Coast Guard Station Duluth personnel, BM3 Steve Braun and BM2 Tom Sayman pull acting victim MK3 Andree Moore out of the icy waters while FN Chris Wargo follows behind after placing the "unconscious" victim on the sled. USCG Photo by PA2 Cindy Marshall. Ice Fishing Good Just Off the Saginaw River Channel, Says Capt. Dan
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Capt. Dan Manyen of Walleye Express Charters says ice fishing is good in some areas but warns fishermen about wind and unsafe ice conditions.
Unfortunately, two fishermen died in January on the bay and ice on the Saginaw Bay still remains un-safe in many areas.
AuGres Bill said fishermen should beware of high winds that quickly blow ice floes away from shore, noting that sometimes it's difficult to tell that the ice is moving.
"The Coast Guard has been kept busy all winter with rescues of one type or the other from one end of the bay to the other and on each side of the Bay," said Capt. Dan.
All told, about 50 people trapped on ice floes in the past few weeks made it to safety without the need for rescue, officials reported.
About 30 fishermen were trained in ice rescue techniques a couple of weeks ago at the Bay City State Recreation Area.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Danny Graves did the training and issued the following advice under the acronym I.C.E.:
I equals INTELLIGENCE. Get information such as weather reports and critical phone numbers before venturing on the ice (such as) weather reports.
C equals clothing. Dress in layers of wool clothing that wicks moisture away from the body and provides additional warming.
E stands for equipment such as flares, life jackets, cell phones and other emergency items.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit rescued three ice fishermen in Saginaw Bay Tuesday, Jan. 26 at approximately 7 p.m., when they were unable to return to shore due to a widening crack in the ice.
"We picked up one individual on the first hoist, ferried him to shore, and then went and picked up the other two," said Lt. Brian Ward, co-pilot of the rescue helicopter. "All three appeared to be wearing survival suits."
All three were transported to shore with no apparent injuries.
An HH-65 Dolphin Helicopter was dispatched after a Good Samaritan saw the crack preventing the men from return to shore and called 911, Coast Guard officials in Cleveland said.
The rescue helicopter transported the three men to local responders on shore, and was subsequently dispatched again after receiving a report of five individuals stuck on the ice.
All five were directed to shore by local law enforcement with no reported injuries.
"We got to the mouth of the Saginaw River and saw what appeared to be gear left behind by those individuals," said Ward. "We flew over the river for approximately 10 or 15 minutes making sure there was no one else in distress."
The Ninth Coast Guard District reminds the Great Lakes public to take charge of their safety this ice fishing season as temperatures remain mild throughout the Great Lakes.
Because Great Lakes ice is dangerous and unpredictable, the Coast Guard advises people to remember the following:
I - Intelligence - check the weather and ice conditions, know where you are going and know how to call for help/assistance.
C - Clothing - wear the proper anti-exposure clothes with multiple layers. If possible, wear a dry suit to prevent hypothermia, which can occur within minutes after falling through the ice.
E - Equipment - have the proper equipment such as a marine band radio, life jackets and screw drivers.
Recreational ice fisherman are encouraged to:
Use the buddy system: NEVER go out on the ice alone.
Dress in bright colors; and wear an anti-exposure suit that is waterproof, including a personal flotation device (PFD).
Carry two ice picks or screwdrivers for self-rescue. They are much more effective than using your hands.
Carry a whistle or noise-making device to alert people that you are in distress such as a cell phone or a VHF-FM radio.
Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges and slushy areas, which signify thinner ice.
For further media inquiries, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020.
"That big wind we had in mid January opened up 2 major cracks across the whole Bay and continued winds kept it working back and forth and hiding open water areas," said Capt. Dan. As of last week those areas are re-freezing and hiding those thinner iced over areas as you travel along on the ice.
"You can be on 10 inches of good ice and then 2 inches all of a sudden, where the separation has re-frozen together. The only really safe/consistent ice right now seems to be an triangular area between the Saginaw River Mouth, the island out from the mouth and along the shoreline, all the way to the State Park."
Guys have been doing good in water depths from 5 to 26 feet right in or just off the river channel itself. Bigger fish are also starting to show up and be caught better now in the river itself, from Bay City well into the Saginaw area.
"River ice conditions are getting better daily right now. This is not to say you can just go anywhere. Stay clear of buoys and other current blocks in the river. Seen a guy take a swim 2 days ago when walking right next to a channel buoy, where river current kept the ice from freezing very thick.
"I wasn't calling anybody on my ice charter list for a while because of un-safe bay conditions but I'm calling them now to fish the safer areas. As always be safe, fish smart and tight lines. And please take your time and be aware when ice fishing."
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