Hey Maine: Before You Head Out On The Ice To Fish, Remember These Key Safety Tips!

The New Year has arrived, kicking off the unofficial start to Maine's Ice Fishing season, and as folks start to think about hitting the road and heading out to their favorite spot, or maybe a new spot, there are definitely some important ice safety rules to keep in mind.

Whether you're an old pro, or a beginner, it's not a bad idea to keep these concepts in mind before you set your first trap.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife have a great "Beginner's Guide To Ice Fishing" that you might want to check out, too.

They have a saying in the Department: "“Thick and blue, tried and true. Thin and crispy, way too risky.”

They say that to ensure the ice is safe enough to walk on, fish on or drive on, you'll want to take a number of different factors into consideration.

"The first thing you should do before stepping on a frozen waterbody is to check the color and thickness of the ice."

"No matter what color the ice is or how sure you are of the strength you should check by using an auger, chisel, or an axe to determine that it is at least 4-6 inches thick. Start at the edge and check continuously as you move away from shore. If the ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, you should stay off."

Read More: In Maine, Can You Legally Drink Alcohol While Ice Fishing?

"Make note of any inlets, outlets, currents, bridges, culverts, and other potential hazard areas when choosing an ice fishing or ice recreation location. When possible, stick to small sheltered bodies of water."

One thing could also do, especially if you're not familiar with the area, is to reach out to locals in the area and get their take on the ice conditions. Often, they're the ones keeping an eye on the ice thickness.

Read More: 15 Must-Have Items For Ice Fishing Season In Maine

There's even a great online Facebook community page called Ice Thickness In Maine, where people can inquire on ice conditions in any area of the state.

Weather.gov has come up with this handy visual aid to remind you of just how much each layer of thickness of the ice can support.

Knowing what to do if you or someone you are with falls through the ice is important. Experts say to "Preach. Reach. Throw. Row. Go," if someone ends up in the freezing water.

Start with shouts of encouragement for the person to fight and hang on. If you can get to them safely to help them remove themselves, then do it. If you cannot, throw something like a rope or floatation device their way to help them not sink. If you have a small watercraft with you, try to maneuver it to them. And if all else fails, go get help.

Another important thing to do, if you are going to venture out onto the ice, is to let someone know where you are going, and how long you plan to be gone. That way, should something happen, safety officials have a location and a timeframe to work with. And that could mean the difference between life and death in some cases.