Caution Advised For Anyone Ready To Go On Frozen Lakes

After an extremely mild fall the bitter blast that we have felt the past few days has formed a layer of ice on many area lakes.

It’s hard to believe that just over a week ago Lake Bemidji was wide open and ice free, fast forward to today and all you can see is snow and ice as far as the eye can see.  Already the itch to get out on the lakes has begun for some ice fisherman. At Taber’s Bait shop in Bemidji, people have already been coming in for bait and gear.

Taber’s Bait Shop says that a number of area lakes have already froze over, however it’s best to use caution when getting ready to venture out on any frozen lake.

Lake Bemidji officially froze over last Saturday, currently the ice on the lake ranges 2-4 inches deep, however due to the high winds thin layers of ice are scattered around the lake, leaving portions of lake Bemidji unsafe.

If the cold snap continues through the weekend, which is expected to happen, the ice should be fully safe to walk on by mid-week next week.