FishUSA Angler Resources

Seven Must Have Pieces of Ice Fishing Safety Gear

By: Ross Robertson

December 13, 2023

When many of us hear the word safety we immediately tune it out like we're back in class and just too cool for school. The reality is that while caution needs to be exercised in all outdoor activities, ice fishing has to be at the top of that list. Having safety gear with you, and most importantly readily available, is something that each and every ice angler needs to keep in mind.

Table of Contents

  • Ice Chisel
  • Ice Picks
  • GPS
  • Ice Cleats
  • VHF Radio
  • Rope Throw Bag
  • Float Suit

When many of us hear the word safety we immediately tune it out like we're back in class and just too cool for school. The reality is that while caution needs to be exercised in all outdoor activities, ice fishing has to be at the top of that list. Having safety gear with you, and most importantly readily available, is something that each and every ice angler needs to keep in mind.

Here are seven items you should carry this ice season.

Ice Chisel

Also known to many as a spud bar, this steel bar with a sharpened end can be used to check ice thickness and for bad spots ahead of where you are walking. This will allow you to find those bad pockets or check thickness very quickly. In the case of an emergency, it can be a good tool to use for momentum to help get you back up topside. Personally, I prefer a two-piece spud bar because they typically are longer and can be used like a walking stick. They are also easier for me to check ice without hunching over. When they aren’t being used, they can be broken down for easier storage.

Ice Picks

When placed around your neck on the outside of your parka they can be grabbed if you do go in and used to help you get traction to get back on top of the ice. Most ice picks have sharpened ends to stick into the ice, but hook together when not in use to keep them from jabbing into you and stay put around your neck. Ice picks are quite inexpensive and can literally save your life.

GPS

Even a small lake can feel like the ocean when snow starts blowing or the sun goes down. When using a machine for travel simply purchase an extra power cable and bracket to move a unit over from your boat or kayak. Many anglers think that a phone will be enough, but then realize that when using maps in cold weather a battery quickly dies. Another benefit of a more traditional marine GPS is that having the ability to save tracks or routes can help you safely navigate around poor ice conditions back to safety. Having a compass in your parka is also a good backup in case of a battery failure.

Ice Cleats

Speaking from experience, at some point you will have equipment failure that will cause you to walk farther than you will want to. When you try to walk on the ice of almost any distance, especially on glare ice, you will quickly learn that a good pair of ice cleats will keep you from feeling like you walked across the country overnight. If you need to help someone out of the water the added traction that they provide can be lifesaving. A quality pair that will fit over larger boots that are most commonly used for ice fishing is key.

WHF Radio

In the event that an accident does happen the biggest issue is typically that anglers aren’t prepared to get help in a timely fashion. While cell phones can be a great tool, they always seem to be dead or not have service when we need them most. This is particularly the case when fishing on large lakes. In this scenario, something as simple as a handheld VHF radio can help you get a distress call out. Models are available that can even send out a distress signal with your GPS coordinates. In remote backwoods areas, a personal locator beacon can be an even better option.

Rope Throw Bag

It’s no secret that ice fishing with a buddy is a smart decision. It's an even smarter decision that each person has a rope throw bag. A throw bag typically has fifty feet of rope in a bag that can be thrown to a friend in case of an emergency. Having one clipped onto your jacket and or machine and not buried in the bottom of a bucket full of hooks is key. Many anglers on first and last ice will pull out the rope and let it trail behind them so in case of falling in your buddy already has the rope ready for action.

Float Suit

If you were to fall in, you’d quickly learn that all of that heavy warm clothing feels like cement when soaking wet. A float suit is designed to keep you upright until help can arrive. It is important to know that there are two different types of floatation suits. The first is a Coast Guard-approved suit that needs to be tightly fit in the cuffs and legs as it is designed to keep water out. The only issue with these types of suits is that they are stiff, heavy, and in most cases, anglers don’t have them on like they need to be in case of a emergency.

The other type is a non-certified Coast Guard floatation suit. This type of suit is designed to keep you afloat and for water to drain out of the suit. The advantage is that they are much more comfortable, breathable, and easier to get into and out of.

There are certinaly more than seven pieces of ice safety gear to carry, but if you have these seven readily available on your next trip you chances of getting out of trouble are much greater.