COLUMN: Driftwood Outdoors: It's worth the wait for safe ice fishing

I have the ice fishing bug. Last winter I went to Devil's Lake, North Dakota with the goal of catching a 15-inch yellow perch. The longest I landed was 14. I'm going back this year, again with the hope of landing a wall hanger. But I must admit, being on the ice makes me nervous. Precautions must be taken.

When anglers and snowmobilers start to feel the itch only frozen water can scratch, it's hard to hold them back. But ask any seasoned ice angler, and they'll tell you, the way to stay safe is to assume there's no such thing as safe ice.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is pushing that reminder this year. As winter begins and folks rush to claim their favorite spots on prime ice fishing lakes, the agency is urging everyone to pay attention and treat every frozen water with respect. Early ice may look solid, it may even feel solid, but underneath may be a different story.

"Early in the season especially, ice conditions are unpredictable and can change quickly on Wisconsin's rivers and lakes. The ice covers hide the currents, debris and underground springs still feeding lakes and rivers, thinning the ice in spots," said Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator. "No matter if you're on foot, on a snowmobile or in a UTV, it's important to remember that ice is never 100 percent safe."

It is good to speak with someone who is keeping track of ice thickness, if possible. The DNR doesn't. They can't. Conditions change too fast. The people who usually know the most about local lakes are the ones who are either on them daily or are serving customers who use the ice. You'll find these folks in bait shops, fishing clubs, and working as outfitters. If you're determined to venture out early, talk to one or more of them. They'll know if there are danger spots.

Some lakes have springs that create soft spots. Others have inlets and outlets that remain open and are dangerous because they're hard to see. Narrow channels with current flow are dangerous. These and other reasons can cause thin ice in areas that don't advertise themselves. A lake might be solid in one spot and dangerous 20 yards away.

Pressure ridges are ice heaves that form when temperatures swing. These are another hazard. They look like frozen shorelines or seams in the ice, but they can shift, open, or thin without warning. Strong winds can make them worse. Avoid these areas.

When you are heading out on the ice, you should never go alone and always tell others where you'll be and when you'll be back. Wear crampons and use a spud bar to test ice thickness as you walk. Keep ice picks handy where you can grab them fast, and don't travel at night through unfamiliar territory.

For someone who didn't grow up around ice, it's wild way up north where people drive trucks, snowmobiles and ATVs on the ice. Vehicles bring their own challenges. Last winter, Wisconsin saw six fatalities linked to ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles going through the ice. Their weight demands much thicker ice than most people realize.

Even with precautions, ice accidents still happen. If you fall in, the most important thing is to stay as calm as possible. Grip your ice picks and stick them in the ice. Kick hard to get your chest flat on the ice and slide forward, moving one pick forward at a time.

Ice fishing is drawing me to frozen water and it kind of freaks me out. But it's awesome, and the fish taste amazing coming out of such cold water, so I'll be out there. You can bet I'll be cautious and ask questions of the more experienced guys I'm fishing with. No walleye in the world is worth falling through the ice to me. If it's not safe, I'm not going. You shouldn't either.

See you down the trail…

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