KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- The snowstorm went south of Michigan, and Chas Thompson with MI Ice Guys says that means some lakes and ponds north of Grand Rapids may be safe for ice fishing next weekend.
That is because snow tends to weaken ice by insulating it from the cold.
Thompson was a guest on West Michigan's Morning News.
He said the first bit of advice he can offer is to not go out on the ice alone.
"That's just ridiculous. Don't stand right next to each other, either. You want to be each other's rescue. Take a spud. That's a big steel bar that you can chisel through the ice with. We like two good hits of the ice with that before you walk on it," he said.
Thompson, who also is with Team USA Ice Fishing, said it's important to wear a floating suit instead of a coat that will weigh you down if you fall through the ice. He also said you should bring some safety equipment, such as a throw rope and an ice pick.
"But don't have them buried in some pocket, where you can't get to them. I thread them through my (floating suit) arms like your grandma used to do with your mittens, you know? When you scream and flail your arms going through the ice, they pop right out," he said.
Thompson said the ice may be thick enough now to safely hard water ice fish north of Grand Rapids.
"You know, the M-46 line. You're going to probably be finding some there decent. And when I say decent, I'm saying two or three inches (thick) in most of the lake. But you've got to look out for things where there might be springs or weeds coming through, or a current from a stream flowing in."
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