GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — You may want to wait before heading out on West Michigan lakes to fish. After a slow start to the season, ice fishermen are eager to hit the hard water.
But last week's quick freeze, with inches of snow added on top, may be giving fishermen a false sense of confidence.
"We had warm weather before this cold snap, so the water temperatures never really got down to freezing before the snow fell in it," said DNR Conservation Officer BJ Goulette. "So we didn't get a good clear, strong ice layer underneath."
Officer Goulette primarily works within Ottawa County.
"If we have the weight, milky just looks like frozen slush or frozen snow, that's not typically strong ice," said Goulette.
While the fisherman is okay, Sgt. Knott says lakes in Ottawa County aren't safe.
"I would not go on any ice in Ottawa County at this point," said Knott. "I'm an ice fisherman as well. I'm eager to get out there, but it's not worth your life to go after a fish."
How can you mitigate risk if you decide to get out on the ice?
"People can bring a spud with them," said Goulette. "You know, to poke and check the ice as they go and to check the strength as they go. Ice picks are made to have retractable metal picks that come out of the out of the ends of them. If you do go through then you can have those metal picks to claw into the ice and pull yourself out."
You should also bring a throw rope and a flotation device, preferably a life jacket. You can find those at stores like Brenner's Bait and Auto in Comstock Park.
"Early ice, I always take a rope with me and I have pulled people out and saved their lives," said co-owner Randy Brenner.
Brenner has been fishing since he was four.
While they've been slow all winter, that's all changed.
"There's quite a few going out the last couple of days," said Brenner.
All the excitement has everyone, from retailers to law enforcement, hoping everyone stays safe this season.
"If they don't feel safe don't go out there," said Brenner.
"Use common sense when you go out on the ice please," said Knott.
- Your safety is your responsibility! There is not a reliable "inch-thickness" to determine if ice is safe.
- You can test ice thickness and quality using a spud, needle bar or auger.
- Strongest ice: clear with bluish tint.
- Weak ice: ice formed by melted and refrozen snow. Appears milky.
- Stay off ice with slush on top. Slush ice is only half as strong as clear ice and indicates the ice is not freezing from the bottom.
- A sudden cold front with low temperatures can create cracks within a half-day.
- A warm spell may take several days to weaken ice, and cause the ice to thaw during the day and refreeze at night.
- Ice weakens with age.
- If there’s ice on the lake but water around the shoreline, be extra cautious.
- Stronger the current on the lake, the more likely the ice will give to open water.
- Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.
- Keep an eye out for dock bubblers or de-icers as the ice near these mechanisms will be unsafe. Always check the ice and be aware of your surroundings.
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