With the arrival of frigid temperatures across the state, Nebraska Game and Parks encourages people to be cautious and use the following safety tips while ice fishing:
1. Tell someone your plan. Whether you are fishing alone or in a group, tell someone where you will be fishing in case trouble arises.
2. Test the ice. The minimum thickness to support one person is 4 inches of clear ice; 7.5 inches will support a group weighing up to two tons or an all-terrain vehicle. Use an ice chisel or spud bar to strike the ice and evaluate conditions as you venture out.
- As winter progresses, ice changes. Cloudy ice of frozen slush is about half as strong as clear lake ice, so people should double the minimum thickness when encountering such conditions.
- Ice near shore may be weakened by heat from the ground, or thinner because of rising water levels. If temperatures are below freezing, but warm during the day, fish early and leave before ice melts near the shore.
- Be especially careful on any ice that has moving water below it. Water movement hinders freezing causing hard-to-detect thin spots.
- Materials embedded in ice, such as weeds or logs, also weaken ice. Large objects on the ice, such as duck blinds or ice shacks, can absorb the sun’s heat and melt ice.
3. Wear ice picks. If the ice breaks, picks help grip the ice to pull yourself out of the water.
4. Wear ice cleats. Avoid falls by wearing ice cleats to maintain traction.
5. Layer your clothing. Begin with a synthetic layer, such as thermal underwear or fleece, followed by a layer of wool. Wool provides excellent insulation and warmth even when damp. Outer layers may include sweatshirts and jackets covered by heavy parkas, bibs or coveralls. Carry at least a couple of pairs of gloves or mittens. Remove layers during periods of activity, such as manually drilling ice holes, to avoid sweating, and add layers during periods of inactivity.
6. Bring extra clothing. Keep a set of dry clothes in your vehicle in case you get wet.
7. Bring a long throw rope. A rope can be thrown from a safe location to retrieve a person who has fallen through the ice. A big loop on the end with a float attached will help the imperiled person grab it with their arms instead of cold fingers.
8. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can affect judgment and increase chances of hypothermia.
Purchase a 2025 fishing permit, find a water body near you, or discover additional fishing resources at OutdoorNebraska.gov/Fish.
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