowledge to avoid these risks completely.

How Safe is Ice Fishing?

There are various risks you should be aware of when ice fishing. These are both related to the ice itself as well as your maneuvering around the area with your equipment. The most important part of ice fishing is learning as much as you can about it before you participate and following protocol properly in order to keep yourself safe.

Ice Safety While Ice Fishing

One of the most apparent dangers associated with ice fishing is the ice itself and its durability. When ice is thin, it poses the risk of breaking and you will end up in incredibly cold water. The cracks and holes in the ice that you fall through are difficult to get out of and when you do, the extremely cold temperatures combined with being wet can lead to health consequences.

These are the important factors that will influence the strength of the ice while you are fishing:

Snow: Snow on top of ice can make ice weaker in two ways, including the ice’s ability to freeze and the pressure it places on the ice. Snow can actually act as insulation on the ice and this makes it more difficult for the ice to freeze completely, raising larger risks for durability. The weight of the snow can also be heavy and place additional stress on the ice.
Flowing Water and Currents: When water is consistently trying to move and influenced by currents, freezing becomes more difficult. Ice in these areas is more likely to break or be present in thinner sheets. Areas with faster currents are more susceptible to these issues.
Wildlife: The movement of fish and birds can actually influence the safety of the ice. Fish that are swimming underneath will move the water and this can send warmer water toward the surface. This warmer water can make the ice weaker and forms holes or bubbles that increase the chances of ice breaking.
Age of the Ice: The age of the ice will have an impact on its strength, with new ice typically being stronger than old. This is because some of the old ice may be more in the phase of thawing and losing strength over time.
Ice thickness: The number of inches of ice has an influence on its ability to break. You will want to measure the amount of ice in order to determine if it is safe it enough to cross.

Ice Thickness

Ice thickness is one of the most important factors related to the safety of ice fishing. There are certain ice levels that make it safe enough for you to fish on. If the levels are lower than what is deemed ‘safe,’ you should not go ice fishing in that area.

There are different situations in which you would want varying levels of equipment and transportation depending on where you are, the thickness level of ice will determine the amount of weight it can handle:

Inches of Ice	Weight Capacity
3” or less	Keep off the ice
4”	Walking
5”	ATV or a snowmobile
8-12”	Car or a smaller pick-up truck
12-15”	Larger pick-up truck or a van

In most ice fishing situations, you will want to be on ice that is around 4” thick to walk on it. You may want to get to some locations with a car on thicker ice but the actual ice fishing will want to take place on thinner ice. This is so that you can use your tools to cut through the ice more easily. The thickness for this activity should be around the same as walking.

These measurements are also based on ‘clear ice.’ Clear ice is much thicker and more sturdy than white ice or snow ice. If the ice is white, you will want to double the thickness requirements to ensure you are staying safe.

Exposure to the Elements While Ice Fishing

Even if you do not fall into the ice, you will still be exposed to cold and unpleasant elements that can be dangerous if you do not prepare properly. If it is cold enough to freeze many inches of water, it’ll be cold enough to get you sick or expose you to hypothermia and frostbite. High winds and cold temperatures don’t mix well with your body if it isn’t protected.

Ice fishing is an activity that lasts hours and may even take up the entire day. The longer you are exposed to these cold elements, the more likely you are to get injured or experience negative health consequences related to decreasing body temperatures and poor circulation.

To best avoid these issues, you will want to prepare by bringing proper heating equipment and clothing to make sure you retain your body temperature. There are different symptoms associated with hypothermia and frostbite that you should be aware of in the event that you start to notice changes while out ice fishing.

The symptoms of hypothermia include:

Shivering: This is often the first thing you’ll notice because it is your bodies way of trying to regulate temperature. If you are excessively shivering, this should be your first sign that you could be experiencing the early onset of hypothermia.
Clumsiness or drowsiness: You start to lose a bit of cognitive function which can actually lead to greater risk-taking behavior when you aren’t in your most alert state
Slurring of words: This is related to the drowsiness and it may start to impact your ability to speak
Slow, short breaths: Your respiratory system starts to feel the effects as your body relies on shorter breaths to shut down certain areas to channel heat and energy to other regions of the body
Loss of consciousness: This may occur in more severe cases

Hypothermia typically has a slow onset so many people don’t know that they have it. Extended time outside with these increasing symptoms can be dramatically worsened without great awareness that it is even happening.

