Fishermen trying to get off Red Lake, emergency personnel enroute

[MNfan]

Two ice fishermen are reportedly trying to find a way off upper Red Lake after strong winds caused the ice to break.

A call to area emergency personnel came in after 1 p.m.

The men were reported standing 100 feet from shore near Roger’s Resort, 49690 Rogers Road NE in Kelliher, and are reported to be traveling on an all-terrain vehicle on the ice toward the Waskish Municipal Airport and West Wind Resort.

It marks the second time in five days that emergency personnel have been called to Upper Red Lake to help fishermen.

Last Friday, two fishermen on Upper Red Lake began floating away from shore when the ice they were on broke away. The men, on an ice block 6 inches thick drifting in 9-feet of water, were brought to shore by Bemidji firefighters using a hovercraft.

Firefighter Jake Hawley said the crew of four firefighters unloaded the hovercraft and took it to the block of ice, about 300 to 400 yards from shore, to pick up the men.

One of the explanations for the breakaway ice block was Friday’s wind. Beltrami County Sheriff Phil Hodapp said while Upper Red Lake is one of the first lakes to freeze, strong winds can cause wave action under the ice, forcing the ice to break

[TylerS]

How many idiots does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Trick question: they're all floating away on Red Lake ice bergs...

[that_guy]

I hope they get off safely...with that being said.

Ever wonder if once the phone call is made to the authorities, if they don't sit down and keep fishing until they show up? Not much else one can do...

[jholland]

Some definitely do. I've seen a couple guys sitting next to the huge hole there car just went through doing some fishing all the while emergency personnel are pulling the car out.

Like you said, there really isn't much else you can do, and I'd assume the emergency crew doesn't exactly ask for your help..

[reinhard1]

i would think they would be very nervous at further cracks developing. i remember for years the guys on the north shore would bring their small 12 or 14 foot boats on the ice with them in case the ice leaves behind them. i think some still do. good luck.

[tsande00]

100' from shore? Couldn't somebody at Rogers have thrown in the 14' Lund and buzzed out to pick them up rather than calling in emergency rescue services?

[CaptainMusky]

im going up there to get their ATVs off the ice. This is at least two now that will be stranded out there. LOL

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Oh hell that close to shore, I would have swam it. Polar Bear Plunge.

[shunker_lure]

Think I should buy a hovercraft and start a ferry business out to the ice sheet. That way no one is getting stuck out on the ice. Just need one large enough to haul off atvs. That way I can fish the last ice when the edges melt and there a couple feet of ice out in the middle.

[snowfighter]

Hmmmm that's why a sheriff truck with a boat/trailer behind was going north from Bemidji through Blackduck today

[hovermn]

I'm thinking some time off from work to set up shop on URL is in order. Hmm, what should I charge? 1? 2? 3 walleye a piece?

Just some bad luck. Hope everyone venturing out makes it back safe! We all take risks while on the ice, and bad things happen to good people.

[Jigging Joe]

Here's what the pioneer said:

2 fishermen find way off Upper Red Lake

Article by: Associated Press

Updated: December 6, 2011 - 4:38

KELLIHER, Minn. - For the second time in less than a week, rescuers have scrambled to help fishermen stranded on Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota.

The latest incident happened Tuesday. Emergency personnel got a call at 1 p.m. that two fishermen were stranded on the ice.

The Pioneer (http://bit.ly/vOzlxz) says the men reportedly were standing 100 feet from shore, with open water between them and the shore. The fishermen then took off on an all-terrain vehicle and were able to find their way off the rice around 2 p.m.

Dispatchers say neither fisherman was carrying a cellphone.

Last Friday, two men were on Upper Red Lake about 100 yards from shore when the ice they were on broke away and began drifting. Firefighters determined the ice was safe to walk on.

[Random guy]

The guys finally came off the ice at the old Kansas city resort. They were fine but looked a little distraught.

[leech~~]

im going up there to get their ATVs off the ice. This is at least two now that will be stranded out there. LOL

I think these guys were out there stealing the 4 wheeler from the last two guys that get stuck out there. I wonder if the Sheriff check the Reg on the ATV to see who it belonged too?

[Stick in Mud]

So how much ice does a guy need on this lake before it's safe???? I mean, it says the first guys were out there on 6''. That wasn't enough. I bet there was more today, and these guys barely got off...

[leech~~]

6" is ok as long as there is not a big open area in the middle of the lake where the wind can move the ice sheet around! Once the whole thing locks up like it should later this week some of that may stop?

[Random guy]

Nice.

[silverbulletguy]

Common sense isn't all that common anymore. If there is doubt.....keep off the ice. Or go to a diferent lake. It's not worth risking not only your life but the lives of the others that have to haul your butt off the ice. Wait a week or so. We live in MN. There WILL be ice soon enough.

[CAMAN]

Looks like it was completely locked up this morning.

[silverbulletguy]

Obviously not good enough...