DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Along the Lakeshore, it was a close call for four ice fishermen.
The men needed to be rescued.
The ice they were fishing on, broke loose, and began to float into the waters of Green Bay.
It happened Sunday afternoon in Door County. They were near Circle Ridge Road, in the Town of Gardner.
Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief Tim Dietman spoke to WLUK.
“We did see the individuals that were in need of rescue about 400-450 yards off shore”
The Stugeon Bay Fire Department was one of four agencies on scene. The Door County Sheriff’s Office was also there, and sent up a drone to provide images of the fishermen.
“We were able to see that the crack that was separating them from getting to shore, was about 8-10 feet wide, and extended both north and south for quite a distance,” said Dietman.
Dietman says ice shoves in the area towered seven feet in the air. Rescuers used an inflatable boat to escort the men to safety.
“Our guys tethered off on the good side. We paddle across and we bring them across to solid ice a couple at a time” Dietman says no one was hurt, and the fishermen were able to leave once they reached the shore.
He says wind, current, and winter shipping operations on the Bay contribute to changing conditons on the ice.
“If you start crossing pressure cracks on the way out, that should be a pretty good indication, with a little bit of wind, that we can be getting some movement”
Meanwhile, fishermen were spotted Monday in the general area of the crack.
Dave Poulton says he stays much closer to shore.
“You got to be careful. You have to know what you’re doing, don’t take chances going across those cracks, expecially when it’s windy”
Authorities remind everyone, that no ice is ever considered 100 percent safe.
Officials say always carry a charged cell phone, hopefully with G-P-S capabilities. And if you are in a group that is stranded, stay together so you are easier to find.
