How to tell ice thickness

Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to measure the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I have bought a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and hack a hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB

Hi everyone.
On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to measure the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I have bought a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and hack a hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?
Thanks a lot in advance.
ARB



With cottages and civilization around a lake - watch out for
warm spots thin ice where drains / storm sewers enter the lake.
Even with a foot of ice everywhere else - you could get a trouble
spot. Thin ice also around dark spots in the ice - like logs or
cardboard - that soak up the sun's rays .. when the rest of the lake
is just marginal (a few inches).
Take care.
John T.

The only effective method of measuring ice thickness is by cutting a hole.
4 inches of solid ice is ample for someone to walk on. It will take a
couple of good whacks with an axe to cut through. If I can sink the blade
of my axe through the ice with one whack, it's a bit too thin for my liking.
If you plan to do the occasional fishing, you can make a cutter out of a
long pole of metal and you can weld a square piece of metal to the end. You
sharpen the square piece and hack a hole through the ice. It will cost you
about 20 to 25 bucks to have one made at a welding shop. The width of the
cutter should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. If you are going to go ice
fishing more often and if the ice gets over 1 foot thick, an ice auger is
the way to go. A manual ice auger to make 8 inch diameter holes will cost
about 60 bucks. The cutters are very fragile. Any sand, or getting knocked
about will prevent any further cutting until the cutters are sharpened.
They should be as sharp as razors. When very sharp, the auger will go
through the ice very quickly and easily. Occasionally, the cutters must be
carefully honed otherwise you will have to buy new ones for about 20 bucks.
I carefully hone mine (keep the original angle of cut perfect) and they get
sharp enough to shave the hair on my forearm. There are 6 inch diameter
augers and they are a tad less expensive. They are also fine if you fish in
an area that is not really cold and the fish are not big. A rather large
fish can go through a 6 inch hole but when it gets really cold, the holes
have a tendency to freeze up and get smaller. In -15 to -25 weather, a 6
inch hole really freezes up fast. But....cutting a hole through ice is a
bit easier with a 6 inch auger. Some people who do a lot of ice fishing,
most guides, all outfitters, use gas operated augers. They cost about 350
dollars. When using one where there are many fishermen, you can offer to
cut holes for a small fee. By the end of 2 years, your machine could have
paid for itself. But, you will have to haul smelly gas, the extra weight
and if the auger is not maintained, it could give you problems. Manual
augers always start.



"SC" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to measure
the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I have bought
a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and hack a
hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB

Well, I never realised there was so much to it. Thank you both for your
interesting and detailed replies :-)

It will be my first time ice fishing at my cottage and I intend to go on
16th February in Nova Scotia. I will post the group to let you know how I
get on.

Thanks again

ARB

"smiles" wrote in message
...
The only effective method of measuring ice thickness is by cutting a hole.
4 inches of solid ice is ample for someone to walk on. It will take a
couple of good whacks with an axe to cut through. If I can sink the blade
of my axe through the ice with one whack, it's a bit too thin for my
liking.
If you plan to do the occasional fishing, you can make a cutter out of a
long pole of metal and you can weld a square piece of metal to the end.
You
sharpen the square piece and hack a hole through the ice. It will cost
you
about 20 to 25 bucks to have one made at a welding shop. The width of the
cutter should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. If you are going to go ice
fishing more often and if the ice gets over 1 foot thick, an ice auger is
the way to go. A manual ice auger to make 8 inch diameter holes will cost
about 60 bucks. The cutters are very fragile. Any sand, or getting
knocked
about will prevent any further cutting until the cutters are sharpened.
They should be as sharp as razors. When very sharp, the auger will go
through the ice very quickly and easily. Occasionally, the cutters must
be
carefully honed otherwise you will have to buy new ones for about 20
bucks.
I carefully hone mine (keep the original angle of cut perfect) and they
get
sharp enough to shave the hair on my forearm. There are 6 inch diameter
augers and they are a tad less expensive. They are also fine if you fish
in
an area that is not really cold and the fish are not big. A rather large
fish can go through a 6 inch hole but when it gets really cold, the holes
have a tendency to freeze up and get smaller. In -15 to -25 weather, a 6
inch hole really freezes up fast. But....cutting a hole through ice is a
bit easier with a 6 inch auger. Some people who do a lot of ice fishing,
most guides, all outfitters, use gas operated augers. They cost about 350
dollars. When using one where there are many fishermen, you can offer to
cut holes for a small fee. By the end of 2 years, your machine could have
paid for itself. But, you will have to haul smelly gas, the extra weight
and if the auger is not maintained, it could give you problems. Manual
augers always start.



