‘Unusual year’ brings poor ice conditions in Minnesota

Warm temps, rain lead to open water on area lakes

This is the season when many Minnesotans enjoy ice fishing. But so far this winter, there's little ice to be found in southwest Minnesota.

Unseasonable temperatures and recent rains meant there was "wide open" water this week on parts of Lake Shetek, said Murray County resident Jamie Thomazin.

"I live on the south side of the lake, and it was all open," Thomazin said. "It's an unusual year. Usually I'm out fishing by now."

Conditions elsewhere in the area also meant uncertainty for anglers and planned ice fishing events. On Friday, the Lake Hendricks Improvement Association posted on its Facebook page that the association board members were still deciding what will happen with the annual ice fishing derby scheduled in February. The board was monitoring weather and ice conditions on the lake, and planned to discuss the derby at an upcoming meeting, the LHIA said.

This week, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources warned that the widespread rain, wind and warm weather this month have degraded ice conditions throughout the state. In a news release, DNR spokespeople said conservation officers and county sheriff's deputies have responded to incidents where ice fishing houses and recreational vehicles have fallen through ice. While many southern Minnesota lakes have open water, ice has also deteriorated farther north.

"Many of us love to spend the New Year's holiday with family and friends on the ice," said Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division. "But when it comes to ice conditions, the calendar doesn't matter."

There have been at least three ice-angler rescues on Upper Red Lake since Dec. 17, the DNR said. On Thursday morning, one person was killed when a commercial transport vehicle went through the ice on Lake of the Woods, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Bryan Bose, chief deputy at the Murray County Sheriff's Office, said he was not aware of any incidents on Murray County lakes so far this winter. But he has seen lakes that are completely open, especially after recent rains.

"I can't imagine there's been much ice at any point," Bose said.

The DNR said few, if any, areas of Minnesota have the ice thickness needed to support wheeled fishing houses.

"Most years, the ice would be thick enough by now for vehicles and wheelhouses, and we'd be seeing a steady procession of them heading north," said Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs. "But this year isn't 'most years,' and the ice is changing constantly. It's absolutely vital that anyone who heads out checks the thickness frequently, pays close attention to the weather, and has a plan in case the worst happens and they wind up in the water."

The DNR said no ice can ever be considered "safe ice." The agency recommends that Minnesotans follow safety guidelines like wearing a life jacket or float coat on the ice; checking the ice thickness at regular intervals; and not going out alone.

More information on ice safety can be found on the DNR's website, at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html.