Before you go out on the ice, make sure you know how thick it is and the related weight it can carry. Thick ice in one area of a pond or lake does not guarantee the same thickness in another location of the waterbody.
Winter is one of the greatest seasons to enjoy the outdoors but to do so safely, you must keep in mind that ice conditions are always changing. There are many factors to consider when determining whether the ice conditions are safe, and they can vary from day-to-day and from one water body to the next.
Ice thickness is impacted by many factors, including the nearness to shore, the presence of vegetation, underwater currents and springs, the daytime and nighttime temperatures, the impact of precipitation and whether the ice is newly formed hard ice or old ice that has been sublimating (evaporating into the air), which can make it weak in spots and more easily fractured.
Venturing onto ice is always at your own risk, but when you measure the ice and inspect the condition you’ll be much safer. Stay safe – if you don’t know, don’t go!
The general guidelines for clear, hard ice are:
- Less than 4 inches – Stay off!
- 4 inches – One person with light gear. No groups!
- 5 inches – Small group, but spread out!
- 6 inches – A single snowmobile.
- 9 inches – Multiple snowmobiles, but spread out!
Learn how to inspect ice at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Winter Ice Safety Tips page.
by Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, Maine DACF
