I was at a church potluck dinner a few weeks back and it happened to be at St. Christopher’s on the Lake in Prospect. The church nearly sits on Lake Arthur and anyone traveling on state Route 422 or 528 gets a pretty nice view of the lake.

A buddy of mine was excited to see some ice formed on the lake and declared that he was ready to do some ice fishing and was going to check out his favorite spots.

I hated to be the bearer of bad news, but I had seen ice, but also open water on the lake in several spots which would make it a polar bear plunge situation at best.

Every winter the news reports of someone walking on thin ice in more way than one. The zeal to get outdoors and do some fishing or skating or cross-country skiing can make people take unnecessary chances with their lives.

The PFBC has been warning anglers and boaters about cold water for years. Boaters are required by law to wear life jackets on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak during the cold weather months from Nov. 1 through April 30.

Hypothermia is a real threat and a person being tossed in cold water and having their core body temperature drop below 95 degrees while a person is usually sporting a body temperature of 98.6, you can see it doesn’t take much to put you at risk.

The best choices are to avoid being put into danger by following a few simple rules when you are on the ice.

There are many factors that influence ice strength, including water chemistry, wind and sunlight. Also keep in mind that dark objects in the water such as logs or docks can generate heat and have thinner ice collecting around them as well. Moving water or natural springs can weaken ice strength and thickness as well.

The PFBC has put together a chart for ice anglers for ice safety thickness as a general guide for proper thickness.

The number one rule is that an angler needs at least 4 inches of ice to be safe on the ice. Four inches can support 200 pounds of man and gear safely. Keeping that in mind I would like to have 6-7 inches of ice for a bigger person or a group of anglers.

A bunch of buddies drilling holes in the ice in the same area might be a bad idea as well. Four guys with a drilled circle of fishing holes around them sounds like a bad idea from the get go. Spread out the weight and string your ice holes out as well.

According to the Ice Safety Chart, an ice thickness of 8 inches or more can support a 2,000-pound car driven on the ice.

Ice fishing on the Great Lakes is a serious endeavor with many cars and trucks driven out on the ice with ice shanties in tow. Folks make them wind proof and comfortable with stoves and seats and lighting for the winter weeks ahead. However, Mother Nature claims vehicles, shanties and lives each year as people become complacent.

Respect the weather and keep an eye on changing conditions or you will be calling a rescue team to help you off the lakes if you are lucky enough to do that in the first place.

WCO Jon Kay announced at a recent meeting that I attended that the Spring 2019 stocking schedule has been released. WCO Kay is looking for some volunteers that are willing to help with the trout stocking.

You must be able to carry a five-gallon bucket filled with trout and water which weighs about 40 pounds. You will meet the stock truck at predetermined locations and caravan with the crew safely I might add to local trout waters.

WCO Kay has had a regular crew helping him for many years and I recognized them by their caps or shirts that they received from Jon for their loyal assistance.

The opening day of trout season in our area will be on Saturday, April 13 on all streams and lakes in the area.

You must possess a valid 2019 PA license and the trout stamp to fish the local stocked trout waters. You do not need the stamp at Lake Arthur or on the waterways that do not receive a trout stocking. The collector pin for fishing licenses are additional and can be worn on your outer clothing or hat in replacement of the traditional yellow paper license. A reminder though, the paper license is still required to be carried along with your identification cards. I buy both and put the button on my cap and the other license in my wallet or tackle box on the boat! Until we meet again, I hope that you are both warm and safe this winter season!

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.