Photo by Clay Schuldt The water on the Minnesota River remains open as January begins.

NEW ULM — As 2024 begins, there is still no ice on area rivers and lakes, making ice fishing impossible in south-central Minnesota.

Widespread rain, wind and unseasonably warm weather during recent days have degraded ice conditions throughout the state, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In recent days, DNR conservation officers and county sheriff’s deputies across the state have responded to instances of fish houses and recreational vehicles falling through the ice.

In central to southern portions of Minnesota, what had been marginal ice conditions are now open water. The ice farther north has deteriorated as well, with ice-angler rescues having occurred from Upper Red Lake at least three times since Dec. 17. While temperatures are forecasted to drop, ice conditions will remain poor until there is a string of cold days to form new, clear ice.

“Many of us love to spend the New Year’s holiday with family and friends on the ice,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division. “But when it comes to ice conditions, the calendar doesn’t matter.”

Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs, whose jurisdiction includes the popular early ice-fishing destination Upper Red Lake, knows that reality all too well.

“Most years, the ice would be thick enough by now for vehicles and wheelhouses, and we’d be seeing a steady procession of them heading north,” he said. “But this year isn’t ‘most years,’ and the ice is changing constantly. It’s absolutely vital that anyone who heads out checks the thickness frequently, pays close attention to the weather, and has a plan in case the worst happens and they wind up in the water.”

The lack of river and lake ice in early January in south central Minnesota is almost unheard of among avoid fishers.

“I remember melts and late starts but never anything like this where the ice is not even forming,” said New Ulm Area Sport Fisherman member and Minnesota River Congress Coordinator Scott Sparlin. “I remember the ice being iffy in late December, but never open.”

Sparlin said so many factors can affect how ice forms, but he believed the region could get sufficient ice if night time temperatures reached the 20s for five or six days in a row.

Sparlin said in a few weeks he plans to go ice fishing at Big Stone Lake. He suspects the ice should be thick enough, but he admits his plans might need to change.

“There is a big difference between northern Minnesota and here,” Sparlin said. He recommended anyone planning to ice fish be well-informed about where they are fishing. Currents under the ice can affect thickness. He added that being near the shoreline is not always a guarantee of safety.

The New Ulm Area Sports Fishermen have held an ice fishing contest on Clear Lake during the second weekend of February for many years. Sparlin believed it was possible the ice would be thick enough by then.

Sparlin said there was one year when NUASF could not hold the contest on the lake due to thaw. That year they held a picnic event in the park next to Clear Lake.

Though ice fishing has been impossible near New Ulm this season, there are still people fishing from shore or in boats.

Sparlin said the open-water fishing on the Minnesota River near New Ulm has been phenomenal. He said there are a number of people fishing at the cut near the Highway 15 bridge.

“I’ve never seen some much open water fishing this late in the year,” he said.

Since the water levels are so low, fishing is locked into certain areas of the river. Once the water does freeze many fish will be contained in those pools.

Another benefit of no ice, is the fish are not oxygen-depleted. Sparlin said every year, ice covers the lakes and cuts off some oxygen making fish less active, and less willing to bite.

The Minnesota DNR has released a set of general ice safety guidelines including:

• Always wear a life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle).

• Carry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and a tape measure.

• Check ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly.

• Bring a cell phone or personal locator beacon.

• Don’t go out alone; let someone know about trip plans and expected return time.

• Before heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts.

• Parents and guardians should talk with their children about staying away from the ice unless there’s adult supervision. This includes lakes and rivers, as well as neighborhood ponds, retention ponds and anywhere ice forms.

The DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes. Temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the relative safety of ice. Ice is seldom the same thickness over a single body of water; it can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. In general, people are advised to stay off ice that is under four inches thick.