Watch Video of Walking On Crystal Clear Ice On Lake Superior

A video has gone viral this week and for good reason. It's not often you see crystal clear ice formed over a body of water, but that's what happened recently on Lake Superior.

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According to a report by FOX 9, the clear ice was discovered on February 1, 2023, over Lake Superior's Munising Bay in Michigan. Chelsey Tweedale was there to capture the moment and take a stroll on the ice, which she estimated was five to six inches thick at the time.

While portions of Lake Superior freeze over, it's rare for the entire lake to freeze over. According to LakeSuperiorStreams.org, Lake Superior freezes at least in part every year and less frequently in its entirety. The last year that it froze completely was in February 1994. It almost froze completely in March 2003.

MLive YouTube/ Chelsey Tweedale

FOX 9 added that the clear ice phenomenon captured in the video below has happened before in Michigan. In 2017, Andre Poineau was in Boyne City with temperatures right at zero and zero wind, making it a perfect time to see to the bottom of Lake Michigan. He said he's only seen it happen a few times in his 50+ years.

It is pretty cool to see and I think it would be even better to walk on ice, even if it would be a little unnerving.

Great Lakes that have completely frozen include Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake to have never frozen entirely.

As a reminder, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to use caution and assume no ice is 100% at any time.

The following ice thickness guidelines are also important to know. Keep in mind that this is for new, clear ice only.

UNDER 4" Stay off
4" Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5" - 7" Snowmobile or small ATV
7” – 8” Side-by-side ATV
9” – 10” Small car or SUV
11” -12” Medium SUV or small truck
13” Medium truck
16” -17” Heavy-duty truck
20”+ Heavy-duty truck with wheelhouse shelter

The DNR's recommendations are based on average equipment weight and assume solid, clear ice. They add that you are responsible for knowing the weight of your vehicle, equipment, and body.

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Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.