Michigan is home to many fishermen and women, and colder weather doesn’t mean the fishing season has to end.
Ice fishing has evolved over the years, drawing more people to try it.
But before heading out on the ice, there are important safety tips to keep in mind.
Ice fisherman Dan Duffield explains that ice thickness can vary greatly, even across the same lake or channel.
“Right now, the ice thickness is probably, if there is any ice to get on around us, maybe two to three inches, and two inches will support me, but it’s not always the same thickness across a lake or across a channel,” he said .
This variation in ice thickness can be dangerous.
“There could be spots where someone could fall through,” Duffield warns.
That’s why testing the ice before venturing out is crucial. Using a tool called a spud, a long steel bar, you hit the ice with.
If it doesn’t go through, the ice is considered safe to walk on. Duffield also stresses the importance of never going out alone.
Having someone with you means help is available if something goes wrong.
He recommends packing essential safety gear such as a life jacket and ice picks.
“You know these picks will go into the ice and if you’re stuck you can pull yourself out,” he explains.
Another key item to bring is a rope. “It’s small to carry, but you can throw it to the guy if you’re there to help,” Duffield says.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources offers vital advice if you break through the ice.
First, stay calm and don’t remove your clothes, as they help keep you warm.
Then, turn toward the direction you came from, since that’s where the ice is strongest.
Use your ice pick to pull yourself out and roll away from the weak spot to safety.
Despite the risks, Duffield encourages trying ice fishing.
“I’m sure that you have a friend that probably knows somebody or is going ice fishing. Just tag along for the day and see what it’s like,” he says.