"SC" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to measure
the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I have
bought
a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and hack a
hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB

Well be careful & wear your chest waders & PFD!
Glub! Glub!
LOL
"SC" wrote in message
...
Well, I never realised there was so much to it. Thank you both for your
interesting and detailed replies :-)

It will be my first time ice fishing at my cottage and I intend to go on
16th February in Nova Scotia. I will post the group to let you know how I
get on.

Thanks again

ARB

"smiles" wrote in message
...
The only effective method of measuring ice thickness is by cutting a
hole.
4 inches of solid ice is ample for someone to walk on. It will take a
couple of good whacks with an axe to cut through. If I can sink the
blade
of my axe through the ice with one whack, it's a bit too thin for my
liking.
If you plan to do the occasional fishing, you can make a cutter out of a
long pole of metal and you can weld a square piece of metal to the end.
You
sharpen the square piece and hack a hole through the ice. It will cost
you
about 20 to 25 bucks to have one made at a welding shop. The width of
the
cutter should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. If you are going to go
ice
fishing more often and if the ice gets over 1 foot thick, an ice auger
is
the way to go. A manual ice auger to make 8 inch diameter holes will
cost
about 60 bucks. The cutters are very fragile. Any sand, or getting
knocked
about will prevent any further cutting until the cutters are sharpened.
They should be as sharp as razors. When very sharp, the auger will go
through the ice very quickly and easily. Occasionally, the cutters must
be
carefully honed otherwise you will have to buy new ones for about 20
bucks.
I carefully hone mine (keep the original angle of cut perfect) and they
get
sharp enough to shave the hair on my forearm. There are 6 inch diameter
augers and they are a tad less expensive. They are also fine if you
fish
in
an area that is not really cold and the fish are not big. A rather
large
fish can go through a 6 inch hole but when it gets really cold, the
holes
have a tendency to freeze up and get smaller. In -15 to -25 weather, a
6
inch hole really freezes up fast. But....cutting a hole through ice is
a
bit easier with a 6 inch auger. Some people who do a lot of ice
fishing,
most guides, all outfitters, use gas operated augers. They cost about
350
dollars. When using one where there are many fishermen, you can offer
to
cut holes for a small fee. By the end of 2 years, your machine could
have
paid for itself. But, you will have to haul smelly gas, the extra
weight
and if the auger is not maintained, it could give you problems. Manual
augers always start.



"SC" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to
measure
the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I have
bought
a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and hack
a
hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB

LOL and you forgot Brrrrr :-)

"Marc" wrote in message
.. .
Well be careful & wear your chest waders & PFD!
Glub! Glub!
LOL
"SC" wrote in message
...
Well, I never realised there was so much to it. Thank you both for your
interesting and detailed replies :-)

It will be my first time ice fishing at my cottage and I intend to go on
16th February in Nova Scotia. I will post the group to let you know how
I
get on.

Thanks again

ARB

"smiles" wrote in message
...
The only effective method of measuring ice thickness is by cutting a
hole.
4 inches of solid ice is ample for someone to walk on. It will take a
couple of good whacks with an axe to cut through. If I can sink the
blade
of my axe through the ice with one whack, it's a bit too thin for my
liking.
If you plan to do the occasional fishing, you can make a cutter out of
a
long pole of metal and you can weld a square piece of metal to the
end.
You
sharpen the square piece and hack a hole through the ice. It will
cost
you
about 20 to 25 bucks to have one made at a welding shop. The width of
the
cutter should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. If you are going to go
ice
fishing more often and if the ice gets over 1 foot thick, an ice auger
is
the way to go. A manual ice auger to make 8 inch diameter holes will
cost
about 60 bucks. The cutters are very fragile. Any sand, or getting
knocked
about will prevent any further cutting until the cutters are
sharpened.
They should be as sharp as razors. When very sharp, the auger will go
through the ice very quickly and easily. Occasionally, the cutters
must
be
carefully honed otherwise you will have to buy new ones for about 20
bucks.
I carefully hone mine (keep the original angle of cut perfect) and
they
get
sharp enough to shave the hair on my forearm. There are 6 inch
diameter
augers and they are a tad less expensive. They are also fine if you
fish
in
an area that is not really cold and the fish are not big. A rather
large
fish can go through a 6 inch hole but when it gets really cold, the
holes
have a tendency to freeze up and get smaller. In -15 to -25 weather,
a
6
inch hole really freezes up fast. But....cutting a hole through ice
is
a
bit easier with a 6 inch auger. Some people who do a lot of ice
fishing,
most guides, all outfitters, use gas operated augers. They cost about
350
dollars. When using one where there are many fishermen, you can offer
to
cut holes for a small fee. By the end of 2 years, your machine could
have
paid for itself. But, you will have to haul smelly gas, the extra
weight
and if the auger is not maintained, it could give you problems.
Manual
augers always start.



