TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- Ice fishermen are taking precautions this week, ahead of the warmer winter weather.
Several inland lakes have already frozen over, but experts warn that does not mean you can fish the entire sheet of ice.
“Ice, I would say, is never uniform. Most of our lakes are spring-fed or they are fed by creeks or rivers…so it’s never uniform. That is why I’d say keep testing it every couple feet till you are certain your route of travel is safe,” said Grand Traverse County Sergeant Chris Oosse.
On Boardman Lake, fishermen are prepared for the worst. They were armed with safety tools, rope and what they call the “buddy system.”
“If one guy goes in, you get a long rope, tie it off on yourself and throw an end over to him…hook it onto a scoop and throw it across the ice to him and pull him out,” a local fisherman said.
If you plan on ice fishing this year, the Coast Guard recommends taking several precautions.
For starters, dress in bright colors so you can be easily spotted; carry a whistle so you can call for help; and don’t forget the buddy system. Never go out alone.
However, as temperatures rise, the most important advice for this weekend may be to stay off the ice altogether.
“The ice will weaken very quickly, especially is we get rain. If you have a shanty on the ice, I’d consider pulling it off. After the thaw is over, start back to the basics,” Oosse said.
