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VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1 � rS � . �_ Cordless drill 0 XC, �.� c c 1. Using a cordless drill and a long, five-eighths inch wood auger bit,you can drill through eight tr inches of ice in less than 30 seconds. Most cordless drills that are at least 7.2 volts will , �> % work, but the type of bit is critical. You need a wood auger bit since they have a spiral called a Minimum Ice Tkickness GuiJelines "flute" around the shaft that metal drilling bits don't. The flutes for New Clear Ice Only pull the ice chips out of the hole and help keep it from getting stuck; much in the way a full-sized ice auger works. After drilling a MDEPARTMENT OF � NATURAL RESOURCES mnJnr.gov/ice5afety hole, measure ice thickness with a measure tape. Dry the bit and give it a quick spray of silicone lubricant after each use to prevent rust. For new,clear ice only Under 4"-STAY OFF Tape measure 4"- Ice fishing or other activities on foot 5"-7"-Snowmobile or ATV Use a tape measure to find ice's true thick- 8"- 12"-Car or small pickup ness. Put the tape measure into the hole and 12"- 15"- Medium truck hook the bottom edge of ice before taking Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be measurement. You can also use an ice fisher- unsafe. man's ice skimmer with inch markings on the handle in place of the tape measure. White ice or snow ice is only about half as strong as new clear ice. Double the above thickness guidelines when trav- Don't judge ice thickness by how easily a chisel or drill breaks the eling on white ice. surface. It happens so quickly that it's easy to overestimate the thickness. CHECKING ICE THINCKNESS Additional recommendations Before heading out on ice: 1. Contact a local bait shop or lakeside resort to ask about ,4 Cars, pickups or SUVs should be parked at ice conditions. least 50 feet apart and moved every two _ 2. Check ice thickness once you get there. (2) hours to prevent sinking. Temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the relative safety of ice. Ice is seldom the same Tip: Make a hole next to the car. If water starts to overflow the thickness over a single body of water; it can be two feet top of the hole- the ice is sinking and it's time to move the vehi- thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. cle. Check the ice at least every 150 feet. Ways to check ice thickness: For more information on ice safety or to request free publica- tions, please contact the information center at: Ice chisel Phone: (651) 296-6157 (metro area) or 1-888-646-6367 (toll An ice chisel is a metal rod with a sharp, flat free outside the metro area) blade welded onto one end. Drive the chisel into the ice, using a stabbing motion, to cre- Email:info.dnr@state.mn.us. ate a hole. Next, measure ice thickness with a tape measure. Ice auger -- There are 3 different kinds of augers: hand, Hockey/Pleasure Rink electric and gas. Hand augers are low cost, light weight and quiet. Electric augers are also Laurie LaMotte Warming House open Monday-Friday evenings quiet, but use less manual labor than a hand 5:00-9:00 p.m.,Saturday, 10:00-10:00 auger. Gas augers drill through ice the fastest, p.m. and Sunday, 12:00-8:00 p.m.. { but are heavier, noisier and generally more costly than hand or electric models. After drill- ing a hole with the ice auger, measure ice thickness with a tape measure.