Stay safe on the ice

Ice fishers are still taking to the ice in spite of warmer than average temperatures this season.

But, because of the warm weather, expect a shorter than normal season this year, said Jeff Edwards, Hill City’s conservation officer for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

“Obviously, it has been unseasonably warm this year, and we did have some ice production prior to the new year, but I would say it was really quite limited,” he said. “In the last 20 years, maybe this is one or two seasons that I can remember that Pactola — even the dam face — didn’t seal over, and it’s still open water.”

Right now, at Sheridan Lake, there is about 10 inches of ice, Edwards said, and at Deerfield Lake there’s about 12-18 inches of ice depending on what part of the lake on which one is standing.

Even with that, in these bodies of water there are springs and warm pockets that could impact ice depth, Edwards said.

Coupled with warmer than average weather was a late start in the season with cold temperatures that is impacting ice depth.

“In some years when we’ve had those cold temps in October and November we might already have two feet of ice or more up on Deerfield, and Sheridan might already have 18 inches of ice,” Edwards said. “So it’s going to be a little bit shorter season this year.”

And the fact that there are days where the temperature is in the 40s, 50s and 60s isn’t helping at all, he added, in spite of the fact that night temperatures are routinely below freezing.

But, he said, people are exercising good, old fashioned common sense on the ice this year.

This year, he said, is not a good year to drive pickup trucks out onto the ice  and if one does they’re putting their fate in their own hands.

There are ice shacks up on Deerfield Lake right now, which is safe to do, he said. There are also all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles being driven out onto the ice, which, Edwards said, is always much safer to do than driving a truck out onto the ice.

Edwards said if he were to take a four-wheeler out onto the ice, he would wear a life jacket in the event he does fall in as well as carry ice picks to help him get out of the water.

Even in a good year, Edwards said to tell someone before heading out which body of water one intends to spend the day and should probably go out with someone.

If one falls through the ice, Edwards said the first thing to do is to put on warm clothes and drink some warm fluids.

“But as far as if your vehicle or if your UTV (utility vehicle) were to fall through, in most cases they’re going to mark the spot,” he said. “I am not involved with vehicle extraction and UTV and ATV extraction, but in most cases there are a couple of services out of Rapid City that can do that.”

As a reminder, he said two inches of ice can support someone walking out on foot (Edwards said he personally prefers four inches). Six to eight inches is recommended for ATVs and snowmobiles and for a vehicle a foot or more is recommended.

Edwards reiterated that this is going to be a short season, and, even so, Feb. 28 is the day to remove permanent ice shacks from the ice.

“For right now, obviously people are aware of our unseasonably warm season, and they seem to be exercising good caution,” he said.

Take caution

If heading out to the ice, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks recommends these precautions:

•           Avoid ice heaves, springs and current areas

•           Always check ice conditions as you are traveling on a body of water. This year, more than ever, ice thickness and strength are extremely variable

•           Check social media and local sporting goods stores for ice conditions and areas to avoid

• Avoid traveling on the ice after sundown, especially on lakes that you are not familiar with

• Carry ice picks and rope in your coat or pants

• Always fish with a buddy

• Wearing a flotation coat/suit or a lifejacket is recommended

• Always let someone know where you are. It is also a great idea to let someone know when you are leaving shore to fish and then let them know often that you are OK

•           Keep your cell phone in a waterproof bag and in a pocket at all times

Falling through

If you fall through the ice, first, don’t panic, which, of course, is easier said than done.

Follow these steps from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks:

• When you fall through, throw your arms sideways to catch the edge of the ice if possible

• Stay calm — you will have 10 to 15 minutes before hypothermia sets in, and you need to save your energy

• Hold on to the edge of the ice and identify where you think safe ice is. If you walked out, go toward where you were walking

• Once you are calm, holding on to the edge of the ice, start flattening out your body by kicking your feet as if you are swimming

• Once your body is flat, use your ice picks to start pulling yourself out. Keep kicking your feet

• Once out, keep crawling away from the open water until you are back on stronger ice

• You need to get into a warm shelter or start a fire, if possible

• Get out of those wet clothes as fast as possible