Cold Water Kayak Fishing Safety

By: Tyler Hicks

Despite great efforts in promoting kayak fishing safety and advances in technology, that make it both safer and more comfortable to kayak fish in adverse conditions, kayaking fatalities continue to rise. This is in part due to the rapidly increasing popularity of kayak fishing and lack of experience as new kayak anglers engage with the sport for the first time. Drowning is by far the most serious threat and can be compounded and accelerated by cold water. Where I reside in the Pacific Northwest, long cold winters and cold water currents make cold water preparedness a year-round factor for the region’s kayak anglers. However, cold water is a factor that many anglers across North America will encounter at some point during the year. Spring is a particularly dangerous time when kayak anglers venture out onto dangerously cold lakes and rivers, after being cooped up all winter, lured there by warm air temperatures.

HOW DANGEROUS IS COLD WATER?

Water is 26 times more conductive than air. In short, cold water will suck the heat right out of your body in a hurry and that’s not a good thing for warm-blooded creatures such as ourselves. After ice-out, many lakes will often be less than 40 F. In these conditions, without protective gear, you will be unconscious from hypothermia in as little as 10 minutes. More importantly, you will lose dexterity and your ability to self-rescue will be extremely limited in less than 3 minutes! In water temps under 50 F, you may have 30 minutes of consciousness and 5 minutes before dexterity is hampered. Above 60 F your odds significantly improve with 30 minutes or more dexterity and potentially hours of time before severe hypothermia sets in. 

Hypothermia carries risks such as arrhythmia, heart attack, and death. This can happen in the water or after you exit the water. Cold water isn’t just a threat when you are bobbing around it and once you exit the water take immediate actions to maintain your body heat by shedding wet clothing, getting physically active, and finding somewhere warm.

WHEN IS COLD WATER A CONCERN FOR ME?

Many kayak anglers follow the 120 rule. This rule states (in Fahrenheit) that the air temperature plus water temperature should be greater than or equal to 120. With the caveat that water temperatures should be at or greater than 60 F. This is where springtime weather can lull kayak anglers into a sense of safety when air temps may reach 70 F but water temps may lag well behind in the 40s. 

COLD WATER KAYAK FISHING SAFETY GEAR

There is an old saying that goes “any day spent fishing is better than one spent dying” or something like that. In truth, thoughts about my mortality are usually not at the forefront of my mind when launching my kayak for the day. Largely because I am prepared properly with equipment and skills should I end up in the water. These basic equipment and skills are as follows: 

PFD (LIFE JACKET)

Personal flotation devices (PFD) are the most effective way to reduce fatalities on the water. Cold water can accelerate drowning by impacting your breathing and causing rapid fatigue. By wearing a PFD you significantly reduce your likelihood of drowning. If your lungs are full of water then hypothermia is the least of your problems. Wearing a PFD will help you conserve energy you need to self-rescue or be rescued but they also provide insulation around vital organs to reduce heat loss.

IMMERSION GEAR

Immersion gear comes in various forms but its primary role is to keep you dry or warm should you end up in the water. Quality immersion gear can increase your safety margins if you end up in cold water. Having an additional 3 or 4 minutes to get back into your kayak may not seem like much but it can be the difference between life and death. There are many forms of immersion gear each with advantages and disadvantages. I recommend the following: 

• Drysuit/Paddling Jackets & Pants: The best choice for kayak anglers these one or two-piece suits are designed to keep you dry if you end up in the water. Typically made from lightweight breathable materials for comfort they are fitted with neoprene or latex gaskets around the neck and wrists to keep water out. Many come with water-tight relief zippers allowing anglers to relieve themselves on the water without compromising suit integrity. Additionally, they provided ample spacing for layering of moisture-wicking thermal clothing to keep you warm and toasty. The primary drawback of drysuits is they can be costly with most suits ranging from $600 to $1000. 
• Neoprene Wetsuits: Neoprene wetsuits are not commonly used by kayak anglers but provide affordable protection against cold water. Wetsuit thickness requirements vary by water temperatures but will typically fall in the 2mm to 5mm range for most kayaking requirements. The downside of wetsuits is they can be excessively warm for physically active anglers and difficult to remove. 
• Waders and Jacket: Not ideal but accessible to many, waders, with a properly fitted wading belt, jacket, and PFD can provide some protection against cold water. However, once waders fill with water they can seriously hinder your ability to self-rescue. 

SELF RESCUE

All kayak anglers venturing out onto cold water should possess the ability to flip their kayak back over and self-rescue in under 3 minutes. You should be able to accomplish this without assistance. Practice during the warmer months getting in and out of your kayak but also practice with your immersion gear on. 

For some kayak anglers, cold water avoidance might be the safest option. Leaving your kayaks bundled up nice and warm in the shed or garage until water and air temperatures each reach above 60 F is an option. However, there are many excellent cold water kayak fishing opportunities out there worth pursuing with the proper gear and skills.