first one already

[Ryan_V]

well, we've had the first ice fisherman fall through the ice. I can't believe anyone would think fishing is a good idea. honestly guys, let's be smart. it's been 50 degrees. I'm just beside myself trying to imagine why anyone would think ice fishing is safe yet. it was in Benton county, the gentleman is from Sartell. someone heard him, called for help, by the time rescue was able to launch, he went under. he was found an hour later and flown out, currently in critical condition. he was a couple hundred yards from shore fishing, ice was 1 1/2 -2 inches thick. There isn't a fish in the lake worth my life. my portable is still in moth balls in the shed. haven't even thought about it yet. sending prayers to him and his family. stay off the ice please until we get ice making weather

[boXCar JiggY]

Thats to bad, Prays go out the the family.

[Mike89]

I just read that story too, no fish is that good.

[skee0025]

anyone got a link to the story?

[dairyman]

Kare 11---------

[LMITOUT]

I'm just beside myself trying to imagine why anyone would think ice fishing is safe yet.

That's an understatement.

Good grief, people. Use your heads.

[JBMasterAngler]

At this point, it's just about a guarantee that there will be an actual ice fishing season in our life time! Nobody will be allowed on the ice until a specific date.

[Ryan_V]

At this point, it's just about a guarantee that there will be an actual ice fishing season in our life time! Nobody will be allowed on the ice until a specific date.

that's why we need to use our heads, not venture onto ice that's an inch and a half thick after a string of 50+ degree days. when people stop using common sense is when the government steps in.

[Brad B]

here a link to the St Cloud Times story.

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20131115/...ittle-Rock-Lake

[ice_medic]

There are still a lot of probabilities when it comes to even setting dates for an official ice season. If it is a warm year like we have had in the past the ice may not be there or be safe there is no guarantee that the ice will be there or safe. If you set dates for an offical season people will assume it will be safe because the state said so. I understand that everyone is excited and can't wait to get out there. I am that way, foaming at the mouth, to get out on the ice but I prefer a good 4 inches of ice personally before I will start to wander out on a lake. I believe there is still a lot of education that needs to be done with the public about ice saftey. Maybe it is just me but after pulling people out of the lakes in summer and winter times I am a little bit more cautious out there. My thoughts and prayers go to him and his family and I hope that he does recover and makes a speedy recovery at that. Just be careful out there and use some common sense. I will get off of my soapbox now and have a great day.