Dozens Rescued as Ice Breaks Up on Red Lake

Dozens of people out ice-fishing on Upper Red Lake were rescued Monday after strong winds caused the ice to break up. 

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s dispatch center received several 911 calls from people stranded on ice flows around 9:50 Monday morning on Upper Red Lake north of Kelliher. 

Police say approximately 48-50 people were out fishing with portable ice houses on the east side of Upper Red Lake when wind and poor conditions caused cracks in the ice to widen and chunks of ice broke free. 

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the call.  

A safe path from the lake was established with equipment made available. 

The operation took more than two hours.  As of 12:33 Monday afternoon, there was no one left stranded on the lake. 

Crews remain in the area and Kelliher Fire is checking the shoreline to assure that all are aware of the dangers.  

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office is advising everyone to stay off the ice due to dangerous winds and deteriorating conditions.