"SC" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to
measure
the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I have
bought
a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and
hack
a
hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB

Chest waders?? Isn't that the worst thing you can do? If the ice breaks and
your chest waders fill up with water then you'll sink right to the bottom.

Dre

"Marc" wrote in message
.. .
Well be careful & wear your chest waders & PFD!
Glub! Glub!
LOL
"SC" wrote in message
...
Well, I never realised there was so much to it. Thank you both for your
interesting and detailed replies :-)

It will be my first time ice fishing at my cottage and I intend to go on
16th February in Nova Scotia. I will post the group to let you know how
I
get on.

Thanks again

ARB

"smiles" wrote in message
...
The only effective method of measuring ice thickness is by cutting a
hole.
4 inches of solid ice is ample for someone to walk on. It will take a
couple of good whacks with an axe to cut through. If I can sink the
blade
of my axe through the ice with one whack, it's a bit too thin for my
liking.
If you plan to do the occasional fishing, you can make a cutter out of
a
long pole of metal and you can weld a square piece of metal to the
end.
You
sharpen the square piece and hack a hole through the ice. It will
cost
you
about 20 to 25 bucks to have one made at a welding shop. The width of
the
cutter should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. If you are going to go
ice
fishing more often and if the ice gets over 1 foot thick, an ice auger
is
the way to go. A manual ice auger to make 8 inch diameter holes will
cost
about 60 bucks. The cutters are very fragile. Any sand, or getting
knocked
about will prevent any further cutting until the cutters are
sharpened.
They should be as sharp as razors. When very sharp, the auger will go
through the ice very quickly and easily. Occasionally, the cutters
must
be
carefully honed otherwise you will have to buy new ones for about 20
bucks.
I carefully hone mine (keep the original angle of cut perfect) and
they
get
sharp enough to shave the hair on my forearm. There are 6 inch
diameter
augers and they are a tad less expensive. They are also fine if you
fish
in
an area that is not really cold and the fish are not big. A rather
large
fish can go through a 6 inch hole but when it gets really cold, the
holes
have a tendency to freeze up and get smaller. In -15 to -25 weather,
a
6
inch hole really freezes up fast. But....cutting a hole through ice
is
a
bit easier with a 6 inch auger. Some people who do a lot of ice
fishing,
most guides, all outfitters, use gas operated augers. They cost about
350
dollars. When using one where there are many fishermen, you can offer
to
cut holes for a small fee. By the end of 2 years, your machine could
have
paid for itself. But, you will have to haul smelly gas, the extra
weight
and if the auger is not maintained, it could give you problems.
Manual
augers always start.



"SC" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to
measure
the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I have
bought
a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and
hack
a
hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB

Good if the water is about 3-4 feet deep.Still wear a PFD though
"Dre" wrote in message
...
Chest waders?? Isn't that the worst thing you can do? If the ice breaks
and
your chest waders fill up with water then you'll sink right to the bottom.

Dre

"Marc" wrote in message
.. .
Well be careful & wear your chest waders & PFD!
Glub! Glub!
LOL
"SC" wrote in message
...
Well, I never realised there was so much to it. Thank you both for
your
interesting and detailed replies :-)

It will be my first time ice fishing at my cottage and I intend to go
on
16th February in Nova Scotia. I will post the group to let you know
how
I
get on.

Thanks again

ARB

"smiles" wrote in message
...
The only effective method of measuring ice thickness is by cutting a
hole.
4 inches of solid ice is ample for someone to walk on. It will take
a
couple of good whacks with an axe to cut through. If I can sink the
blade
of my axe through the ice with one whack, it's a bit too thin for my
liking.
If you plan to do the occasional fishing, you can make a cutter out
of
a
long pole of metal and you can weld a square piece of metal to the
end.
You
sharpen the square piece and hack a hole through the ice. It will
cost
you
about 20 to 25 bucks to have one made at a welding shop. The width
of
the
cutter should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. If you are going to
go
ice
fishing more often and if the ice gets over 1 foot thick, an ice
auger
is
the way to go. A manual ice auger to make 8 inch diameter holes
will
cost
about 60 bucks. The cutters are very fragile. Any sand, or getting
knocked
about will prevent any further cutting until the cutters are
sharpened.
They should be as sharp as razors. When very sharp, the auger will
go
through the ice very quickly and easily. Occasionally, the cutters
must
be
carefully honed otherwise you will have to buy new ones for about 20
bucks.
I carefully hone mine (keep the original angle of cut perfect) and
they
get
sharp enough to shave the hair on my forearm. There are 6 inch
diameter
augers and they are a tad less expensive. They are also fine if you
fish
in
an area that is not really cold and the fish are not big. A rather
large
fish can go through a 6 inch hole but when it gets really cold, the
holes
have a tendency to freeze up and get smaller. In -15 to -25
weather,
a
6
inch hole really freezes up fast. But....cutting a hole through ice
is
a
bit easier with a 6 inch auger. Some people who do a lot of ice
fishing,
most guides, all outfitters, use gas operated augers. They cost
about
350
dollars. When using one where there are many fishermen, you can
offer
to
cut holes for a small fee. By the end of 2 years, your machine
could
have
paid for itself. But, you will have to haul smelly gas, the extra
weight
and if the auger is not maintained, it could give you problems.
Manual
augers always start.



