With a sudden chill, first ice is fast upon us, but as local lakes and waters freeze up and anglers eagerly await the initial inches to form, now is an important time to take stock of those safety items that are as necessary at the beginning of the hardwater season as they are at the end of it. So, before your sonar is charged and you’ve test run your auger a few times alongside your snowblower after the recent seasonal shift, take stock of these important pieces of on-ice gear that will keep you safer all season long.

Get a grip

There’s an adage that no ice is safe ice. The meaning is rather simple in that no matter how solid a stretch of a lake, pond or river might look, there are many things that can weaken it resulting in breakthroughs and imminent danger. Even good, solid ice that can hold a truck still poses a threat, and it’s one I’ve dealt with a few times, and that comes down to the slippery nature of the surface. I learned long ago after going airborne, backside over teakettle, that a pair of ice cleats goes a long way in helping to prevent falls and spills on the ice — a surface as unforgiving as concrete. Investing in a pair of ice creepers or cleats that can be easily placed on boots is a must, especially if you plan on sprinting to those first tip-up flags of the season. Get that traction to keep your ice angling adventures on track and remember to take them off if you’re wearing your boots on smooth concrete or the tackle shop’s tile floor.

Chisel to check

As anglers venture out on early ice, a spud bar is a necessary item that not only helps with stability as you move along, but its pointy end also can easily hammer into the ice to check its thickness. Every ten feet or so, use a spud bar to examine the ice noting that a good four inches of clear ice is ideal for ice angling. If the ice suddenly gets thinner, remember to turn around and walk back to shore the way you came, you already know that ice is thick enough to support your weight. Invest in a spud bar for early ice angling, because knowing the status of ice and its thickness is the most important factor when heading out after things harden.

Boy oh buoyant

At early ice, when breakthroughs are most common for individual anglers, having some form of buoyancy is of the utmost importance. Many models of modern ice fishing suits now provide a floatation system built into the garments in addition to providing thermal protection. If your jacket and overalls don’t have this feature, consider slipping a life jacket on under your top layer, even if just at early ice. Once you’re set up on your spot you can slip it off, and don it again if you go out for a scouting mission. Having that extra buoyancy of a floating suit or a PFD will help counteract the natural loss of buoyancy from your lungs that occurs when cold water causes a sudden, instinctive exhale.

Stick the landing

Finally, having a set of safety spikes made from floating material that can be hung over your shoulders is a final check when heading out on first ice. Whether it’s a hand-crafted pair of wooden dowels with nails in them, or a plastic model from the store, having a corded pair of picks will help in case of a breakthrough in gaining leverage on the ice. Remember once again to turn back the way you came if you find yourself in the water and pull yourself up by sticking the picks into the ice and kicking with your feet. Here too, the buoyancy of a life vest or floatation suit also helps in escape.

In addition to cleats, a spud bar, some sort of floatation and ice picks, it’s also wise to pack a spare change of clothing in your vehicle on shore in case you ever need to get out of wet clothes. Removing moisture when getting warm is the first step in preventing hypothermia. Pack a pair of sweatpants, an old sweatshirt and some thermal socks at the very least and leave them in the vehicle all winter. Having these items handy now and all throughout the ice fishing season will ensure that while no ice is ever safe ice, you can be as safe as possible … in our outdoors.