(Spirit Lake) — Darkness, strong winds, and open waters combined to create a potential dangerous situation for two winter anglers on Big Spirit Lake early Tuesday morning.
Spirit Lake Fire Chief Dave Kollasch says the two fisherman became stranded after a burst of wind spun their ice shack across the lake, where it settled on the west end about a quarter mile off shore in Buffalo Run.
The occupants, who have not been identified, were disoriented in the darkness and surrounded by areas of open water. They phoned for help around 4:30am, and were brought safely to shore by the Arnolds Park-Okoboji Rescue Team’s Air Boat, with assistance from the Spirit Lake Fire Department.
Kollasch does issue a warning to those thinking of heading on the ice…
Click here for comments from SLFD Chief Dave Kollasch.
Ice thickness remains relatively thin and varied on Big Spirit, as well as East and West Lakes, and open water has been spotted in numerous areas.
