Beware of the ice!!

Well I'm sure most of the ice fisherman are realizing that its getting too risky to venture out on the ice now that temps are getting into the 40s -50s but a fishing buddy of mine decided to fish HD on Sunday since the predicted warm temperatures never happened. He drilled holes in the channel areas we'd fished a couple weeks ago and was finding 7-8 in. of ice (more than enough even if your a nervous ice fisher) and fished for about 4 hours moving to proven spots along the channel edge and still drilling through thick ice. He was catching alot of fish and having a good day when in the blink of an eye the ice gave way and down he went up to his shoulders, this was a spot he had already crossed over severals times. Fortunately he put his hands out and the ice held keeping him from going all the way through. He was able to work his way out of the hole and onto the ice without the ice breaking anymore. After thanking his Maker for the reprieve and realizing he was gonna live he squeezed the water out of his gloves and dumped the water out of his boots and went ahead and fished another hour (the fish were biting after all:crazy:) Now all of us who ice fish know there is an element of risk involved but we can lessen that by making sure the ice is plenty thick and having a rope and other safety supplies but my friend made the mistake of going alone and I've done the very same thing just last week (Middlecreek post on 2-13). He's learned a valuable lesson and I'm taking this one to heart too...the more the merrier when it comes to ice fishing and late ice can be dangerous!!

Another reason for me to keep my butt off the ice! Thanks goodness hes ok!

Very good point, this winter has been well lets say somewhat different. Can't remember the last time we have had this much ice this late in February. Went Sunday and even though we had nine to ten inches of ice it is changing. When drilling holes the ice didn't want to shave but insteed came out in little chuncks like ice cubes not a good sign for good ice. Don't get lured into the fact that ice was good yesterday it is safe today, try to take a buddy with you and have some means of backup should something happen. Be safe enjoy what is left of the winter...

We can never be too safe. I have been on the ice in my younger years but I guess with age comes a more reserved outlook on life and anymore I choose to wait for liquid water before I venture out there!

Golden rule never ice fish alone, period. No excuses.

Maybe the buzz word here is "channel areas". Theres still current in those areas making them the weakest ice.