Warm Weather Brings Worrying Ice Conditions

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The late-February thaw has left ice unstable on many lakes and rivers in the Northland.

Especially with the winter weather this season fluctuating, the quality of ice can weaken and be hard to predict how much weight it can support.

Ice that is over 4 inches thick is strong enough to support one person on foot. However, this might not be the case with partially-thawed ice.

The best practice is to treat all ice like it’s not 100% safe.

“It can be hard to tell the ice thickness and quality when you’re on top of it. But one thing we encourage people stay close to shore,” said Assistant Chief of the Superior Fire Department Howard Huber. “In shallow waters, stay away from areas where there’s current and moving water. They’re particularly dangerous and if you look for areas where the ice is darkened in color. Those can often indicate thinning of the ice.”

The Wisconsin DNR is ordering all ice shanties to be off the ice before March 16. The Minnesota DNR is recommending Minnesotan anglers to do the same by March 17.