Warm weather and thin ice mean lack of business and outdoor activities in winter

At this time of year, the lakes surrounding the Bemidji area typically have fish houses, cars parked on the ice, and people skiing and skating. Instead, the lake remains partially unfrozen.

As winter approaches, outdoor enthusiasts begin to reduce or postpone seasonal activities. Due to the lack of snow and thin ice, accidents have occurred and caused much disappointment within the Bemidji community.

“I wanted to take you ice fishing today, but it looks like there’s a lot of ice here.”But let me tell you, this winter, when there hasn’t been any before, we… It’s late December, and there’s still water on Lake Bemidji. It’s a little foggy right now, but if you look a little past that dark ice, you can see.” Dick said Dick Beardsley, owner of Beardsley Fishing Guides.

Because of the thin ice on the lake, businesses that make money from winter activities, such as Dick Beardsley’s Fishing Guides, will have to cancel all activities for next season.

“I do fish house rentals here on Lake Bemidji during the winter, so it has a big impact on my business. And I booked all the houses this week, and I booked next week as well, so I want to share with everyone I had to call and say I’m sorry. And there’s still no safe ice. I can’t even get out of there. It affected me a lot,” Beardsley said.

There were also numerous reports of ice breaking and some fishermen being taken away. Beardsley offered some advice on what not to do when considering ice fishing.

“It’s probably 5 inches to 7, 8 inches, but it varies. You just don’t know. So if you’re going on an adventure, oh my gosh, know exactly where you’re going and there are deaths on the ice. We need to make sure we’re not there. And personally, I’d say stay away from any of the lakes until it gets really cold, which I hope happens sooner rather than later,” Beardsley said.

Due to poor ice conditions and warm weather this month, local county sheriffs and the Minnesota DNR are warning the public to monitor conditions and avoid going to area lakes until sufficient ice has formed. ing.