Some what of a scary moment

[Quetico]

Last week Loos 15 and I were fishing Normandale Lake in Bloomington. He got out ahead of time and drilled holes all over the lake. The ice wasn't more then 8" maybe 10" thick in any place we found.

Well there were tire tracks coming off the landing heading down the lake. We drilled all along those tire tracks and found 6-8" of ice around the tire tracks.

We headed back in and were about 100 yards off the landing when a Dodge Dakota pulls onto the ice and starts heading right toward us. We started waving and yelling at them that the ice was too thin. So we ran away from their path as they kept coming. 6" of ice is way too thin for a truck with 2 adults. They kept coming toward us and the ice started cracking louder than I've ever heard in all my years on the ice. One crack appeared to have water boiling from it.

They drove toward us and kept heading out. We told them repeatedly that they were only 6-8" of ice. Loos and I made it to shore only to hear a loud crack in the ice. Luckily the guys didnt drop thru but they finally stopped to check the ice. They measured and got off the ice quickly.

We all got lucky that all 4 of us didn't end up in the lake. If you see people running out of your way and your in a truck on the ice, stop think.

Early season like this he ice conditions are constantly changing. Especially on lakes like Normandale that do have current. Check the ice before driving out there.

[Loos15]

Im my humble opinion...if you can hand drill ice on the lake, and it doesn't take too much work...it's too thin for trucks.

[metro fisherman]

All I know is, if im the only truck on the lake its to thin (good system so far...).

[Duffman]

Are they still pumping water out of Anderson lakes? It seems as though the flow over Norman falls is greater than an average winter. Not to mention the waterfowl kept an area ice free for far longer than I've ever seen. Be careful out there, that creek current runs parallel to the western shore staight out from the access. It's been a strange year for ice formation judging from the lakes I've been on.

[pdk511]

wow! I would never just go onto a lake without checking if I dident hear that there was enough ice and see a ton of vehicles out there already. And then to see people running and waving and not stop!!!!WOW that is crazy!

[zamboni]

All I know is, if im the only truck on the lake its to thin (good system so far...).

That is my policy as well, I like to see at least 10-20 vehicles out before I dare to

[magic_minnow]

quet:

was that you guys in the blue clam? i got off work and i swore it looked like 2 guys on n'dale and one guy was running for a tip up. I sat and watched for a moment, but the light turned green, just wondering if you guys landed it?

[fishingforester]

Originally Posted By: metro fisherman

All I know is, if im the only truck on the lake its to thin (good system so far...).

That is my policy as well, I like to see at least 10-20 vehicles out before I dare to

Right On!!!

[SP180]

My rule of thumb regardless if some are driving on the ice is that i will not venture out in a vehicle till after 1 Jan. Then i still must have a good understanding of the ice conditions.

[Deitz Dittrich]

For as scary as it was for you, usually when a vehicle goes through, the hole it makes is only slightly larger than that vehicle.. so you should have been safe, however, would have been put in the situation to help those people who did not check ice conditions.

I commend you for trying to stop them, seems now days people dont get involved and just let people make bad choices.

[mtheis]

"I commend you for trying to stop them, seems now days people dont get involved and just let people make bad choices."

I know what you meant but I don't know how to comment on the above statement! Are we removing responsibility from them? It seems a sign of the times?

[Deitz Dittrich]

I understand what you are saying mtheis... I myself would have done exactly what the above poster did.... But then again, when on the ice and I see people not catching fish, I try and help them as well.

But I do see a lot of our youth, and the attitude that its always, someone else problem. Reminds me of a post a week or so ago. A post about if you had someone fish too close to you and then found that person in the ditch, would you help?

I always pull over to offer help.. but so many now days dont.

[Quetico]

I believe we need to do anything possible to avoid accidents even if its not yourself thats about the have the accident.

[CJH]

I agree safety first. You can always give them a talking to after you pull them out!!