Photo by David Moore for BlackburnNews.comPhoto by David Moore for BlackburnNews.com
Midwestern

Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation technician warns to be safe and prepared on lake ice

A Coastal Restoration Technician with the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation says the current colder weather might encourage people to get out onto the ice on snowmobiles or to go ice fishing. But Samantha Ventura says it's still very important to exercise caution.

Ventura says you'll have to travel further north to find any ice, but she says is some on Georgian Bay and further north but there are some basic practices that should be followed before going out on the ice.

First, she says, make sure you know the area.

“Make sure that you know the area and that you know how you're accessing and you have the proper equipment. Be sure to test the ice in several places while you're walking out onto the ice and speak with some locals because they know what the conditions are and where it's best to access.”

She also strongly recommends talking to local people because they know what the conditions are and where it's safe to walk.

Ventura says anyone going ice fishing should have an auger to test the ice thickness. She points out blue or black ice is the strongest and you need at least four inches of blue or black ice to walk on it and more if you're taking your snowmobile onto the ice.

“So if you have an ice auger, you can break through the ice and test the ice thickness. And of course, blue ice or black ice is strongest and you need at least four inches thickness of blue or black ice to walk on the ice. You need more, of course, to bring your snowmobile onto the ice.”

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