Ice Safety
While running errands in Port Perry last weekend my wife noticed the amount of activity taking place on Lake Scugog. This is nothing new to anyone who lives on or near the water but the shock registering in her eyes when she saw a truck drive down the ice was quite evident.
If you are like me, then it simply kills you to be near the water but not on it. I lunged at the opportunity to share some of my outdoor savvy with my significant other with the intention of getting her out there - today. To the boat launch we went - the only access to the lake by vehicle. It was at this point I should have realized where this unfortunate trip would lead... To those, as Red Green would say, “three little words that men hate to say…”
The approach was perfect and my youthful exuberance was evident. We had to wait to get onto the ice as there were numerous others waiting to do the same. This was the ideal opportunity to share with my unknowing sidekick my infinite (soon to be realized finite) knowledge. She humoured me as I proceeded to tell her about the race track and the powerhouse machines that rip around on it. I told her about the ice making process and how the modest amount of snow on the ice made for perfect driving. Here is where I made my mistake. I proceeded to tell her that she need not worry about driving onto the ice; there was plenty to hold a truck after all. To which she responded, “How much ice is enough?”
I fought against those three little words. I ran through estimates of just how much ice I “think” there should be before venturing forth. I couldn’t lie to the woman. This had nothing to do with high standards rather the knowledge that should she ever find out contrary to my 'estimate' I would NEVER hear the end of it. Those three words spilled with force from my gaping yap, “I don’t know!” I now had a mission and the topic for this article.
Just how much ice is truly enough for us to trod onto a lake that was just months ago wide open? I looked to the Life Saving Society (www.lifesavingsociety.com) for my answers. Please be aware before driving out - your insurance is null and void the instant your first tire hits the ice.
According to the LSS:
· 4” (10cm) of “clear hard” ice is enough to walk out on.
· 5” (12cm) is enough to take a snowmobile onto
· 8-12” (20-30cm) is enough for a car or small pick-up truck
· 12-15” (30-38cm) is enough for a medium size truck
These numbers are not shocking. Had I hazarded a guess to share with my wife – I would have estimated thicknesses very close to these. That being said it is nice to “know” that when asked in the future I can reply with confidence!
There is currently 12-15” of ice over much of the lake. Call Causeway Live Bait at 905 985 0707 or Bite Me Bait N Tackle at 905 985 7855 for the most up-to-date ice reports.
Bass Wishes,
Chris Hockley
Copyright © 2005 Chris Hockley
It is illegal to reproduce or distribute this work in any manner or medium without written permission of the author, Chris Hockley c/o Blitzcreek Pro Fishing 47 Lorne St., Sunderland, Ontario, 705 357 9919 chris@blitzcreek.com