Traveling on ice

The DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes. Your safety is your responsibility.

Before traveling on ice…

1. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
2. Evaluate ice conditions and possible hazards.
3. Know your plan of escape and have your safety gear accessible.
4. Measure ice thickness.

No matter how cautious you are when traveling on ice, there is always a risk of falling through. By following the ice thickness guidelines and being prepared with safety gear and an escape plan, your risk will be reduced.

On foot

While ice fishing is the most common activity we see on frozen waters in Minnesota, that is not the only way to explore our frozen lakes on foot. Many Minnesotans enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, iceboating, windsurfing, and kiteboarding among other activities on the ice. Communities around the state hold annual winter festivals with a huge range of out-of-the-box, family-friendly activities on the ice. Visit Explore Minnesota to find a new frozen festival in your area.

Recommendations:

• Wait for at least 4 inches of solid, clear ice.
• Wear a foam life jacket or other buoyant gear.
• Carry ice picks and make sure they are always accessible.

On a snowmobile or ATV

Snowmobiles are the smallest motorized vehicle that we see on the ice and one of the safest options if you choose to drive on the ice. Still, people break through the ice every year on snowmobiles, and on average, there are about two fatal breaks through each year on a snowmobile or ATV.

Recently, we see more and more side-by-side ATVs on the ice because they can comfortably hold at least two people sitting side-by-side and still have room to haul equipment. While these larger vehicles can be a great option, it is important to remember that they weigh more than the standard snowmobile or ATV, and therefore require thicker ice.

Recommendations:

• Snowmobile or small ATV - Wait for 5 to 7 inches of solid, clear ice.
• Side-by-side ATV - Wait for 7 to 8 inches of solid, clear ice.
• Wear a foam life jacket or other buoyant gear.
• Carry ice picks and make sure they are always accessible.
• Don’t override your headlights.

In a car, truck, or SUV

When solid, clear ice gets thick enough, it can support the weight of a vehicle. However, it’s important to remember that ice thickness can vary drastically on a single body of water. Driving an enclosed vehicle on ice always involves added risk.

If you choose to drive a car, truck, or SUV on the ice, be sure to follow these recommendations.

Recommendations:

• Stay on plowed ice roads whenever possible.
• Talk to local experts about ice conditions and known hazards.
• Roll down windows and unlock doors.
• Bring a life jacket or buoyant gear and ice picks in your car. Do NOT wear the life jacket or buoyant gear inside your vehicle. It could make escaping the vehicle very difficult if you break through the ice.
• Have a simple emergency escape plan you have discussed with your passengers.
• Don't override your headlights.
• Avoid pressure ridges, channels, and under bridges.
• Park at least 50 feet away from other vehicles and move your vehicle every two hours.

Overriding your headlights

It is never a good idea to drive too fast on the ice, but it is especially dangerous at night or in blizzard conditions. If you drive too fast at night, it may cause you to override your headlights, meaning by the time your headlights illuminate an obstacle in your path, you will not have enough time to stop.

At even 30 miles per hour, it can take a much longer distance to stop on ice than your headlights shine. Many fatal snowmobile through-the-ice accidents occur because the machine was traveling too fast for the operator to stop when the headlamp illuminated the hole in the ice. Another common obstacle for snowmobiles is pressure ridges which can be hard to see during both day and night. Colliding with a solid wall of ice can cause serious injury or death.