Best Ice Cleats for Ice Fishing, and the Safety Gear to Carry With Them

Short answer: the best ice cleats are the ones that fit snugly around your boots, bite into slick new ice, and stay on all day. The Minnesota DNR names two common styles: steel spikes and steel chain. Cleats stop slips and falls. They do not stop you from going through. For that, wear flotation and carry ice picks.

The MN DNR lists this kit for every trip on the ice: a foam life jacket or flotation suit, ice picks, an emergency whistle, a chisel or drill and a tape measure, ice cleats, a cell phone in a waterproof case (or a personal locator beacon), and a rope. Here is what each one does and what to look for.

No ice is ever 100% safe. Check it yourself. Gear helps you survive a mistake. It does not make thin ice thick. For how thick is thick enough, see our ice thickness chart.

Ice cleats: stop the fall

Slick, new ice is where cleats earn their keep. The MN DNR says many people are injured every year by slips and falls on the ice. A fall on thick ice can fracture a tailbone or wrists. A fall on thin ice can cause you to break through.

What to look for:

• Fit. The DNR describes cleats that fit snugly around most footwear. A cleat that slides around is a trip hazard.
• Style. Steel spikes and steel chain are the two styles shown by the DNR. Pick what fits your boots.
• Wear them on new ice. The DNR says cleats prevent slips on slick, new ice. See first ice: how to read it.

Flotation: the number one item

The MN DNR calls a foam life jacket or flotation suit possibly the number one item that keeps you alive if you fall through. Most people who fall through the ice die of drowning, not hypothermia.

• Flotation comes as insulated coats, pants, full-body suits, and foam life jackets. Choose what is comfortable enough that you will actually wear it.
• The DNR recommends a foam jacket over an inflatable one for cold water. Inflatables may not inflate properly in low temperatures. Foam also adds insulating warmth.
• Never wear a life jacket or flotation suit while driving inside an enclosed vehicle on the ice. It can make it very hard to climb out if you break through.

Ice picks: the second item

Pulling yourself out onto smooth, wet ice with numb fingers is extremely difficult. The DNR calls sharp ice picks the second most important item. The DNR shows two styles: exposed nails that stick into the opposite grip when not in use, and picks with a retractable plastic sheath over each nail.

Whistle, phone and locator beacon

An emergency whistle is inexpensive. Yelling drains your energy fast. The DNR says to keep the whistle around your neck where you can reach it. Some people have trouble calling out because of cold shock.

The best plan is to go with a buddy. If you go alone, carry a phone in a waterproof case. Phones do not always have service, so the DNR says to consider a personal locator beacon, a satellite-synced device that sends your location and an SOS to responders.

Chisel or auger, and a tape measure

The DNR says to make a hole with a chisel, drill or auger, then hook a tape measure on the bottom of the ice sheet and read the inches at the surface. Check for at least 4 inches of new, clear ice before you walk out.

An ice chisel (also called a spud bar) is a heavy metal rod with a sharp, flat blade welded on one end. The DNR says chisels matter most in early and late ice. On 4 to 6 inches of ice you will likely find spots on the same lake that are under 4 inches. Stab the ice in front of you with each step. The DNR is clear that this is not a substitute for measuring often with a tape.

Rope: for the other guy

If you see someone go through, stay where you are. Do not go to them. Call 911. Then throw one end of a rope and have them tie it around themselves before they tire out. They kick horizontally while you pull. If they start pulling you toward the hole, let go and start again. Tell them to roll away from the hole and not stand up until they are on stronger ice.

No rope? The DNR lists jumper cables, a long stick or tree branch, or an extension ladder. Keep your distance from thin ice so you do not become the next victim.

If you go through: the self-rescue steps

From the MN DNR:

1. Do not panic. Your first reaction to cold water is to gasp and hyperventilate. Get your breathing under control. After that you have about 10 minutes of meaningful movement to climb out.
2. Keep your winter clothes on. Heavy clothes trap air for warmth and flotation. This is especially true of a snowmobile suit.
3. Turn toward where you came from. That is probably the strongest ice.
4. Dig in your picks and put your arms on the unbroken surface.
5. Kick your feet and pull yourself forward onto the ice. If your clothes hold water, lift partway out on your elbows to let it drain first.
6. Lie flat and roll away from the hole. Rolling spreads your weight.
7. Get warm and dry right away. Moderate to severe hypothermia needs medical attention. Cold blood from your arms and legs returning to the heart can cause a dangerous heart rhythm during rewarming.

For more on weak spots, see pressure ridges, cracks and slush.

What the NY DEC adds

The New York DEC chart is for new, clear ice on non-running water: 4 inches for fishing or other activity on foot, 5 inches for a snowmobile or ATV, 8 to 12 inches for a car or small pickup, 12 to 15 inches for a medium truck. Stay off at 2 inches or less. The DEC says slush ice is about 50 percent weaker, and clear ice over running water is about 20 percent weaker.

FAQ

Do ice cleats keep me from falling through the ice?

No. They prevent slips and falls on slick ice. Flotation and ice picks are what help if you break through.

What is the single most important piece of ice safety gear?

Per the MN DNR, a foam life jacket or flotation suit. Ice picks are second.

Should I wear an inflatable life jacket on the ice?

The MN DNR recommends foam over inflatable for cold-water activities, because inflatables may not inflate properly in low temperatures.

How long do I have to get out after I fall in?

The MN DNR says about 10 minutes of meaningful movement once you calm your breathing. Do not waste it. Turn toward where you came from and use your picks.

Do I still need a chisel or auger if I have cleats?

Yes. Cleats help with footing. A chisel or auger and a tape measure tell you how thick the ice is. The DNR wants at least 4 inches of new, clear ice before you walk out.