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Ice fishing safety crucial even as weather chills

While ice conditions may be improving in some areas, police caution that no ice should be considered completely safe.
ice fishing huts
(File photo)

NOLALU — Conditions for ice-fishing and outdoor skating a short drive from Thunder Bay are turning out to be better than expected compared to just a few weeks ago, but provincial police say it's best to check ice thickness before venturing out on waterways.

At Nolalu's Whitefish Lake, resort operator Harold Maki said he's already had some calls from anglers looking to set up ice huts on the relatively shallow lake.

"I was out there three or four days ago and measured 14 inches (of ice)," Maki said on Wednesday. "I was driving my truck out there."

In general, experts recommend ice be at least four inches thick for walking, and at least 12 inches for supporting a light-weight vehicle. Grey-coloured ice is usually unstable and can contain water.

The recent cold snap has likely added a few more inches of ice, said Maki, who has lived in the Nolalu area for much of his life.

Police agreed but still recommended caution.

"The weather has been building up ice on inland lakes," Thunder Bay OPP acting staff Sgt. Mitch Brennen said.

Brennen emphasized that no ice should be considered completely safe and encouraged anglers to "consider the risk to yourself and others" before heading out on frozen waterways.

On Tuesday, provincial police recovered the body of an 82-year-old man who went through ice on Lake Temagami while riding a snowmobile in the Temiskaming area.

Police said a search for the man, who was not identified, began on Monday afternoon after he failed to return to his residence.

Environment Canada said that while temperatures became more winter-like earlier this week, it's not expected to be "polar vortex" type of weather.

The mercury was expected to drop to about five degrees below the seasonal normal of -9 C on Friday and the weekend.

Meanwhile, plans for Nolalu's 33rd annual ice-fishing derby are underway. The March 8-9 event is being organized by the Nolalu Community Centre. More information is available by calling 807-624-7037.


The Chronicle-Journal / Local Journalism Initiative




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