A word to the wise ........

[GetANet]

http://www.onthewater.com/ice-fishermen-safe-first-ice/

Here's a little safety advice for anyone considering venturing out onto the frozen tundra the upcoming ice season!!!!!

SAFETY FIRST !!! NO FISH IS WORTH RISKING YOUR LIFE FOR!!!
I WANNA SEE YA AT THE MEET&GREETS NOT AT YOUR FUNERAL!!!!!!

[Chrisper4694]

I stick to the lakes i know very well personally for first ice. I won't go out even in these lakes with less than 3.5". And i only go with a friend, a long rope, ice spikes around my neck, and wearing my life vest.

I stay away from places like budd lake until late into winter...last year we had 5" of ice in every hole we made on budd lake so we kept trying different spots all 4.5-5" of ice...then we go to drill our 30th or so hole of the day and the power auger immediately went through about an inch of ice! to this day i don't know how we didn't go through but that was the last time i'll go on that lake early season!

beware guys!

[briansnat]

Two articles I wrote about ice safety that might be helpful. Hopefully nobody here will ever need the rescue part.

http://www.examiner.com/article/staying-safe-on-the-ice

http://www.examiner.com/article/ice-safety-rescue-techniques

[Rickhem]

These are all good articles, thanks to those that posted them.
Every year there are multiple incidences and tragedies that happen to otherwise safe and responsible people on the ice. A word to the wise....or an ounce of prevention....or forewarned is forearmed....but none of that helps looking backwards.
Be safe all.

[jimmythegreek]

2 rules of thumb to follow

DONT EVER GO OUT WITHOUT YOUR ICE PICKS!!..........I dont care if the ice is 12" thick, there can always be thin spots and with picks you will ALWAYS get out of the water

Always fish with a buddy, and if you cant try to be in distance of others fishing that can assist you in case of emergency, always let your loved ones know where you will be and for how long

Be safe out there fellas, by the weekend we will have safe ice in alot of places