Experts share tips for staying safe on the ice

For Wisconsin residents who love winter, the arrival of cold and snow has been an early Christmas gift.

But if you are heading out to one of Wisconsin’s more than 15,000 lakes to ice fish, snowmobile or skate, experts say you should stay prepared and bring a buddy.

Nathan Kroeplin is a lieutenant conservation warden at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He said no ice is 100 percent safe. 

“Ice is very unpredictable, and where you think you might have good, solid ice, the next step you might not,” Kroeplin said. 

Kroeplin said people planning winter ice activities should bring ice picks, rope and a floatation device, among other safety equipment. 

“People like to utilize our natural resources and our beautiful lakes, and they just need to exercise caution when they’re out there and make sure that they’re going to places that are safe,” Kroeplin said. 

Scott Alwin is the director of the Milwaukee Fire Department’s dive rescue team. He said Wisconsinites should follow and stay up-to-date with the DNR’s ice reports before going to lakes. 

“Let people know where you’re going and what you’re going to be doing,” Alwin said. “In the event that something does happen, never try to enter the water yourself.” 

As temperatures continue to drop, more Wisconsin residents are slipping into frozen lakes. 

On Tuesday, a Portage County deputy saved two adults after they and their two dogs fell into a lake.

That same day, Chetek Fire and Rescue reported that a person fell into Pokegoma Lake in Barron County. The person made it out to shore in time to meet the rescue team. 

“We know we can’t keep people from going out if we deem it unsafe,” an online statement from Chetek Fire and Rescue said. “If you really can’t wait a few days, try to stay close to shore, don’t go out alone, and just use your heads.”