Ice conditions off crane creek toledo area

[Goose]

If your familiar with metzger marsh area the lake has opened up. The coastguard had to lift people off the ice today. The crack was 3ft wide and expanding. This west southwest wind really opened up the lake. Before heading out on the ice in this area make sure you know the wind direction. All please be advised

[Grizz]

How far off shore did it happen? Is the ice still safe off of Catawba? I am planning on going up on Sunday or should I cancel.

[bob oh]

Coast Guard is reporting about 7 pm that they were able to get about 20 fishermen to leave the ice before it broke away and then had to rescue 19 other fishermen. No mention of ice in the islands area.
Bob

[Goose]

I live right next to metzger marsh and I was down there when the ice broke and when they lifted them off. The coast Guard said the crack ran from Toledo to camp perry. Have not heard about catawba. As soon as I find out I will let you know

[RickThe]

The crack run's from Anchor point to niagra reef.Then out above NorthBass.Call your guide on the ice condition's

[WalleyeWiz]

The ice around Catawba is still in good shape.I had a freind fish there today with good results with Pimples.He said there was no open water anywhere you could see.There were around 150 people out there.I am planning on fishing Sun. morning and will post a report. The area that opened up today has been opening up all winter with a SW wind.There has been some good catches there when the wind is right.Some people here of great fishing and forget all about the weather conditions.Just because it was safe yesterday does`ent mean it will be safe tommorrow.Make sure you use your head when you are fishing the lake.
Good Fishing and be SAFE
WalleyeWiz

[Bud Riser]

Goose,
A couple buddies of mine had to jump 4 feet of open water on their snowmobile, breaking my power auger and dumping a couple hundred dollars worth of lure in the crack.
Wonder if it's worth it?
North wind is the only way to go with ships breaking up our ice north of the fishing areas.
See you on the ice. Bud

[Eeerie Trapper]

The Coast Guard had to rescue Two more off the ice last night. They were about four miles north of Davis-Besse and they didn't get hauled in until after dark. Sounds mighty SCARY to me! If you must go out-- Please wait until the wind is coming out of the north or at least until it has diminished to calm. South--Southwest winds are NOT good winds for ice on EEERIE. Good fishin' and good luck.

[Goose]

I was planning on fishing yesterday but on wednesday night when we were out the ice was making alot of noise. When I heard that there was going to be a west wind we stayed away from the lake. My buddy went out about noon to check the ice shanty and he said that there was a nice crack inside our ice shanty. So no one in our party fished yesterday. You just have to be safe and watch the wind.

[FreeByrd]

Article from the Toledo Blade. If the link doesn't work just go to www.toledoblade.com - it is the lead article...

BE SAFE!

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=TO&Dato=20010126&Kategori=NEWS17&Lopenr=10126006&Ref=AR

[Eeerie Trapper]

Thanks for the article Free Byrd-- Sounds like the Coast Guard has a lot to do with the fate of our ice fishing adventures. Rather ironic that their Leutenant would quote the price for the use of their helicopter but never said a word about the expenses incurred by their "ice breakers" that are causing the problem in the first place!!! Nice going U.S.government!! By the way--- Why doesn't the Coast Guard have an Air-boat for ice rescue??? Seems to work pretty good-Heh??

[bob oh]

When they start talking about what it costs to rescue ice fishermen they need to talk about what it costs to resuce mountin climbers; hot air balloonists who try to set world records; hikers who get lost. You will quickly find out that the cost per person was pretty low on Erie compared to pulling a small party of climbers off a remote mountain somewhere. Coast Guard does a good job of rescue in this type of situation but they could do a lot more good with more emphasis on education. When you ask them about ice conditions they usually say it is never safe on Erie. That doesn't do it, people are going to ice fish. They should be more involved in determining when the ice is safe or really is unsafe and they should do more to educate ice fisherman about safety - especially winds on lake Erie.
Just a little venting ;-)
Bob

[ErieAngler]

Good point Bob but here's the problem. The Coast Guard runs ice breakers in and out of the shipping channel to ensure safe passage for the freighter traffic. It's no wonder their official policy is "no safe ice ever". The opened channel gives the ice someplace to move to when the wind blows. That said you have to understand that the almighty $ is what is driving these shipping lines to continue traffic thru the winter months. What does it cost to operate a Coast Guard crew and vessel to break ice for a lake freighter to come from the Detroit River all the way into Toledo harbor? Do the shippers pay for that or do the stranded ice fishing taxpayers foot the bill?

