Water on ice remains an issue

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, January 3, 2009

With the new year has come a continuation of pressure vents at many lakes in Otter Tail County. Heavy weight of the snow causes the vents, resulting in lots of water on area lakes.

Water comes up through cracks in the ice and also gushes up through holes inside fish houses.

“We see this not only in certain areas on Otter Tail Lake but also on many of the smaller lakes, such as Twin Lakes just west of Amor,” said Gary Peterson of Ken’s Tackle on the west side of Otter Tail Lake. “There continues to be lots of water presenting lots of problems, just like during the final days of 2008.”

Gary Harrington, who lives in rural Battle Lake, said snowmobiles becoming stuck in slush near lakeshores is a common problem.

“I know of at least four snowmobilers who became stuck,” Harrington said on New Year’s Day. “The slush near the shoreline, and water on the lakes, is a real frustration for many of us.”

Brad Ehlers of Fergus Falls, who used 2-by-4s to raise his fish house at Hoot Lake, isn’t the only one to do this. This practice has been repeated many times throughout Otter Tail County the past several days.

At Otter Tail Lake, few problems existed where the ice was 10 inches or more thick, prior to heavy snow falling the past few weekends. Ice from seven to 10 inches thick, however, is another matter.

“I know many fishermen who’ve raised their ice fishing shelters,” said Peterson of Ken’s Tackle.

Water problems, due to pressure vents, continues to be a problem in some areas of East Lost Lake. Fishermen drilling new holes have experienced water gushing upward into the fish houses.

“In light of what’s going on with rising water, due to the pressure vents — and slush near shorelines — area law enforcement officials are urging fishermen, snowmobilers and others to use caution.

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