The symptoms of frostbite include:

Skin feeling cold: This is typically the first symptom you will experience
Pricking sensations: You may start to feel pricks on your cold skin that are uncomfortable as it progresses
Numbness: You may start to lose feeling in your extremities which is an obvious sign that frostbite is progressing
Change in skin color: This is one of the most easily recognizable symptoms and it reveals that the condition is starting to impact the health of cells in the skin
Muscle stiffness: Your muscles will start to stiffen to conserve warmth and energy as heat leaves those areas

Frostbite can occur in varying severities, from frostnip in the beginning to deep frostbite that impacts all layers of the skin. Frostbite usually occurs on the nose, ears, fingers, and toes. You may not notice you have it, so you’ll need to keep in mind to check for symptoms.

You should be hyper-aware of these symptoms in order to prevent your risks of getting both hypothermia and frostbite while ice fishing. We will discuss how to prevent them and treatment plans in the upcoming sections.

Common Dangers to Avoid While Ice Fishing

While the durability of the ice and exposure to the elements are the most obvious dangers that you should be aware of while ice fishing, there are some common mistakes people make that can put them at greater risk for these dangers. Avoiding these dangers will keep ice fishing a fun and safe activity.

Ice Fishing Too Close to Others

Fishing close to others can put you at larger risks than if you have your own space to fish in. Try to keep your own space by setting up many feet away from others and encouraging them to do the same if they come too close to you.

You will want to maintain a safe distance from other fishermen for two primary reasons:

Strength of ice: When you are close to other fishermen, the additional weight on the same segments of ice put more pressure and strain on its strength. This increases the risk of breaking the ice and someone falling through.
Tangled lines: This is less related to safety but more so, the success of fishing. If you drill your hole near someone else, the lines may get tangled and prevent either of you from catching fish. The tangling can also lead to injuries or accidents as you try to fix the situation.

This is one of the easiest dangers to avoid, given that it is not too crowded on the ice. If ice levels are thicker, you will be much safer near others. You should keep this in mind when measuring the thickness of the ice.

Ice Fishing Alone

With the risks we have mapped out related to falling on or through the ice and decreases in body temperature, it is not the safest option to ice fish alone. It is best if you bring a friend with you to not only keep you company but to help you in the event of an emergency.

You don’t have to be right next to someone (which we mentioned could be dangerous), but just plan to go with someone and keep an eye on each other in the event that an accident does occur.

Ignoring Ice Thickness Protocol

The chart with the varying levels of ice thickness and the amount of weight they can handle exists for a reason! Thin ice can be incredibly dangerous as we mentioned, and these safety protocols should be followed closely. If there are areas with moving water or holes in the ice that already exist, you will want to steer clear and find a new area.

Checking the ice thickness frequently is the best plan of action to avoid this common danger. To check the ice, you will want to have an auger (which will drill the hole for ice fishing), ice chisel, or drill with you so you can be checking the thickness of the areas you are in.

Once you have found a spot with thick enough ice, you should be drilling the hole in certain areas of a lake or waterway that will lead to finding the most fish. Those areas are typically in these areas:

Heavy vegetation: Areas with lots of vegetation are likely to have fish as they use these areas for protection and food
Points: These are areas near a pointed piece of land or shoreline that fish tend to stay near
Drop-offs: Fish can often be found near large changes in depth, with many of them hanging out near the shallow point before the drop off
Rocks: Piles of rocks serve as protection for fish and will often have groupings of them nearby. Rocks can also be helpful to use as footing in the event you do fall through

Make sure you are testing the thickness of the ice before you set up camp. Even if you are in an area with lots of fish, if the ice is too thin, it will not be worth the danger. Keep looking in new areas for thick enough ice, and you can always move later if you do not find enough fishing success.

If you start to hear cracking sounds, it is time to find a new spot to move to for ice fishing!

Ice Fishing in the Dark

If you are new to ice fishing or want to ensure the most safety while participating, ice fishing in the dark can be quite dangerous. Without proper lighting, it is much more difficult to see what you are doing as well as be aware of holes and cracks in the ice. Your chances of falling through a hole that you cannot see are much greater.

More experienced fishermen enjoy ice fishing at night, but it can be very dangerous if you are not well-prepared. Not only is your vision impaired, but temperatures will drop as the sun goes down. This can put you at greater risk for illnesses and issues related to heat retention.

If you do decide to ice fish at night, you will want to:

Have some experience ice fishing
Make sure you are not alone
Wear proper clothing
Have necessary safety equipment
Bring ample artificial light to see what you are doing

Chemical Exposure from Heating Devices

To prevent cold temperatures from interfering with your fishing, many ice anglers will bring heating devices or small tents with them to keep themselves warm. You will often see little shanty-like tents where fishermen can spend hours collecting fish without freezing themselves. In these enclosed spaces, you can put yourself at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you do decide to create a small camp for yourself, you will want to make sure that these areas are properly ventilated to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide. If there is a window or door on these tents, you will want to keep this open.

