March 22, 2007 at 8:16 a.m.
Don't push your luck out there on the lakes
Don't push your luck out there on the lakes
Yes, the fishing is quite good right now. Nobody with would deny that fact. The problem is that we're still seeing anglers in their sizeable vehicles out on the lakes chasing sunfish and crappies. Panfish, for crying out loud. Have patience, the shore ice will soon recede and we'll have access to those fish from the shorelines and our boats before you know it.
Simply put -- the ice is not safe. At this stage of the game, the sun's UV index is at its highest and is working double-time in March and April to darken and weaken the ice. In other words -- the cars and trucks you see out there on the lakes shouldn't be out there. Period.
A quick call to the Chisago County Sheriff's Office confirmed that they've responded to numerous calls of vehicles breaking through lake ice. In recent days, there have been two such incidents locally on Chisago Lake and one on South Center Lake, with lake ice in the southern portions of the county posing the greatest risk. Sheriff's deputies are now working in earnest to post "Thin Ice" and "Dangerous Ice" signs at all public access points on our lakes.
I don't want to dwell on a possible worst case scenario, but I will mention that if you and your vehicle do break through the ice and you're fortunate enough to walk away from the mishap, you'll face a lifetime of finger pointing, ridicule and hushed comments like, "Say, isn't that the numskull that drove his one-ton pickup out on South Center last March?" You definitely don't want to be that guy.
The open water fishing season is near. In the meantime, exercise some patience, good judgment and above all else, please be safe.
Dan Brown's weekly outdoor column is brought to you by Frankie's Bait and Marine, in Chisago City, and St. Croix Outdoors, in St. Croix Falls, Wis.
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