Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Going to return, again, to a topic I blog and talk about every year about this time. Have already mentioned it once this year. I know there are places in Nebraska where folks have been venturing onto the ice already. Also know I have seen some folks venturing onto ice that I would not necessarily have been on. Absolutely, will agree that it is up to the individual angler. No one but YOU can make the decision on whether the ice is safe. YOU have to make that decision every time you walk onto it. I will NOT make blanket statements about the ice being safe or unsafe. There is just too much variability in waters from one corner of Nebraska to the other to make those statements.
Again let me emphasize that YOU have to decide if the ice is safe, every time. However, if you want some reports, this is the best source, Official Nebraska Ice Report Map.
In my opinion THE one tool you should have to make sure you are safe is a spud bar! Yes, you can drill holes as you go, but I like the spud bar better because it can be used every step of the way as you venture out. If you do not have a spud bar, GET ONE!
Going to post another Jason Mitchell video here. Completely agree with his messaging on ice safety. These are good reminders, every year, no matter how long you have been on the ice:
One story about checking ice with a spud bar. . . .
Was out recently on some new ice with my son. We were checking thickness and he struck the ice a few times with his spud bar as he worked his way out. Then, he stopped and started punching a hole so we could see how thick it really was (by the way, MEASURE IT). He struck the ice in a new spot with the spud bar, and like a bolt of lightning a crack raced from his spud strike all the way across the lake. I have seen ice cracks course across a frozen lake before, but never one like this from one little spud bar strike.
A minute later, a coyote came walking across the frozen lake, directly from where that crack had shot across. I think it wondered what in the world was going on? It was laying in the bulrushes taking a nap when an ice crack bolted right underneath.
No, we did not find safe ice that day. It was thick enough for a coyote, but not for us!