Conservation offices say to stay off Lake Michigan shelf ice

The early arrival of winter in northwest Indiana has prompted Indiana conservation officers to be cautious when venturing onto frozen surfaces, and especially to stay clear of sea ice along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Every year there have been cases across the state where a person fell through the ice and lost their life. A 22-year-old man from Indianapolis died on February 21, 2022, after falling through ice floes at West Beach in Indiana Dunes National Park.

Indiana conservation officers urge caution when walking on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers, streams or retention ponds.

The general rule is to believe that all ice is thin ice unless proven otherwise.

Along the shores of Lake Michigan, ice crusts have already started to form earlier than usual.

Doug Lang, superintendent of Indiana Dunes State Park, said sea ice usually doesn’t appear until January, after several consecutive days of subzero temperatures.

Last year there were about 20 days when significant shelf ice formations were present.

Northwest Indiana has already been deluged with snow, so it’s likely there will be more days of significant ice this winter along the shores of Lake Michigan.

In late November, Indiana Dunes State Park posted signs in three different locations warning: “Don’t risk your life. Stay off the ice floe.”

The ice on the plateaus can be beautiful to see.

“It looks like a solid, full hill of ice,” Lang said.

Those who climb the plateau’s ice hills may feel as if they are on a safe surface.

However, there is water flowing underneath and there is a risk that the ice will separate, causing the person to fall, Lang said.

“We try to educate people as best we can, through social media,” Lang said.

Indiana conservation officers offer the following advice, in addition to assuming that no ice is safe:

*Test ice thickness with an ice auger. At least 4 inches is recommended for ice fishing; 5 inches is recommended for snowmobiling.

*Wear a life jacket or flotation jacket.

* Have ice picks and rope equipment on hand.

*Before going on the ice, inform your family or friends of your location.

*Do not test ice thickness when alone.

Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.