THE BRIGHT SIDE
No ice is really (and yes, it’s well proven scientifically) the only safe ice to either walk out upon, fish on the surface of or handle.
Geneva Lake was wide open just a week and a half ago. Today is a different story. Ice fishermen are starting to show up on Geneva Lake. The lake froze quickly and then received a blanket of snow. Snow on the ice makes it hard to visually inspect the integrity of the ice and adds insulation to the ice adding to the risk.
Ice fishermen are reporting approximately five inches in places but that is not a guarantee and does not mean every area of the lake is that thick. Think twice before venturing off onto the ice. Cold water is always dangerous and can be life-threatening. The cold shock can cause dramatic changes in your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. The threat of losing use of limbs is also very high, making it impossible for some to get back on the ice and out of the water before it is too late.
If you are planning on taking the risk for that fish, be safe, let people know when and where you will be, check ice integrity along the way, don’t go alone, and remember no ice is safe ice.
