NOWTHEN, Minn. — There are plenty of Minnesotans who are anxious for winter, and the ice it brings to lakes across the frozen landscape.
But now is not that time. Ice that has formed on lakes, ponds and rivers in most areas of the state has been compromised by unseasonably warm temps and relatively mild overnight lows. If you have any doubts, two would-be ice anglers who were pulled from a lake in Anoka County earlier this week would probably advise you to hold your horses.
"Sometimes you just you do what, you know, you have to go do," Anoka County Sheriff Deputy, Chris Fjeld said. "You can't watch someone suffer. You do what you have to do."
The sheriff's office says two men and a dog were trying to do some early season ice fishing on Dec. 3 when they fell through and ended up in the water. Deputies responded to a 911 call just after 3:30 p.m. and found that a passerby had seen the men and somehow pushed a canoe out to them after they had spent a considerable amount of time in the lake.
Deputy Fjeld noticed the men were showing signs of hypothermia and made the decision to begin a rescue before the department's marine rescue unit and equipment arrived. With support from fellow Anoka County Sheriff deputy Grabmeier and St. Francis Police, both men, the dog and deputy Fjeld were able to reach shore safely.
"I was scared, the ice was cracking but you just move quick," Fjeld said.
The sheriff's office is using the incident to remind residents that ice on many lakes and ponds across Minnesota is not thick enough to walk on. By doing so, you are putting yourself - and potentially rescuers - at significant risk. Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website for guidance on walking, driving, or taking an ATV or snowmobile on the ice.
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