or interested in learning how to safely ice fish, should seek out a licensed ice-fishing guide. A list of certified guides is available at ohiodnr.com or by calling the ODNR Division of Wildlife's Sandusky office at 419-625-8062. Ask at a local bait shop about known areas of thin or dangerous ice.
• Always go out with friends and let others know when you will be on the ice and when you will return. If possible, take with you a cellular phone wrapped in a plastic bag.
• Use safe alternatives to local streams or lakes for skating or sledding. Delaware State Park in Delaware County and Dillon State Park in Muskingum County offer free access to their ice-skating areas. Check with your local state or metropark to see where conditions are suitable for skating.
• Understand wind chill factors are relative temperature guides. Although a thermometer may read 40 degrees, a wind speed of 20 miles per hour can cause a body to lose heat as if the temperature were actually 18 degrees.
• Carry two ice picks, screwdrivers, or large nails to create leverage for pulling yourself out of the water. They are much more effective than bare hands. Also, carry a whistle or other noisemaker to alert people that you are in distress.
• Dress in layers and add extra clothing for the head, neck, sides, and groin, which are the primary heat-loss areas. Wool and modern synthetics are good fabric choices for clothing; cotton when wet is slow to dry.
• Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or float coat. Life vests provide excellent flotation and protection from hypothermia.
• Keep an extra set of clothes in your car in case you do need dry clothing.
Avoid alcoholic beverages. In addition to reducing reaction times, alcohol lowers your internal temperature and increases the chances of suffering hypothermia.
• Never drive a vehicle, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle onto ice. Leave this to professional guides. This is extremely dangerous and most insurance policies will not cover ice fishermen’s vehicles that have dropped through the ice.