[Ice smart]

I am sure the Coast Guard is giving out fines just to deter people from going out on the ice just to catch fish. Now do not get me wrong I spend alot of time on the ice here in Wisconsin, but you can bet your bottom dollor when I go out on Sturgeon Bay or Green Bay the ice is safe and the wind direction in the right direction. Just remember when you get air lifted off that ice remember how much those tasty walleye filletes are costing you now. I am sure if they do not fine people the next day they will air lifting a 100 people off the ice and then the next day they will lifting 200 people!! Where does it end? Yes I am a tax payer and I do ice fish also, about 2 to 3 days average per week. But it sounds like some people on Erie need to open up and use there brain that was given to them at birth and use it!!! The Coast Guard ice breakers open up Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay waters every winter! Do we like it? No we do not! but they have been doing it a long time and we come to expect it! Personally i think $600 is far to cheap if they would raise the price you can bet your last jig stick there will be less people out there! Common sense is cheap! No I take that back it is free!!! They need to start using that thing that rests between there shoulders! Do not be so quick blame the Coast Guard! Last year I was driven to the Emergency room by rescue squad, I was charged $585 for that ride! if it was freen that rescue squad would always be running for people who do not need it!!! If some 8 year old kids walked out on Erie and fell through and they drowned while a fisherman was being air lifted, and I was the fisherman, that would not sit very well with me!!! That is what our tax money and our Coast Guard is expected to do!!! Saving lives that is the result of an accident not going fishing!!! Sorry if this sits bad, no bad feelings intended.

[WalleyeWiz]

Ice Smart,
The Coast Guard does not issue fines because our tax money pays for them to be there.The 600.00 you saw was for the recovery of the machines that they had to leave out there.I have been fishing Lake Erie for over 20 years and I myself have been caught out there when the ice shifts.The day all that happened the weather called for Northwest winds.The wind shifted unexpectedly to the Southwest.I like to think that I have common sense but at times ##### HAPPENS.As far as picking up more people the next day that didn`t happen.People that fish Erie are smarter than you think.I only hope that you never run in to a problem like that.I had 2 friends that were out there when that happend . They were on their way into shore with their Quads when the Coast Guard made them get in the Hilo.They said they could have gotten in with no problems by heading west but they were forced to get in.They went out the next morning and walked right to there Quads and rode them in with no problems.
WalleyeWiz

[Rick]

The coast guard didn't charge any one for getting them off the ice . The charge was for getting the ATV'S off so the owners didn't get a fine for polution if they went into the water.If i had an ATV out thier i would have paid them to get it off for me .Thank you for keeping the lake clean.

[brian]

you must be a cop

[chesapeake]

I see the ice off metzgers on sunday afternoon has moved. Almost all flow out front for half a mile

[Al]

They could also talk about the way they treat the inflateable boats at Marblehead and down toward Avon. I've been out in 4-5 footers in a 22 CC just lugging along taking my lumps and had these clowns go blowing by me "patrolling". Most have one V6 outboard and I know they were running more than 40 knots. I wonder if they realize who pays the upkeep on those "toys of theirs"?

I think they forget who they work for and who is already the payor.

[Be Thankful]

It's assame hearing so many of you bashing the Coast Guard. The same guys who are bashing the Coast Guard would be calling them and begging them for help if their boat was going down. When you are in an emergency situation and need help, then I would like to hear you bashing the Coast Guard. These men and women put their lives at risk in many types of weather and in many situations to help people. So if they run around fast in their boat or are practicing emergency manuvers or if they are simply just running fast from one place to another because they want to, so be it. Give them a break.......

