Ice fishing requires great deal of safety measures, preparation

SHERIDAN — When the creeks and lakes freeze up for the winter, fishermen from all around hit the ice to try their hand at ice fishing – which often proves to be a difficult activity as far as preparation and safety, according to avid fisherman Travis Blaser.
When it comes to safety, falling through the ice is the most daunting hazard, Blaser said.
“We do not recommend people going out on less than 4 inches of solid, clear ice, and it is good for people who believe there is 4 inches of solid, clear ice to test it with some sort of hard object before they venture out,” Wyoming Game and Fish Assistant Fisheries Management Coordinator Mark Smith said.
The recommended ice thickness only increases as the weight of the desired objects on top of the ice increases, with snowmobiles and ATVs at 5-6 inches, cars and small trucks at 8-12 inches and medium trucks at 12-15 inches.