Fishing by Environment: Ice, River, Lake & Ocean

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The water you're fishing changes the risk more than the fish you're after. Ice, river, lake, and ocean fishing each have their own specific hazards on top of the general Top 10 Fishing Safety Tips.

Ice Fishing

Check thickness before you walk out — 4 inches minimum for foot travel, more for a group or a shanty, and never trust ice near inlets, outlets, or pressure ridges.
Test as you go with a spud bar, not just at the shore.
Wear a flotation suit or ice cleats with picks worn around your neck for self-rescue.
Fish with a buddy and carry a throw rope.
Vent shanty heaters — unvented heat in an enclosed shelter is a carbon monoxide risk.
Early and late season ice is the least predictable — thickness varies far more than midwinter.

River Fishing

Use a wading belt and staff, and move one foot at a time facing upstream or at an angle to the current.
Knee-deep fast water can sweep you off your feet — check depth and speed before committing to a crossing.
Watch for sudden flow changes below a dam — releases can raise water level with little warning.
If you go in, float on your back feet-first downstream rather than fighting to stand up in current.
Watch for strainers — downed trees and branches in current are one of the most dangerous river hazards.
Never wade in bare feet or lightweight sneakers — foot entrapment on the riverbed is a real risk.

See also: Freshwater terrain and April — Paddling.

Lake Fishing

Wear a life jacket in any boat, canoe, or kayak, even on water that looks calm.
Watch for afternoon wind and thunderstorms building quickly over open water.
Know the lake stays cold well below the surface — a warm surface doesn't mean safe cold-shock conditions if you capsize, especially in spring and fall.
Watch for sudden drop-offs when wading near shore.
Anchor properly — never tie off to something that could capsize the boat if it snags.
Be visible to other boat traffic, especially fishing at dawn or dusk.

See also: Freshwater terrain and May — Boating.

Ocean / Surf Fishing

Never turn your back on the ocean — rogue waves are the leading cause of injury fishing from rocks, jetties, and piers.
Check tide tables before you go out — an incoming tide can cut off your path back from a jetty or sandbar.
Wear spiked or felt-soled boots on wet rocks and jetties — algae makes them far more slippery than they look.
Know rip current signs and don't wade past your knees in the surf zone without watching conditions.
Watch for marine hazards — shuffle your feet for stingrays, and watch for jellyfish and sharp shells.
Sun exposure roughly doubles with reflection off open water — sun protection matters even on overcast days.