Be extra cautious if venturing out on early ice

A report of a four-wheeler falling through the ice on a Cass County lake comes after similar incidents around the state.

One man was rescued Monday, Dec. 9, and the search continued Tuesday, Dec. 10, for a second man after the ATV they were riding went through the ice around 6 p.m. Monday on Blackwater Lake in Woodrow Township, rural Longville, Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reported.

Elsewhere around the state, a 16-year-old teen died last week after falling through thin ice on a lake in Woodbury, and a 12-year-old fell through trying to help him but fortunately survived.

Also last week, a Duluth man died after falling through thin ice in Superior, Wisconsin, while ice skating.

A few other ice rescues took place in Woodbury and Olmsted County.

Closer to home, anglers have ventured out with portable fish houses on the Highway 371 bay of North Long Lake and Round Lake north of Brainerd, and possibly elsewhere.

"Sometimes incidents take place that we don't always hear about, when they don't need additional resources," said Brad Thesing, Crow Wing County recreation sergeant/boat and water. "So not to say that nobody's gone through, but we haven't had anything reported to the sheriff's office."

Law enforcement personnel shared annual advice regarding early ice and the need to be extra cautious.

"We're seeing those people that are very eager to get out there and do that early ice fishing, but the ice conditions are still obviously not very good," Thesing said.

"And we can never, obviously, guarantee that they're (ice conditions) ever going to be perfect," he said. "But when it is thin ice, we definitely don't want people venturing out there, putting themselves at unneeded risk."

Area Department of Natural Resources conservation officers report ice conditions are variable and they urge anglers to be careful.

In a weekly conservation officer reports email, CO Luke Belgard, in Pine River, said: "More anglers have started making their way to the ice. Variable weather has caused ice conditions to be hazardous or nonexistent. Please use extreme caution if venturing onto the lakes."

Thesing and Welk offer the following precautions to anyone going out on ice:

• Check the ice often while working your way out so you have a good idea how much ice you're on.
• Use ice picks; have them out and accessible.
• Use personal flotation devices.
• Wear ice cleats to help prevent falls on the ice.
• Go out with a buddy.
• Let people know where you're going and what time you'll return.
• Don't explore the ice at night because there are still open spots.

Thesing reminds people that if they do end up needing help on the ice, they're putting responders at risk too.

"We want them to be mindful that it's not just themselves. It's potentially a risk to other people that may be coming out there to help them if they do have problems," he said.

Welk advised people to talk to resort owners or others knowledgeable about ice conditions, and whether they should be using ATVs yet or be on foot.

"Monitor the conditions and make an educated decision. Don't just go out there if you're not familiar with the lake," he said. "Make sure you're talking and communicating with someone that is out there on a daily basis, because it's been changing."

With last weekend's warmer temperatures, Thesing advised people to be aware that ice conditions can change as the weather changes. Even with below zero temperatures overnight, daytime warm snaps and bright sunshine can affect the ice conditions and slow the freezing.

Welk agreed, saying both wind and temperatures can change ice conditions.

"We just want to remind people that if they go out on the lake in certain areas where the ice is good, as they work their way around the lakes the ice conditions can change drastically, especially if they come across springs or inlets or outlets of the lake — that can also have a huge impact on the ice conditions," Thesing said.

Bigger lakes take longer to freeze over while smaller bays and lakes are quicker to freeze, depending on water conditions.

Welk said early ice is like a first snowfall. Drivers have to become reacclimated to driving on snow, and those going out on early ice have to be extra cautious.

"You just have to really make sure that you're paying attention and knowing what you're doing, because you can get in trouble in a real hurry," he said.

Thesing said: "Sometimes it's better to wait just a little bit longer til we have even better ice."