20170102 - Ice Fishing Safety (HRB)

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H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com Ice fishermen Dave Huebner (left) of Crystal Lake and Sandy Rogers of Cary watch their lines on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. Huebner, an ice fisherman for more than 30 years, said the lack of snow on the ice allows someone to more easily be able to tell how thick it is. He said he isn't usually one of the first people out on the ice as he likes to wait until there's a consistent crowd.

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H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com Ice fishermen Dave Huebner (left) of Crystal Lake and Sandy Rogers of Cary work to unhook a Northern Pike they caught and released on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. " I wait until I see others on the ice before I head out," Huebner said of the ice conditions.

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H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com Dave Kranz in his shop Dave's Bait and Tackle in Crystal Lake. Kranz said "There isn't any "safe" ice, it's a judgement call, best way to determine thickness is to drill."