The warmer temperatures and changing weather conditions lately led to Tuesday's first ice angler rescue in Door County this year.  Egg Harbor Fire Chief Justin MacDonald says a man from outside the area was fishing offshore near Cedar Creek Road in the bay of Green Bay around 8 a.m. when the ice separated, leaving a 75 to 100-foot gap of open water.  MacDonald says the man was not in distress and did the right thing in calling 911 immediately.  He says the rescue took about an hour to perform with an airboat provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, and a drone from the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department was utilized.  Although the man said there was a foot of ice on the bay where he was fishing, MacDonald says conditions can change quickly and that there is no such thing as “safe” ice.

MacDonald says although the extremely cold weather conditions last week made plenty of ice, recent shipping traffic that entered Sturgeon Bay and southwest strong winds affected the shoreline from Oconto County to Door County.    

Ice Safety Basics from the Wisconsin DNR:

Here are a few basic ice safety tips to remember:

• Carry a cell phone, and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home.
• Wear proper clothing and equipment, including a life jacket or a float coat, to help you stay afloat and to help maintain body heat.
• Wear ice creepers attached to boots to prevent slipping on clear ice.
• Carry a spud bar to check the ice while walking to new areas.
• Carry a few spikes and a length of light rope in an easily accessible pocket to help pull yourself – or others – out of the ice.
• If you fall in, remain as calm as possible. While attempting to get out of the water, call for help. Anyone who attempts to rescue you should use a rope or something similar to avoid falling through themselves.
• Do not travel in unfamiliar areas or at night.

Have a plan in place noting where you will be and when you plan to return. Along with leaving a written note of your plans, keeping a charged cell phone is also recommended.