Warmer temps bring increased risk for thinning ice

Thursday, February 16, 2017

ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) -- With temps set to rise in the coming days, it may be the time to get ice fishing shanties off frozen lakes.

Scott Thiede with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said the upcoming warmer weather could create potentially dangerous conditions for anglers.

He says while the thickness of the ice may be up to a foot within a lake, the real danger could lie along the shorelines or at access points, like at boat landings.

"A lot of times, vehicles do go through the ice this time of the year - usually along the shorelines or at the access points, like at the boat landings," he said "You might think you have some time to get those shacks off, but with the warm weather, the shorelines going to start opening up and then you're stuck. How do you get onto the ice to remove the shack?"

Thiede says all ice fishing shanties must be pulled from the ice daily and when not in use on inland waters south of Highway 64 by March 5th.

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