MUDDY CREEK TWP — With only 8 inches of ice between his feet and the water, Garrett Buzzard made sure he had ice picks with him in case he had to claw his way out of the frozen lake.

“I've never had any incidents, though,” Buzzard said.

He was one of the many anglers ice fishing on Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park on Saturday. Jake Weiland, assistant park manager, said it is a very popular activity there.

Due to the cold, it has been particularly popular recently. Weiland said there were 14 inches of ice last year and most of the lake has between 6 and 8 inches now.

Popular spots include Porter's Cove, Five Points, McDanels Launch and several areas along Route 528.

Despite the popularity, Weiland stresses taking precautions.

“There's no such thing as safe ice. It doesn't exist,” Weiland said.

For one angler and his gear, 4 inches of ice is sufficient. This amount can safely support 200 pounds. For a group of fishermen, about 7 inches is recommended. This can support 1,500 pounds.

The best ice, Weiland said, is clear. The worst is honeycombed, which is fragmented and fragile.

Anglers should dress for conditions, dress in layers and have spikes on their shoes.

Weiland recommends anglers not fish alone, but if they do, he said someone should know where they are at all times.

If fishermen are not wearing personal flotation devices, he said they should carry ice picks, which they can use to pull themselves out of the water.

Additionally, he said anglers should carry some kind of device to alert those nearby of trouble.

“A whistle is the best way to do that,” Weiland said.

Buzzard of East Liverpool, Ohio, said he also likes fishing at Pymatuning and Presque Isle state parks. He enjoys fishing in general, especially if he can get outside during the depths of winter.

“There's a lot worse things we could be doing right now,” Buzzard said.

Chris Cratty of Prospect was ice fishing for the second or third time. He also likes non-ice fishing, but said he enjoys some of the differences between the two. In ice fishing, he said, your line must drop deeper in the water and you cannot really see far from the spot you choose.

“I think it's more challenging,” Cratty said.

Dan Cooper of Harlansburg said Saturday was the first time he has been able to fish in a couple years. He was happy for the opportunity.

“It kind of gets you away from the cabin fever,” Cooper said.

For safety he carries ice picks. He said once years ago, he almost went through the ice on Lake Arthur. He and his fishing buddy noticed that they were standing in a growing pool of water and beat a hasty retreat.

He noted the challenges of ice fishing, including basically having to stay in one location with limited water visibility.

“It's a lot more rewarding because you're in a different element,” Cooper said.