"SC" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to
measure
the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I
have
bought
a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and
hack
a
hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB

Ice doesn't necessarily get thicker as you go out - and in fact - often
gets thinner, especially in large lakes. Small shallow lakes can be
dangerous, my friend - beware - because of incoming artesian springs. An
ax will work, just don't whack too hard - and don't go out too far -
testing every couple of feet as you go. Good ice is black - as it has
little air in it. Where is your lake?
My name is John A. Vance - and I've just published a book called 'Ice
Fishing Basics' that deals with ice thickness and various methods of
cutting holes - but if you have any specific questions - I'd be glad to
help ( yes, for free). Just e-mail me at and I'll
give you any info/knowledge I can!
best of luck - John

SC wrote:
Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to measure the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I have bought a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and hack a hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB

NEVER EVER use chest waders for ice fishing. If the ice broke you would
drown
Steve
"Dre" wrote in message
...
Chest waders?? Isn't that the worst thing you can do? If the ice breaks
and
your chest waders fill up with water then you'll sink right to the bottom.

Dre

"Marc" wrote in message
.. .
Well be careful & wear your chest waders & PFD!
Glub! Glub!
LOL
"SC" wrote in message
...
Well, I never realised there was so much to it. Thank you both for
your
interesting and detailed replies :-)

It will be my first time ice fishing at my cottage and I intend to go
on
16th February in Nova Scotia. I will post the group to let you know
how
I
get on.

Thanks again

ARB

"smiles" wrote in message
...
The only effective method of measuring ice thickness is by cutting a
hole.
4 inches of solid ice is ample for someone to walk on. It will take
a
couple of good whacks with an axe to cut through. If I can sink the
blade
of my axe through the ice with one whack, it's a bit too thin for my
liking.
If you plan to do the occasional fishing, you can make a cutter out
of
a
long pole of metal and you can weld a square piece of metal to the
end.
You
sharpen the square piece and hack a hole through the ice. It will
cost
you
about 20 to 25 bucks to have one made at a welding shop. The width
of
the
cutter should be about 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. If you are going to
go
ice
fishing more often and if the ice gets over 1 foot thick, an ice
auger
is
the way to go. A manual ice auger to make 8 inch diameter holes
will
cost
about 60 bucks. The cutters are very fragile. Any sand, or getting
knocked
about will prevent any further cutting until the cutters are
sharpened.
They should be as sharp as razors. When very sharp, the auger will
go
through the ice very quickly and easily. Occasionally, the cutters
must
be
carefully honed otherwise you will have to buy new ones for about 20
bucks.
I carefully hone mine (keep the original angle of cut perfect) and
they
get
sharp enough to shave the hair on my forearm. There are 6 inch
diameter
augers and they are a tad less expensive. They are also fine if you
fish
in
an area that is not really cold and the fish are not big. A rather
large
fish can go through a 6 inch hole but when it gets really cold, the
holes
have a tendency to freeze up and get smaller. In -15 to -25
weather,
a
6
inch hole really freezes up fast. But....cutting a hole through ice
is
a
bit easier with a 6 inch auger. Some people who do a lot of ice
fishing,
most guides, all outfitters, use gas operated augers. They cost
about
350
dollars. When using one where there are many fishermen, you can
offer
to
cut holes for a small fee. By the end of 2 years, your machine
could
have
paid for itself. But, you will have to haul smelly gas, the extra
weight
and if the auger is not maintained, it could give you problems.
Manual
augers always start.



"SC" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone.

On the subject of ice fishing, can anyone tell me a cheap way to
measure
the
ice thickness without buying one of those ice drill things? I
have
bought
a
house by quite a shallow lake, so could I carefully step out and
hack
a
hole
with an axe and does the ice get thicker the further out you go?

Thanks a lot in advance.

ARB