Ice Fishing Alert: Unstable Conditions Pose Risks in Central Minnesota, Caution Urged During Kid Fishing Weekend

(KNSI) – A cold snap enveloping central Minnesota has covered local lakes in ice, but time is still needed to ensure it’s safe.

Professional fishing guide Josh Hagemeister has been scouting lakes within 90 minutes of St. Cloud and was marking open water on many just two days ago. Those spots will only be able to add a couple of inches of ice before the snow flies, greatly slowing production and creating uneven ice. “Your average guy is going to get out there, drill a couple of holes by the landing and say, ‘Hey, look, it’s seven inches deep. Let’s get on the four-wheeler and buzz out to the island.’ And halfway out, they come across this spot and they’re going to go for a swim. And that’s what’s been happening up north.”

Hagemeister explained to KNSI’s Bob Hughes that you must fish where conditions allow and be extra cautious. “This situation is almost more dangerous than actually what it was a week and a half ago when you could see what was going on. You just got to be really, really, really diligent, and real careful. I’m not getting overly excited about zooming all over the lakes until next weekend. Right now, the ice is controlling your fishing location. You are not.”

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends at least four inches of ice for walking, seven inches for a snowmobile, a foot of ice for a small car, 17 inches for a truck, and 20 or more inches for a large fish house.

The warning is especially important because it takes a kid fishing weekend in Minnesota. From January 13th through the 15th, any Minnesota resident can go fishing for free if accompanied by a child 15 years old or younger. Children don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year.

For more ice fishing information, click here.

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