CADILLAC - Many people in Northern Michigan love when the temperatures drop and they can go ice fishing, but it’s not without risk, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR says there’s no such thing as safe ice.
“We really never view any ice as 100 percent safe,” said Lt. Joe Molnar of the Department of Natural Resources.
But there are parameters you can use. The DNR said 4 inches is the depth a person can stand on with less risk. Five to 7 inches is acceptable for a snowmobile, 8 to 12 inches if you plan on pulling your car on the ice and 12 to 15 inches for a truck.
Before you get going, there’s a few things you’ll need to do.
“Check to see if the ice is good using a spud, and again just because you’ve been going out day in and day out, every once in a while, you should check again. It’s good to keep track and make sure that its safe,” said Molnar.
The Cherry Grove Fire Department in Wexford County has already been on one ice fishing rescue this year. They said you can survive a fall into the ice, but you have to plan ahead for it.
“They have little cleats that you can have for your hands in case you do fall through, it helps get traction because with your gloves getting wet, you can’t pull yourself up on the ice. If you have spikes to dig into the ice, it’ll help pull you up,” said Cherry Grove Lt. Justin Todd.
Father and son ice fishing duo Mason Jones and his dad said a game plan is a must.
“We like to bring a spud and make sure the ice is safe and we measure is when we get out there. We make sure to walk in the same tracks and have ice pics with us,” said Jones.