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As ice thickens on area waterways, anglers are preparing to venture out and take part in one of the most participated winter activities – ice fishing. Knowing when it is safe to venture out onto the ice, how to travel on ice, and what to do should the ice break are as important as the rudiments of fishing itself.

“Most law enforcement personnel will tell you that because it can be tricky, there is no such thing as safe ice,” says DNR Law Enforcement Safety Specialist Chris Wunrow, “and although a lake or river is frozen that does not mean it can be safely traveled.”

Wunrow offers these tips to anglers and others who plan to venture onto the ice this winter:

• Clear, solid ice at least two inches thick is usually sufficient to hold a single person walking on foot. For safety’s sake, wait until the ice is at least three inches thick and go with a friend. Keep at least 50 feet of distance between each other. Ice fishing with several friends and gear requires at least 4 inches of ice, and snowmobiles and ATVs require a minimum of 5 inches.
• Ice will generally be thicker near shore and get thinner the farther one ventures out. Check ice thickness with an ice spud or auger starting from a few feet from shore and every 10 to 20 feet as one goes towards the middle of the waterway.
• Lake ice is generally stronger than river ice. Springs, lake inlets and outlets, and channels can alter ice thickness.
• Before heading out onto early or newly formed ice, check with a local bait shop, resort owner, or outdoors store regarding ice thickness or known thin spots.
• Whether alone or with a friend on early ice, always carry a couple of large sharpened nails and a length of rope in an easily accessible pocket. The nails or commercially bought ice grabbers can help a person pull themselves out of the water an on to more solid ice. The rope can be thrown to another person for rescue.
• If you are alone and go through the ice, take a few seconds to get over the “cold shock.” Regain your breathing, kick hard and try to swim up onto the ice. If successful, crawl on your hands and knees or roll to more solid ice. Get to the nearest warm place quickly. If your attempts to swim onto the ice area unsuccessful, get as much of your body out of the water and yell for help. Studies show you will have about 30 minutes or more before the body is incapacitated by hypothermia.
• Proper clothing can increase chances of survival should a person break through the ice. A snowmobile type suit if it is zipped can and will trap air and slow the body’s heat loss. Once filled with water, however, insulated suits become heavy and will hinder rescue. Newer model snowmobile suits have flotation material built in and anyone traversing ice should consider purchasing one of these suits. On early ice it is advised to wear a personal flotation device.
• Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible. Traveling in a vehicle -- especially early or late in the season -- is an accident waiting to happen.
• When driving on ice, be prepared to leave the vehicle in a hurry. Unbuckle the seatbelt and have a simple plan of action in case of ice break through. Anglers may want to leave a window open for an easy exit.
• Often vehicles will establish roads from shore to the current fishing hotspots. Repeated vehicle use may cause the ice to weaken. The ice roads may not always be the safest routes.
• When using a gas or liquid heater to warm an ice shack or tent make sure it is properly ventilated with at least two openings, one at the top and one at the bottom of the structure. Any flame eats oxygen so proper ventilation is required.