Ice Fishing Safety Tips

Ice fishing is risky business. You must be careful on ice. After all, it is only frozen water and if you are not careful, it may break. It is very dangerous to take a plunge in icy cold water wearing winter clothes. You can enjoy the sport more if you feel safe, so there is no point in taking needless risks.

1. Avoid ice fishing alone. If the ice breaks, you or your mate will at least have somebody near at hand for a quick rescue. If you are alone, let people around you know about your location.
   
2. Dress warmly. If it's a mild day you might not feel like wearing thermal underwear or heavy jackets, but you might get extremely cold ice fishing. Dress in layers so that if you feel hot, you shed layer but still have it handy to put on if you get cold.
   
   If you have your kids along with you, make sure that they are heavily dressed too. Its your responsibility, since they will have no idea as to how chilly it might get over a frozen water body after spending a certain period of time over it. Especially since ice fishing is physically not very demanding, it will not keep you warm.
   
3. Do not tread on thin ice. You should always be careful not to walk on ice that is less than six inches thick. Wait for the ice to get thicker. Do not hurry and strain your luck by doing so. If you are unsure of the thickness of the ice, drill a small hole to gauge the depth of ice near the spot where you think ice is weakest. If there are people fishing nearby, be sure to ask them about the condition of the ice, it always pays to be safe.
   
   It is always safer to walk on black ice than on white. Black ice is of the kind which is created by thawed snow refreezing. It is stronger than the regular white ice which is frozen fresh water.
   
4. Avoid fishing over deep water. You can find fish in relatively shallow water. Choose a spot where water is about six feet deep. Fish do not discriminate due to water depth. They bite bait anywhere. But you are safer over shallow water and closer to shore.

There are some regular safety features that you should in any case observe. Like, you should always be careful with the fish hook. Do not let it come close to your eyes. And do not get tangled in the line.

If you have taken your kids along, be doubly sure about what you do. Be completely sure about the ice. Since among your equipment there will be a number of gadgets that might be hazardous for children, be very careful with the knives, hooks and other sharp instruments.

For good measures, always carry a first aid kit with you. You never know when it may come in handy. Especially if you have kids around you.