Valuable Safety Tips For Ice Fishing In Montana

Ice Fishing In Montana

Ice Fishing in the Treasure State can be a lot of fun, or a total nightmare. It all depends on how much respect you have for the ice and the weather conditions.

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Here Are Some Tips To Make Your Day On The Ice A Safe And Fun One

• NEVER walk out on river ice
• Always tell someone where you're going, and bring someone with you if you can
• Never be the first person out on the ice, especially if it's covered in snow. Snow can hide dangerous conditions. Clear ice is the safest ice
• Do not approach pressure ridges or large cracks. Stay clear of open water, the ice thickness is perilous. The same goes for docks, inlets, outlets and springs
• Check the ice thickness. It should be AT LEAST 4 to 6 inches of ice, and again, it should be clear ice

Make Sure You Have Everything You Need For Ice Fishing:

Read More: This Montana Lake Ranks Best In America For Swimming

How Thick Should The Ice Be For Fishing?

Thickness should be gauged by the weight you're planning to put on the ice. Don't eye how thick the ice looks to you. Drill a hole and measure the thickness

Proper Ice Thickness For Safely Fishing

• Under 4 inches: Stay off the ice
• 4 inches: Ice is safe if you're on foot
• 7 inches: Ice is safe for a snowmobile or ATV
• 10 inches: Ice is safe for a small car. FYI: I'd never do this
• 12 inches: Ice is safe for a bigger vehicle. FYI 2: I'd REALLY never do this

How Thick Does The Ice Need To Be For:

• Big Foot to ice fish? About 6 inches
• For a dinosaur to ice skate? Starting at around 11 inches for a small to medium sized dino

Source: Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks

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