If bringing a personal heater with you, make sure you are aware of where it is, and that it doesn’t interfere with any movement while fishing. You will not want it to get knocked over, which could heat nearby ice or accidentally touch it with bare skin that could lead to burns. These devices can be very helpful but should be handled with care.

Alcohol Consumption

Ice fishing is an activity in which you need to be alert at all times in case of emergency. If you are consuming alcohol, you are putting yourself at risk for making bad judgment calls. Drinking alcohol while ice fishing is not worth the dangerous situations you may find yourself in. Wait until you leave the ice at the end of the day to partake in drinking.

Alcohol can actually have a negative impact on your ability to maintain body temperature as well. When you have alcohol in your system, it widens your blood vessels which sends blood to your skin. This will give you a temporary rise in temperature and feelings of warmth, but will quickly disappear and cause your body temperature to drop.

Alcohol not only impairs your judgment, which could lead to greater injury risk, but it also lowers your body temperature, which increases your chances of hypothermia or frostbite.

Keeping Yourself Safe During Ice Fishing

Now that you are aware of the dangers associated with ice fishing, you can take some concrete steps to keep yourself safe while on the ice.

Bring the Proper Equipment

Beyond your fishing gear, you should have ample safety equipment with you to prepare for all situations. This equipment is both clothing as well as safety tools to get you out of tight situations.

For clothing, these are some items and steps you should definitely take to keep yourself warm and safe:

Gloves: This not only protects your fingers from frostbite, but it will prevent accidents that often occur related to lacerations with fish hooks. These hooks are very sharp and can easily cut you if your skin is exposed.
Ice cleats: These spiked additions to your shoes will help to prevent slipping and falling on slick ice.
Ice fishing suits: They make specific suits for ice fishing to keep you warm and help with floatation in the event that you do fall in the water.
Floatation device: You should also be wearing a life jacket in the event that you do fall in, which will make your recovery much easier.
Hat: A lot of heat is lost through your head and ears. Wearing a beanie or similar warm hat can help to retain a lot of this heat to keep you warm.

Additional safety equipment you should keep on you includes:

Safety Picks: These are two metal blades on handles so that if you do fall in, you can quickly hook them into ice to pull you out. You should keep these around your neck, so you have easy access to them.
Rescue Rope: To help other anglers, having a safety rope with you can help to get others out of tight situations if they fall in.
Cell phone: This is an important safety feature to have on you in case of an emergency. When there is no service, you might still be able to make emergency calls or text. A radio can also be a useful alternative.
Phone charger packs: Cold temperatures tend to mess with our phone batteries and could make them die much quicker than usual. Having a powerful charger pack to keep you at a full charge is a great preventative measure.
Chisel: A thin ice chisel can be used quickly to check the thickness of ice right in front of you to avoid missteps if the ice appears to be changing.

Talk To Locals

If you are not super familiar with an area or are new to the sport, it may help to ask locals about ice thickness as well as areas that will give you the most success in finding fish. When you are at a bait shop getting supplies, the staff there should be fairly knowledgeable about the waterways in the area and be happy to help guide you.

When you get onsite, you may also notice where groups are congregating, suggesting that those are the best spots to check out. Head to these areas, but make sure not to get too close as to compromise the structural integrity of the ice and encroach on their space.

Take Care of Your Body

The entire purpose of this article is to keep you safe while ice fishing, and this means you also need to pay attention to your body and not only check in with it as you fish but prepare beforehand.

Before you even head out to go ice fishing, you must make sure you are:

Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before you go out for the day. It is easy to lose water being in the sun and elements for extended periods of time, and this can lead to fatigue.
Well-fed: Make sure you are fueled for a long day of activities. Drops in blood sugar also lead to fatigue and may impair judgment when combined with other factors related to being in the cold for extended periods.
Wearing proper clothes: We mentioned the clothes you should have on, and this will help to protect your body. Bringing hand warmers and keeping them in your pockets is also a good way to keep you warmer.

When you are out on the water, bring plenty of drinking water and snacks so that if you are starting to fade, you can easily replenish your energy systems.

Tell Others of Your Plans

Whether you are with others or not, you should always tell someone who is not ice fishing your plans for the day. In the event that your phone is not working or you aren’t heard from for extended periods of time, that person can send someone to look for you and know where to look. You should be detailed in your plans and any potential changes you may make.

Of course, you hope not to need someone to look for you, but this is one of the best ways to ensure you can be rescued if needed.