No Such Thing as Safe Ice: A Cautionary Tale from Partridge Lake

With pictures of the first truck, hitting the ice for the first time this winter season, Our Friends at Blue Top Resort shared a reminder of ice safety on their Facebook page for anglers and winter enthusiasts. While it didn’t venture far and did later return safely, this sight sparked concern about the safety of venturing onto the ice this early in the season.

While some areas of the lake show ice as thick as 12 inches, others still have only 5–6 inches, and there are dangerous open water spots and shifting cracks. This variability makes the ice unpredictable and hazardous, even for smaller vehicles like ATVs or snowmobiles.

Ice Thickness Guidelines for Safety

Experts recommend the following ice thickness for activities:

• Under 2 inches: Stay off—too thin to support weight.

• 4 inches: Safe for walking or ice fishing.

• 5–6 inches: Suitable for a snowmobile or ATV.

• 8–12 inches: Can support a car or small SUV.

• 12+ inches: Required for trucks or larger vehicles.

  
  

These guidelines assume uniform ice conditions, but as seen on Partridge Lake, the thickness can vary drastically.

A Word of Caution from Partridge Lake Resort

Blue Top Resort urges everyone to use extreme caution when heading out on the ice. Conditions are not yet stable enough for trucks or larger vehicles, and even wheelers or side-by-sides should proceed carefully. Remember, there’s no such thing as truly safe ice.

Good luck to all anglers, but your safety is the top priority. Let’s keep our ice-fishing season accident-free!

For the latest updates on lake conditions, follow Blue Top Resort on Facebook for more details!