Beware: The ice may be melting
Winter anglers should take heed of the recent warm weather before embarking on ice fishing trips on local lakes and ponds.
John Fraley, a spokesman for Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Kalispell, said there already have been multiple reports of people falling through the ice this year.
“With the weather this unusually warm, I don’t think any of the lakes are really putting on any additional ice at the moment,” Fraley said. “Especially if you have kids, I would never recommend anyone ice-fishing on less than four inches of ice. If there’s any question, I would say don’t go. Just wait.”
He added that a couple of weeks ago, an all-terrain vehicle crashed through the ice on Lake Blaine.
Chancy Jeschke, Snappy Sport Senter Fishing Department manager, said he recommends at least four inches of clear ice before walking out, and no less than eight to 10 inches for taking an ATV.
He also urged caution along the shorelines, which he said can weaken the surrounding ice by absorbing and holding more heat during the day.
“Get an ice spud bar and work your way out slowly,” Jeschke said. “Use your auger every 20, 30 feet and just pay attention to where you’re going.”
He added that the area’s sporting goods stores are a good source of information on updated ice conditions, as ice thickness and strength can vary day-to-day.
Regional state fisheries manager Mark Deleray noted that as the ice and snow atop the water melt and re-freeze, the resulting surface may not be as supportive as it appears.
“The strongest ice is usually that clear, solid ice that isn’t a mixture of snow layers or different density water layers. As you get the other types of ice formations, then structurally, the crystalline structure is not as strong,” Deleray said.
And every body of water is a little different. In some cases the ice will be thinner farther from the shore.
“You have to test it by drilling holes,” Deleray said. “Just make sure you’re not out in the middle when you start looking.”
Reporter Sam Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.