how do you get used to the sound of the shifting ice while ice fishing?

Question

it freaked me out! i iced fished for the first time yesterday and even though i could see the ice was 6 inches, the sound that what i was told was the ice shifting and moving really got to me.it took me about an hour to get comfortable on the ice. i had to pretend, in my head, that it was whale song 'cuz thats what it sounded like.i cought a nice bass but it really got to me.how safe is safe ice,whats the recomended inches of ice to fish saftly?

Answer 1

I know exactly what you mean. I went for the first time a couple of months ago and it is a very unsettling sound. One crack ran from about 50 yards away and ran right underneath our pop up shelter. Basically you just have to keep telling yourself that you know the ice is thick enough and just try to enjoy yourself. Six inches of ice is more than enough. This is what the MInnesota DNR says for ice thickness;

4" of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot
5" is minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs
8"- 12" for cars or small trucks

I think these are even pretty conservative. With the right ice conditions you can walk across 2 inches of ice.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

the component i love perfect about this one is the way it would not get a lot less boring no count number number how in many cases fossil and all the different lame denialists save saying it. What must be remarkable is that if the unique quote had a time body, say 2010 quite of what the guy in all likelihood meant, 2100. interior the period in-between, it is extremely warm and it is only been summer season for a million day! hence international warming authentic!!! EDIT: Maxbushian- why is your self assurance in precise reporting through the media so finished once you do not believe technological know-how? i'm a sceptic, hence I reserve judgement over some thing I examine interior the information in view that I wasn't there myself. i recognize the information media misquote poeple because I were misquoted myself. So i'd not get excited over any such statement without confirming that is what the guy reported. yet, as an insane creationist and not using a contact of rational concept, sense free to hyperventilate and conceal on your bomb preserve from the commies, greenies and atheists who're coming to devour your little ones.

Answer 3

Every time you hear the ice shift/crack, and you don't fall through, you'll get a little more comfortable. The worst is when you're in that 10-15" range, and the pickups are starting to drive all over. When they start cruising fast, and get a wave rolling in front of them, it can push the water right through your hole in a geyser. 6" is plenty of ice for foot, or even ATV travel, but as a previous person mentioned, it's worrying about uniform thickness. Personally, I like at least a foot before I completely relax, but I live in northern MN, where it's not uncommon to have 25-30". Thats when I know I'm safe, lol.

Answer 4

It takes time and understanding the sounds as all the sounds mean something. ie. The thicker the ice the louder the rumblings are as it means the water level is lowering .Don't make the mistake into thinking the ice thickens is same all over.On the pond where my cabin is has mostly slob ice and some idiots I heard today crossed it on snowmobiles this week end and made it across it not knowing that if they had stopped they would have broken through and they were not skimming either.

Answer 5

The first time i ran off but i was 6. that wasn't meant to offend it was meant to show that you just get used to the sound after awhile. Once you knwo its enough and its just a sound you'll be fine....

Answer 6

thats more than enough ice to be ice fishing,as to getting used to the noise ice fish more and its nothin to be woried about.