Emergency rescue highlights the dangers of late-season Saginaw Bay ice fishing. Responders saved two ice fishermen from dangerous conditions, prompting a stern warning from local authorities.

Ice Fishermen Rescued from Dangerous Saginaw Bay Ice

Two ice fishermen were rescued Thursday afternoon from Saginaw Bay after breaking through dangerously thin ice near Sebewaing Township. A distress call was received by Huron Central Dispatch shortly after noon from a fellow angler who remained within shouting distance of the stranded men but could not reach them safely.

Emergency responders, including Sebewaing Fire and Police Departments, determined the ice conditions were too hazardous for a standard rescue attempt. Instead, a Caseville Fire Department airboat was deployed, reaching the victims within 50 minutes of the initial call. Both men, suffering from hypothermia, were transported to shore and handed over to awaiting ambulance personnel from Sebewaing and Unionville for treatment.

The fisherman who reported the incident also fell through the ice but managed to escape on his own in shallower water.

Sheriff Issues Urgent Warning on Ice Conditions

Following the rescue, Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson conducted an aerial survey of Saginaw Bay and Tuscola County’s ice conditions. His observations were stark: the ice was riddled with cracks, open water, and shifting sections, making it extremely unsafe.

“The ice is in very poor condition, with much of it moving due to stronger southwest winds. I strongly urge all ice fishermen to end their season immediately and stay off the ice,” Sheriff Hanson stated.

Despite these warnings, the sheriff observed four individuals still fishing on the ice during his survey, some in close proximity to open water. One angler was seen nearly half a mile offshore, following a dangerous path through cracks in the ice.

Hypothermia and the Misconception of “Shallow Water Safety”

Sheriff Hanson emphasized a common misconception among ice fishermen—that falling into chest-deep water is not life-threatening. The rescued fishermen, he noted, were nearing critical levels of hypothermia when they were pulled from the water. “Another 20 minutes, and they could have lost consciousness, leading to a much worse outcome—death,” he said.

According to Dr. James Sullivan, an emergency medicine specialist at the University of Michigan Health System, hypothermia sets in quickly when a person is submerged in cold water. “At water temperatures near freezing, even strong individuals can become incapacitated within minutes. Motor function diminishes, and without immediate rescue, survival chances drop dramatically.”

Ice Fishing Season Over, Sheriff Says

Sheriff Hanson urged all fishermen to transition to boat fishing and avoid venturing onto the ice. “Today’s victims would likely agree that a few fish are not worth risking their lives. We hope this is the last rescue of the season.”

Local officials will continue monitoring conditions, but with spring temperatures rising, the consensus is clear: the ice fishing season is over.

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