Ice Safety on Lakes & Ponds
Ice fishing, skating and snowmobiling are winter traditions, but ice is never guaranteed safe. Its strength changes with temperature, snow, currents and what’s under it. Check it yourself, carry rescue gear, and know what to do if you go through.
- Families
- Outdoor Recreation
Ice thickness guidelines
These general guidelines from state natural resources agencies are for new, clear ice. White or “snow” ice is only about half as strong, so double these numbers.
| Clear ice | What it may hold |
|---|---|
| Under 4 inches | Stay off |
| 4 inches | Walking or ice fishing on foot |
| 5 to 7 inches | A snowmobile or ATV |
| 8 to 12 inches | A car or small pickup |
| 12 to 15 inches | A medium truck |
Check thickness with an ice auger, chisel or spud bar every 150 feet or so as you go. Ice can be thick in one spot and thin a few steps away.
Warning signs of weak ice
- Ice near inlets, outlets, bridges, docks and springs, where moving water thins it
- Dark spots, slush, cracks or open water
- Ice covered by snow, which insulates it and hides weak spots
- Ice after a thaw or rain, even if it refreezes
- Ice on rivers and streams, which is rarely safe
What to carry
- Ice picks worn around your neck
- A life jacket or float coat
- A throw rope
- A spud bar or auger to test ice
- A charged phone in a waterproof bag
- A buddy, and someone on shore who knows your plan
If you fall through: 1-10-1
- 1 minute: the cold shock makes you gasp. Keep your head up and focus on slowing your breathing.
- 10 minutes: about how long you have before your arms and legs stop working well. Use it to get out.
- 1 hour: roughly how long before hypothermia makes you unconscious. Wearing a life jacket keeps you afloat.
- Turn back toward the direction you came from. That ice held you before.
- Put your arms on the ice and kick your legs to get your body flat.
- Use ice picks to pull yourself onto the ice.
- Roll away from the hole. Don’t stand up until you’re on solid ice.
- Get warm and dry right away, and get medical help. See Cold Stress.
If someone else falls in
Call 911. Then reach, throw, don’t go: reach with a pole, branch or ladder, or throw a rope or floating object. Don’t run onto the ice. Many people drown trying to rescue someone else. If you must go out, lie flat to spread your weight.
Standards & references
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