Officials with the Minnesota DNR are reminding outdoor enthusiasts about ice safety if your plans involve being on frozen lakes or streams to start the new year.
The DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes, meaning your safety on frozen water is your responsibility.
Ice is seldom the same thickness over a single body of water. Officials say temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the relative safety of ice. Here in Wright County, while we have had some very cold temperatures already this early winter season, we’ve also seen some sustained warm temperatures, and most recently, a new blanket of insulating snow which can hamper ice from continuing to thicken.
The DNR reminds everyone that ice should be at least 4 inches thick for ice fishing other activities on foot, 5 to 7 inches for a snowmobile or small ATV, 7 to 8 inches for a side-by-side ATV, 9 to 10 inches for a small car or SUV, 11 to 12 inches for a medium SUV or small truck, 16 to 17 inches for a heavy-duty pickup, and 20 inches plus for a heavy-duty truck with a wheelhouse ice shelter.
