In a dramatic turn of events, a total of 122 anglers were successfully rescued from an ice floe that detached from the main ice on Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota. The incident occurred on Friday evening when the ice floe broke loose, leaving the stranded fishermen unable to make their way back to dry land. Thankfully, no injuries were reported during the ordeal.

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office received the first distress call just before 5 p.m. CT and immediately mobilized emergency responders to the scene. However, even before their arrival, some brave bystanders attempted to aid the stranded individuals by using a canoe. Unfortunately, their rescue mission took a dangerous turn when four people fell into the frigid water. Fortunately, they were swiftly rescued by the sheriff's office.

The first four fishermen were successfully rescued at approximately 6:40 p.m. CT, and the heroic efforts of the responders continued until all 122 anglers were safely back on the mainland by 7:37 p.m. The sheriff's office expressed their admiration for the efficiency of their first responders, stating that the evacuation of such a large number of people in a rural area in less than three hours was truly impressive.

However, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of ice conditions across the state. In a Facebook post issued the day before the rescue, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warned about the rapidly changing and uneven ice conditions. They emphasized the importance of waiting until there is at least 4 inches of new, clear ice before venturing out onto frozen lakes. Additionally, they urged individuals to carry proper safety equipment and regularly assess the thickness of the ice.

Unfortunately, this was not the first ice-related incident on Upper Red Lake in recent days. Just the day before, the sheriff's office had been called to rescue two fishermen who had fallen through the ice while riding an ATV. Although they managed to escape the water, they were left stranded and unable to return to their resort. Fortunately, they were eventually rescued and remained unharmed.

The deteriorating ice conditions in the region have also led to numerous ice houses falling through the ice. Recovery teams have been unable to remove them due to the weakened ice, but they are hopeful that the upcoming colder weather will allow for safe retrieval. The sheriff's office stressed the importance of checking ice thickness frequently and consulting with area resorts before venturing onto the ice.

Minnesota has experienced an unusually warm December, with temperatures consistently above normal. The state's Department of Natural Resources reported that temperatures have been running 10-15 degrees above seasonal averages, making it difficult for ice to form and support ice fishing activities. Upper Red Lake, in particular, has been a hotspot for ice rescues in recent years. CNN affiliate WCCO reported incidents such as a light plane breaking through the ice in December 2022, leaving up to 50 people stranded, and a sheet of ice breaking loose in November 2022, resulting in the rescue of up to 200 individuals.

As crews continue to work tirelessly to rescue the remaining 75-100 people stranded on the broken sheet of ice, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office assured the public that there were no reports of anyone in the water. They acknowledged the challenge posed by the vast expanse of open water between the ice floe and the shore but expressed their commitment to devising a safe operation to bring everyone back to safety.

Beltrami County, located in northwestern Minnesota, has once again found itself at the center of an ice-related emergency. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and vigilance when venturing onto frozen lakes, especially during periods of fluctuating temperatures and unstable ice conditions.