In recent years, new cold-weather clothing technologies and reliable ice fishing gear have made the sport easier and more comfortable, attracting a growing number of ice anglers and their families. But in the same ways that hunters understand the risks of their sport and often talk afield about hunting safety, anglers should be aware of the inherent dangers of ice fishing. They should bring the proper safety gear and talk about the condition and thickness of the ice and the weight it can hold. They should be aware of the conditions of the water below, the spacing of holes and what to do if the worst happens.
“My wife talks about ice safety before we go, but we don’t talk a lot about it when we’re out,” said Jason Redinger of Bedford, Bedford County. On Jan. 24, he and several friends pulled a dozen fish through the ice over Deep Creek, Md., including Redinger’s 21-inch walleye.
“We usually wear life vests. I made some ice picks from dowel rods, nails and rope, and we usually put holes about 25 feet apart for tip-ups,” he said.
Read More Here: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/outdoors/2015/02/01/Ice-safety-comes-before-winter-recreation-and-productive-fishing/stories/201502010157
