MAINE, USA — One of the exciting parts of winter in Maine is the various outdoor activities, like ice fishing and ice skating. But there's a few things to know before you head out on the ice.
The most important thing is the thickness of the ice.
You want to start measuring the ice at the edge of the pond/lake and continue to check it as you move across the surface. Ice thickness can vary greatly across a body of water, and this means it's important to check multiple sections of the pond or lake.
Keith Forest, known as Tater, is the playground safety inspector for the Portland Parks and Recreation Department and showed us how it's done.
Tater said one of the best ways to measure the ice is with a drill. You can drill through the ice until you reach the water, and then measure the thickness after that.
Tater said you can begin to walk on the ice when it reaches three inches, but it's best to wait for at least four inches before you start ice skating or ice fishing. The more people you have on the ice, the thicker it should be.
If you're planning to take a snowmobile or vehicle out on the ice, you need the ice to be much thicker before you're safe to do so. A snowmobile would need 5-6 inches of ice to safely ride on, while cars need 8-12 inches. Driving a medium truck? You'll need 12-15 inches of ice.
You can get a general idea of ice thickness just by looking at it. Ice that is blue or clear is more high density, which means it should be thicker and is likely more safe. When ice is white, that means it has more air pockets in it and is thinner and lower density. Snow covered ice can be deceiving, so it's always best to check before heading out.
Ice sitting over a current or flowing water is particularly dangerous because it degrades the ice more quickly than still water. Pay attention to any inlets or culverts, because the ice will be thinner in those areas.
The best idea (after measuring the ice) is to head out with a partner and to have ice safety picks on hand when you enjoy the ice.
Happy ice fishing and skating!