DNR encourages ice safety precautions over the holidays
Nov. 23—Upper Red Lake perhaps has the earliest fishable ice in Minnesota, but other ponds and lakes across the state won't be far behind. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to be extremely cautious around the water over the holidays.
A pre-Thanksgiving cold snap means some lakes and ponds across Minnesota are beginning to freeze. However, this ice isn't safe to walk on and the water underneath is dangerously cold. Especially with children home for Thanksgiving break, it never hurts to remind them about the risks of cold water and ice.
Parents and guardians need to be especially vigilant about watching kids and ensuring children's innate curiosity about the water and ice don't put them at risk.
"Kids and people who haven't experienced winter in Minnesota may not have enough knowledge to mitigate the risks associated with cold water and early ice," Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director, said in a release. "Talk to your kids, talk to your neighbors —we all have a role to play in keeping people safe as the winter season gets underway."
While ice is never 100% safe, ice in the early stages of formation is particularly dangerous. Falls through the ice or into open water at this time of year can turn tragic quickly, and each year results in serious injuries or deaths.
On Tuesday, Nov. 22,
Kelliher Fire and Rescue posted aerial-view photographs
on Facebook taken by local pilot Joel Watrud. Although fishing resorts around Red Lake are documenting 3 to 5 inches of ice in most places, the photos reveal the many open water pockets spread throughout the lake.
Late November ice ranges year to year from completely open to walkable to possibly ATV-worthy.
According to the DNR, anyone who recreates on the ice should wait until there are at least 4 inches of new, clear ice before walking out onto it.
Other tips for staying safe around cold water and on the ice include:
* Wearing a foam life jacket or flotation suit.
* Not going out alone and letting someone know about trip plans and expected return time.
* Carrying ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure.
* Checking ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly.
* Bringing a cell phone or personal locator beacon.
* Inquiring about conditions and known hazards with local experts before heading out.
For more information about staying safe on the ice, including thickness recommendations for various types of activities, see the DNR's ice safety page at
For more information about surviving a fall into cold water, see the cold water dangers page at
