PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — With ice fishing season in full swing and sturgeon spearing kicking off this weekend, the Wisconsin DNR is issuing some ice safety reminders.
DNR wardens are reporting a number of incidents of recreational vehicles going through the ice in various locations throughout the state.
So far this year, there have been six fatal UTV incidents; four out of those six incidents involved UTVs going through the ice.
Ryan Propson with the DNR says speed has been a big issue this year.
With the lack of snow, he feels drivers are getting too comfortable on the ice and are driving too fast and into unsafe areas.
“This isn’t the year to drive around the lake and check out new areas,” he said.
Propson says before you go on the ice with a vehicle or UTV, check with local fishing clubs.
“Take the time to go on Facebook and look at about ten different fishing clubs that are around the lakes here. They have been putting up drones, they have photos posted, they have GPS coordinates of these areas of open water, they have GPS coordinates of where these cracks are with maps, they are going to be your best resource to look for those areas to avoid,” he said.
And before you head out on the lake, Propson says have a plan ready to go if your vehicle were to go through the ice:
- Make sure you are driving slow, about 10 mph or less
- Roll the windows down
- Take your seatbelt off
- Have tools like ice picks or a window punch with you in arms reach in case you need to use them
And with sturgeon spearing starting Saturday, Propson reminds spearers to make sure they have their paper tags in their possession on the ice.
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