Coast Guard Issues Warning For Ice Fishermen

DETROIT, MI – The U.S. Coast Guard has a message for ice fishermen and anyone else who might ponder walking onto the ice over Lake Erie: Take note of the thermometer and remember ice melts at 33 degrees. Thus, the Coast Guard suggests avoid going on lakes and rivers until the temperature drops and the ice stablilizes.

The Coast Guard has responded to calls from 21 people in distress. Of those, three people have died. The calls have involved 13 people on ATVs to snowmobiles breaking through the ice, six fishing incidents and two people walking on or near ice.

"These numbers speak for themselves," said Coast Guard Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, Cmdr. Kevin Floyd. "We want people to stay off the ice until conditions improve, and share the information with their friends and loved ones."

The warm temperatures over the past few days have deteriorated the ice on Lake Erie, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard suggests that before people go on the ice, they know the weather conditions, dress properly, and carry emergency equipment, including life jackets and radios.

"Last week, we warned people of the increasing temperature and the associated dangers of going out on the ice," Floyd said. “We issued the warning after rescuing 10 people and losing one life due to unstable ice conditions and fog.”

Image via U.S. Coast Guard