Parking in one place for a long period weakens ice. Don t park near cracks, and watch out for pressure ridges or ice heaves. Don t drive across ice at night or when it is snowing. Reduced visibility increases your chances for driving into an open or weak ice area. Check at the access if there are signs that indicate an aeration system is in operation on the lake.
Aerators keep areas of water open to provide oxygen for fish.
The ice can be weakened many yards beyond where the ice is actually open. Stay well outside the fenced areas indicated by diamond shaped thin ice signs. Above all, avoid alcoholic beverages. Beer and booze increases your chances for hypothermia and increases the likelihood that you ll make a stupid mistake that will cost you or a companion their life. Having taken all of these precautions, you re now going to try your luck at fishing.