Why you should never step on the ICE on PA Waterways during winter!
1. Extremely Cold Water Can Shock the Body
- Even if the air feels mild, the water is often just above freezing.
- Falling in can trigger cold shock, which makes it hard to breathe or swim.
- Hypothermia can set in within minutes.
🧊 2. Ice Is Unpredictable
- Ice on rivers is thinner and weaker than ice on lakes because the water is moving underneath.
- What looks solid can collapse without warning.
- Snow can hide cracks, weak spots, or open water.
🌊 3. Strong Currents Don’t Slow Down in Winter
- Cold water doesn’t stop the river from moving fast.
- If someone falls in, the current can pull them under ice shelves or into deeper water.
- Rescue becomes extremely difficult.
🚫 4. Slippery Banks Increase the Chance of Falling In
- Snow and ice along the edges make footing unstable.
- One slip can send someone straight into freezing water.
🛟 5. Rescue Is Much Harder and More Dangerous
- First responders face the same risks: thin ice, strong currents, and freezing temperatures.
- Even with gear, winter river rescues are high‑risk.
If you’re seeing warnings in your area, they’re not exaggerating — winter rivers are one of the most deceptively dangerous environments outdoors.
Factors that Influence Formation and Strengths of Ice
Temperature plays a key role in ice formation. As the surface water cools, it eventually reaches the freezing point, leading to ice formation. Long periods of colder temperatures facilitate stronger, denser and sturdier ice.
Wind is another influential factor. A gentle wind enhances the cooling process, promoting faster ice formation. However, stronger winds create waves that erode forming ice or break it apart.
Sunlight can slow down or prevent ice formation by warming the water, especially during daylight hours. Limited or absent sunlight will increase ice formation more rapidly.
Moving water, such as rivers or waves, is less likely to freeze compared to still water. The constant flow of water prevents it from reaching the freezing point, resulting in thinner and weaker ice. Solid ice struggles to form due to continuous flexing, moving, and eroding of the ice mantle.
Obstruction or vegetation in the water absorb heat from the sun, slowing down the cooling process and potentially preventing ice formation around and near these objects. These factors lead to thinner ice and reduced strength.
Snowfall during a snowstorm will create porous granular icee. A layer of snow on the ice mantle acts as an insulator, slowing down the freezing process. Accumulated snow on top of ice adds weight, impacting the overall strength and stability of the ice surface. It is important to exercise caution as snow can hide warning signs of weakened ice.
LET'S GO ICE FISHING! FIND SAFE PA PLACES TO ICE FISH!Photo: emholk / E+ / Getty Images
Ice Safety Tips
Never Fish Alone: A buddy can save your life in an emergency and help you get warm and dry after a dunking.
Test the Ice. Drill or spud a sample hole from a pier or dock, if available, before venturing out. Make some more experiemental holes to measure the ice as you move from shore. Stay alert for differences in the ice thickness and appearance as you move.
Wear a Life Jacket: A life jacket is as important when ice fishing as when fishing from a boat in summer. A life jacket will keep you afloat if you break through the ice and can help insulate you from cold water.
Wear Ice Picks: Ice picks are handheld, spiked devices that you can use to pull yourself out of the water should you break through the ice. Without them, it can be nearly impossible to gain traction with your hands. The paired picks are linked by a rope or coil and worn around the neck for quick access, if needed.
Carry Rope: If you're fishing a reasonable distance from shore, take along a rope long enough to tie off to a tree. Spread the rope on the ice so that it's near your fishing locations and can be grabbed quickly. If it's too far from shore to tie off, carry rope that can be thrown to someone in trouble.
Make an Emergency Plan: Discuss with your buddy what you'll each do in case something bad happens. Working through accident scenarios beforehand cuts your response time when speed and sound decisions mean the difference between life and death.
Be Aware of Changing Conditions: Underwater springs, entering streams, current, wind and snow cover can all erode ice thickness across short distances or during the intervening time between trips. Be careful after new snowfall. Snow can hide thin ice, pre-exisiting holes and inhibit freezing. Avoid ice fishing on rivers. Flowing water presents too many unknowns, and if you fall through the ice, you can swept away from the hole.
Stay Away from Structure: Snags, logs, stumps and rocks absorb sunlight and emit heat. Stay a respectful distance from any natural or manmade material and be careful around or over weedbeds. Decomposing plant matter releases heat and can melt the ice from underneath.
Carry a Change of Dry Clothes: Stash a change of dry clothes in your vehicle. If you get wet, a new set of warm, dry clothes will help prevent hypothermia.
Dress Right: Wear layers, including a wool sweater or other garment under a water-and-wind-resistant shell. Wool retains your body heat, even when wet. Always wear a hat when ice fising. An uncovered head loses alot of heat - heat you may need if things go wrong.