02-01-2022, 02:05 AM
It's normal, I've seen cracks shoot through a lake from a long ways off that you actually can see, have had them go right through where we were fishing, just ice expanding. When you drill a hole if you see clear ice it's good ice, some might be mottled or cloudy for a inch or so it's good ice, just due to freeze thaw of snow on the ice that it looks like that, if you drill a hole and it's mottled and or cloudy throughout the ice is more than likely bad, warm temps in the day, but freezing temps at night will keep the safe, warm temps day and night will soften it. One thing I do is carry ice picks around my neck, they'll get you out if you should happen to go in, any new water or questionable ice I wear them, even if others are out on it, small safety net, but best bet is if your unsure of the ice is stay off it. Can fish on 2" if your careful. Another safety net is wear a life jacket if your unsure. Lots of good info on the net about what good ice looks like, if it's clear and you can see the cracks it'll give you a good indication of how thick it is. After time on safe ice you'll get used to the noise and when it sounds like a cannon going off and a wave that moves everything up about 2' won't bother you much. Stay safe.