Seadog,

When there is snow cover on ice, I carry a snow shovel. Also carry a large cup for scooping water into bait buckets or pour on ice. I like to shoot my sonar through the ice to find drop offs. Another use is to shovel snow away and then pour water, or beer in an ABSOLUTE emergency, on the remaining snow to clear the ice enough to make out an image below it. Keep in mind, most problems will occur on ice 1 1/2" to 4". 4" of weak ice is typically snowpack ice but you can still see through it to a degree. Once there is 4+" of good ice, I typically do not wear the life vest anymore, I shorten my sled rope, and out comes the power auger.