Ice On Lakes Never Completely Safe

Bitter cold temperatures with below zero wind chills are good for making ice, but no guarantee that ice on frozen waterways is thick enough to be safe. A 20-year-old Fond du Lac man went through the ice on Lake Winnebago near Supple’s Marsh with his ATV last Sunday. Christopher Porter pulled himself from the Lake. His ATV was submerged in 5 feet of water. Sergeant Jeff Bonack is the Dive Team Leader for the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department. He says the ice is never safe. He recommends checking with local fishing clubs or bait shops for news on ice conditions. It is also important to have a buddy with you on the ice and to let family know where you are. Other suggestions include carrying a cell phone and making sure it won’t get wet. A pair of hand held ice picks could help you get out if you go through the ice. Bonack says a length of rope could come in handy and some coats are made with integrated flotation devices. (Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s photo).