Plow Truck Plunges Through Ice On Northern Minnesota Lake

Man, this has been a bad year for making ice on Minnesota Lakes. Frustrated anglers across the state have been dealing with slushy, sloppy, and sometimes thin ice. Record snowfall in December created major problems when it comes to ice fishing. The feet of snow most of Minnesota received in December act as an insulator for the ice. This has prevented it from being as thick as it normally would be this time of year.

In Northern Minnesota, you normally can be driving on the ice by now. I've seen on social media that many vehicles have been getting stuck on the ice due to slush. And, in some cases, a vehicle will go through the ice. That's what happened in Cass County.

According to the Cass County Sheriff's Office, a 2007 Dodge Ram with a plow was operating on Leech Lake near Horsehoe Bay Resort when it broke through the ice. It was being driven by a 19-year-old Buffalo, Minnesota resident.

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Fortunately, he was able to escape the vehicle without injury. The sheriff's department says that ice conditions in the area varied. Obviously, this section was weak.

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk encourages practicing good safety while on the ice. He reminds people that no ice should ever be considered to be safe and to constantly check ice conditions as they travel. Local bait shops, resorts, and gas stations are good resources for finding out what lake conditions are like. Don't travel on lakes after dark, be familiar with the lake, and watch for warning signs.