How thick should ice be for ice fishing?

The Pigeon Lake Watershed Association, in its winter lake stewardship guidance, says ice should be at least 15 cm (6 in) thick for foot traffic and light activities such as ice fishing, and at least 25 cm (10 in) for snowmobiles and light ATVs under 500 kg. It says to keep off ice thinner than 10 cm (4 in).

The figures

• Under 10 cm (4 in): keep off.
• At least 15 cm (6 in): foot traffic and light activities, including ice fishing.
• At least 25 cm (10 in): snowmobiles and light ATVs under 500 kg.

Source: Pigeon Lake Watershed Association, Winter Lake Stewardship. The page shows no publication date. We read it in November 2026.

Why a number is not enough

Different organizations publish different figures, and no table can tell you the ice is safe where you are standing. Ice thickness varies across a lake and changes from day to day. Drill and measure where you plan to fish, and keep checking as you move. Treat any published figure as a minimum, not a guarantee.

Using ice reports on this site

Each lake page shows ice reports from anglers and published sources with their date and source. A report describes one spot on one day. It is not a safety rating for the whole lake.

Ice is never 100% safe. You decide whether to go on the ice and you do so at your own risk. See the terms.

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