(Spirit Lake)– Temperatures have been mild recently but that still hasn’t stopped ice from forming on some of the shallow lakes and ponds in the area. Outdoors professional Shane Aiken offers these guidelines:…
“The rule of thumb is three inches and less stay off. Four inches you can start walking on there. Get to five or six inches snowmobiles, small ATV’s; eight to 12 inches bigger ATV’s, small trucks and cars. 12 to 15 inches medium size trucks; and once you get to 15 inches plus you can start taking those bigger trucks and you can start to see some of those permanent shacks being pulled out as well. Just be aware of seams. Don’t cross a seam, obviously. that’s where people get in trouble a lot here it seems like at the Iowa Great Lakes. And, you know, first time out I would not go by myself. Make sure there’s other people around. Have a buddy go with that first ice.”
Aiken also says it’s important not to walk side by side on newly formed ice. And he says make sure you have the proper gear…
“A lot of the new snow suits now are float suits. If you don’t have one maybe look into buying one of them. If you don’t have one and can’t afford one, put a life jacket on. I mean people kind of snicker at that laugh but a life saved is better than looking goofy out on the ice.”
Aiken says it’s also a good idea to have some picks, a rope and a whistle with you.
