Maybe you missed the outdoor expo in Manchester because you were outside enjoying one of your favorite winter activities last weekend (not to mention you may have been planning your Super Bowl Party!). It seems that even with the temperatures the way they have been, the ice has been still been forming on the lakes and ponds, but with the annual ice fishing derby going on this weekend, you should ask yourself if it's really thick enough?
The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game reported the ice on lakes and ponds could still be dangerously thin. The dangerous ice conditions could affect this weekend’s ice fishing derby on Lake Winnipesaukee. In other parts of the state some folks are going about their business enjoying their favorite winter activities.
On lake Massabesic one fisherman had several tip-ups setup and had little concern about the ice thickness. When asked about ice thickness he said, in the area he was sitting it, “the ice is about six inches thick.”
There were several fishermen on the lake and it didn’t seem to matter there was a clear warning of thin ice posted near a culvert where the lake passes under route 28 and the water is still open - the fisherman with several tip-ups had one of them situated where the thin ice sign was located, he thought the ice was safe enough for him there as well; he said “the ice is thinner, but still safe.” There are more than just fishermen taking a risk out on the lake; plenty of iceboats and hockey players are taking advantage of the areas of the lake that appear to have enough ice to support them as well.
It turns out that for a single person, the six inches should be just fine to support someone. The problem this year is that the ice is uneven and you need to pay particular attention to the thickness levels to stay safe. Without doing any in-depth research, the thickness of ice should be safe on the smaller ponds, but on the larger bodies of water tread lightly and make sure you ‘re aware of where you’re stepping.
A few links about ice safety to help you out:
NH Outdoors Ice thickness guide
Dartmouth College safety checklist
NH Fish & Game Ice fishing safety brochure
Be aware of where you are, how thick the ice is where you’re going, and in the words that Michael Conrad (1925-1983) started every episode of Hill Street Blues with, “Let’s be careful out there.”
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