DNR: ‘Quick and effective actions save ice fisherman on Lake Gogebic’
ONTONAGON COUNTY, Mich. (WJMN) – Michigan Department of Natural Resources says 63-year-old Paul Boehm of Ontonagon is lucky to be alive after falling repeatedly through the weakening ice of Lake Gogebic on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 13.
At about 4:30 p.m. CDT, DNR Conservation Officers Jennifer Hanson and Zach Painter were notified by Negaunee Regional Dispatch that a man had gone through the ice near Merriweather in Bergland Township. According to the press release, local temperatures had reached the low 50s by Wednesday afternoon.
A lakefront homeowner, Sue Barrette, who lives along Old M-28 near the Hoop ‘N Holler Tavern, had called emergency dispatch after hearing Boehm yelling and seeing him crawling on the ice.
“She said she saw him sprawled out on the ice and a few moments later, saw him break through, and observed only his head above water,” Hanson said. “She tried to reach him by paddle board but was unsuccessful due to a layer of ice that had him trapped in deeper water.”
When Hanson arrived, Boehm was well over 100 yards offshore. His wife would later tell police his ice shack was located a mile out onto the ice. Conservation Officer Painter and Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Maxinoski of the Wakefield Post waded through waters near shore and attempted to help Boehm by throwing him a line with an ice rescue bag, but he could not pull himself out of the ice. The two officers reached Boehm.
Firefighters from the Bergland Volunteer Fire Department rowed a rowboat from shore up to the ice. After the firefighters got out, Maxinoski pulled the boat over the ice to where Painter and Boehm were. They then secured Boehm in the boat. Boehm was taken first by Sonco Ambulance and later by Beacon Ambulance to Aspirus Ironwood Hospital in Ironwood.
Boehm was released from the hospital late Wednesday evening and was reportedly resting at home, complaining of minor ailments, including raw and numb fingers and bruised legs.
“Quick and effective action certainly helped save this man’s life,” said Lt. Ryan Aho of the Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division. “This is an example of how things can go wrong quickly and turn into a life-threatening situation.”
Conservation officers remind ice anglers that there is no specific thickness of ice deemed to be safe. Always be prepared and cautious whenever venturing out onto the ice, especially early or late in the winter or during spells of warm weather.
You can find DNR ice safety tips here.
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