Ice Fishing: Few Tips Towards Individual Safety

Fishing, for long, has been a favorite hobby for westerners. And for the more adventurous lot, and those who live in the artic weather, they preferred ice fishing. But, on a general scale, it can be said that ice fishing is something that must be approached with caution for it could go either way; it could bring you tons of fun on a chilly winter day, or it could be one of the worst of experiences one can have in their lifetimes. It all depends on how one handles it at the end of the day. No matter what the fishing tales depicts ice fishing to be, in reality, it is a hobby that needs to be indulged in with lots of care and preparation.

To begin with, one has to be versatile in the art of swimming, or at least keeping afloat, in ice cold water before getting out to pen down another fishing tale. For those who have grown up in the north might be used to the harsh winter, and other nuances of snow/ice. But, for those from other parts of the world, it is advisable to go for ice fishing alongside somebody who knows the immediate terrain very well. As it is said no ice is safe, it is crucial to find the right places to ice fish, and none can do that perfectly than a local guy.

Another important aspect is clothing. Ideally, the clothing should keep one warm, meanwhile not limiting the mobility should any need for swimming arise. Always avoid waders and hip boots that get filled up with water easily if one jumps into the water. Instead, use a pair of waterproof ankle length shoes with the laces in front. Also, it is advisable to dress in layers so that should some need arise, one could shed few layers to reduce weight, and still keep oneself warm for the next few minutes at least in the water. A woolen cap is a must for that will help maintain heat loss from the body significantly.

Finally, as mentioned above, the final call on whether to do ice fishing - or come back another day - should be based on how the ice behaves. In order to withstand the weight of an average human being, the thickness of ice sheet must be at least 6 inches. Ensure that the ice below is at least that thick enough before stepping on it. Do not bring in your vehicle on ice unless you are that confident about the thickness of ice beneath.

Loud cracks or booms in ice are quite normal and is nothing to be worried about. But on river, it should be treated as a warning shot as it could be indicative of ice movement and possible imminent breakage. In short, one should be all ears and eyes while once ice. Before taking the last step, take some time out to get acquaint with the area, the ice, and ensure that you have all precautions and back up in place. Ice fishing tales might say about lots of things that make ice fishing a childs play. But nothing could be more far from reality that such tales. Enjoy fishing; but be on the safer side as well.