Ice Fishing

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Ice Fisher

Category

Sports, Stick Sports, Team Sports, Activities, Sporting Activities, Recreation

Message / Function

For notice in general and to indicate the possibility of catching fish through an opening in the ice resp. to identify the location of an ice fishing area

	Source	Description
	Québec	Side view of sitting human figure with fishing-rod and line, ice indicated by irregular horizontal structure, wavy line below signifying water
	Mamchurov	Side view of sitting human figure with fishing-rod and line, hole in ice indicated by elliptical shape
	shutterstock	Side view of fishing-rod and line with several details, hole in ice indicated by elliptical shape
	SAM Designs	Side view of fishing-rod and line with several details including fish, hole in ice indicated by elliptical shape
	Ayub Irawan	Side view of fishing-rod and line with fish, hole in ice indicated by elliptical shape
	Parks Canada	Two horizontally aligned bars, in space between fishing line with hook, fish next to hook
	U.S. National Park Service	Two horizontally aligned bars, in space between fishing line with hook, fish next to hook

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

The small collection above shows the basic concepts available in our database regarding the referent Ice Fishing:

pictograms representing side views of human figures with fishing-rod and line plus some indications of a hole in the ice,
renderings just showing a fishing-rod and line plus a hole in the ice, either with fish or without fish,
and finally variants displaying a fish with mouth open below simple renderings of a hole in the ice based on a horizontal line with a small gap, and a vertical line passing the gap, ending in a hook close to that fish.

In our research we discovered that also test results available for this referent are rather sparse, as only one pictogram is covered:

We have some information concerning comprehensibility of the Parks Canada pictogram No 6-4-316: Ice Fishing displayed above: since all pictograms that failed comprehension testing in Canada have been retired from use there, this variant must have reached a comprehension rate of at least 60 %, but less than 80 %, as it should be accompanied by a supportive text message when used, and does not have the status Retired. No information is available concerning wrong answers registered in the studies that were basis for this classification.

Recommendations

Regarding the small number of pictograms available it would make sense to develop further improved variants and then to examine all concepts on basis of tests: due to the fact that data from research is almost non-existent, we recommend to start testing using the Comprehensibility Estimation procedure for eliminating poor variants and identifying the best of the set available, followed by a Comprehension Test. These studies should deliver useful data for recommending the best pictogram. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories of the Comprehension Test should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs. Also information concerning knowledge about this kind of activity should be collected at the end of the test, as the degree of familiarity with the referent examined has a significant impact on the validity of the data collected.

Tests of pictograms of referent Ice Fishing

Parks Canada (2007): Parks Canada Identity Program: Exterior Signage; Standards and Guidelines - Version 1. March 2007.