CONCORD – Recent storms may have transformed parts of New Hampshire’s landscape from fall to winter overnight, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to venture onto ice-covered waters just yet.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department warns that thin ice conditions currently prevail statewide. While early snowstorms have left most of New Hampshire’s small ponds and the coves of larger lakes covered with an inviting layer of snow, in most cases that snow is covering a thin layer of ice – much too thin to support a person’s weight.

In fact, the presence of snow may actually slow the formation of thicker ice, because it has an insulating effect.

How can you tell if ice is safe? Always consider ice potentially dangerous, but the best way to assess safety is to use an ice chisel to chop a hole in the ice to determine its thickness. Make sure you do this as you venture farther out on the ice, because the thickness of the ice will not be uniform all over the pond or lake.

Information from the Cold Region Research Laboratory in Hanover shows there should be a minimum of six inches of hard ice before individual foot travel. There should be 8 to 10 inches of hard ice before snow machine or ATV travel.

“It is critical to never allow children to go out on the ice by themselves,” said Maj. Tim Acerno of Fish and Game Law Enforcement. “And you should never let children venture onto the ice on rivers and streams, because the current makes the ice so unpredictable.”

There are always areas of danger on ponds and lakes as well, according to Acerno, because in areas where there is current, such as inlets, outlets and spring holes, the ice will be dangerously thin.

If an object such as a rock is imbedded in the ice, the ice will be thinner around the rock because it absorbs the sun’s warmth. Other areas for caution are around bridges, docks and between islands. Wind and wave action on bigger lakes can break ice up.

“Snowmobile enthusiasts should be especially careful to keep ice safety in mind,” Acerno said. “The unofficial opening of the snowmobile season (was) Dec. 15, when many large landowners begin to open their land for snowmobiling. Riders should remember to check local conditions before heading out on snowmobile trails or on the ice. Don’t assume a trail is safe just because it’s there!"

For a free brochure from Fish and Game called "Safety on Ice – Tips for Anglers," call 271-3212 or you can check out www.wildlife.state.nh.us.