Lac Vieux Desert 12/19

[Winddrift Dave]

Fate has been Tempted!! This the result of not being safe and checking before you go. 2 guys were riding on the ATV when it went thru. It is presently on the bottom in approx. 9 fow- 1st photo. They were lucky as the neighbor was out and helped them struggle out of the water and got them up to a warm location. They rode back over the track they rode out on, and went thru a slush area that was exposed and at best is 2-3" - 2nd photo. Bottom line is why they had 2 guys riding on the ATV- must be atleast 600-800 lbs. total with machine and guys. Also, the neighbor said when they went thru, their buddy, who was walking ahead just stood there watching and not even make an effort to try to help!! This is a prime example of not knowing the conditions when you venture onto early ice. A simple spud bar would have told the story - one pound and you're thru!!! Definitely not enough for a machine with 1 rider much less 2!! Also a local tried driving his truck off the Racine Beach(west shore) launch and made it about 10 ft. before breaking thru?????.
Forgot to mention yesterday - Last Sat. 4 different wolves were seen traversing the ice midday.

[Winddrift Dave]

After 10 hours of working in 20* temps, 2 divers and the 3 fishermen finally got the ATV out. The diver couldn't find the auger that was bungeed to the ATV, as he was up to his chest in muck on the bottom trying to get the ATV righted before it was moved. There is definitely still only 2-3" of solid base ice, atleast here on the north shore. When asked about their experience, the fishermen stated that they had called a local and were told that there was 6-8" of ice and when they drilled their holes they measured that amount.
The lesson to be learned : When measuring the early ice, always look for the solid(clear) ice from the bottom up, but don't include the refozen slush to the top as this is never safe!! Still am able to pound the spud thru in 1 or 2 pokes in most of the "virgin"(non traveled) areas.

[Muskie Matt]

Very well put Dave, just posted the same info myself... that frozen or partially frozen slush doesn't even come into play when I'm on the ice spudding and figuring for my own safety. The frozen slush just isn't as strong as the clear ice, you may be able to walk it but I'd be very leery of machines at the moment.

Don't let a snow machine buzzing across a lake fool you, that's different dynamics... it's moving, fast, and different rules of physics apply...

We're ice fishermen and as such we're poking around slower, stopping, searching, etc.

Bottomline? Be freakin' safe out there! Think!

[Winddrift Dave]

The photo shows the slush areas that appeared yesterday and today after 7" snow on top of the 3" solid base ice and existing slush. This is what will remain until we get some real cold to penetrate and firm it up. As Matt stated, a sled doesn't create the pressures that an ATV does. For anyone who watched Ice Road Truckers, the action of the ATV running along creates a wave, which with the current thinner ice , can serve to break the weaker areas. Atleast here on the north shore, walking and using your spud bar is the only advised mode for now. BE SAFE!!