[bob oh]

Rick,

I never said they charged anyone. Someone earlier said they should charge them and I was just pointing out that people are not charged for rescue. I don't think they should charge for rescue unless someone does something against the law and then has to be rescued.he people who were rescued were victims of chance. The wind shifted - it was suppose to be NW and shifted to SW adn they got stuck. SW wind will usually do it so you have to be aware. I was not bashing anyone just saying if you charge one you have to charge all. I would never bash the Coast Guard they have to do a tough job and they are undermanned, but I think how they do their job is just as open to question as any other job.
Bob

[Goose]

The coast guard never charged anybody in that rescue. In the paper the coast guard said it would cost the public about 13,000 dollars for the rescue. The coast guard really dosent care on how much it coast because we the tax payers pays for for them. It going to cost the tax payers 13,000. I was down at the marsh when the ice broke away, we never went out, but I'm sure gald the coast guard was on the ball to rescue those guys. There was a guy on an airboat charging people to retrieve their equipment. It was not the coast guard. I know b/c I know the guy who was doing it.

[RLF]

Goose,

Mot to be contradictory but the Coast Guard is extemely concerned about how much the rescues cost. Their function is safety first but they are provided a budget by the federal government and just ike any other city, county, state, or federal agency must live within that budget for all functions. I am not saying if they run over their budget they will not rescue or performance a service but the coast Guard must monitor the $$ spend. As others indicated there money comes mostly from our tax dollars, so when people's taxes rise please remember where some of that money goes to.

It would be wise for all fisherman (ice or open-wter) to heed to the conditions and be cautious to changing weather conditions. I like anybody else love o go fishing but the forecasts last week were calling for different wind directions each day and knowing the history of winds on erie everyone needs to be extra cautious on ice.

Good luck to all who venture but play it safe.

[Goose]

Like I said in my post, we are going to have to pay for this rescue. Taxes are going up all the time. Like where I live Cutrice properity tax are going through the roof. There are some of my friends like mine are going up 200 dollars a year.

[Taxman]

Goose,

Your real estate taxes do not go towards funding any of the branches of the U.S. military like the US Coast Guard. The only time you will pay into federal coffers as a landowner is when you sell it for a profit via capital gains taxes or when you die and you heirsare liable for the inheritance taxes. If the rescue was carried out by the local fire dept. then you are correct about landowners paying for it.
The problem is simple in my mind. Lake Erie is a wonderful fishing opportunity in open water or on the ice and people are going to want to take advantage of it. Shipping is apparently a cost effective way of transporting commerce from one side of the lake to the other. The Coast Guard is apparently obligated to use federal tax dollars to run the Mackinaw (300 ft. ice breaker) up and down the shipping lanes all winter to keep the freighters moving. There's the conflict. The ice breaker keeps the condition of the ice iffy at best, and guys and gals still want to fish.

My question is whether the ships are insured while they run all winter? I remember reading about the Edmund Fitzgerald not being insured because it was after Nov. 15th when she broke up and went down. As a kid I remember fishing all winter right off Reno Beach without the shipping channel getting rearranged by freight traffic. They used to shut it down after mid Nov.

Are the insurance companies carrying the ships thru the winter now? If not, who is liable for any cleanup if there is some sort of accident or spill out there? In Ohio we are by law forced to have insurance on our vehicles to operate them on a public road. I wonder if there is a simular policy on U.S. waters of any of the great lakes? Raises lots of questions if the answer is no.

[Goose]

I wasnt saying our property tax was paying for the coast guard, I was just saying taxes in general were increasing and using that as an example.

[Al]

"So if they run around fast in their boat or are practicing emergency manuvers or if they are simply just running fast from one place to another because they want to, so be it. Give them a break......."


So doughnuts in open water and yelling "yahooooo" is basic training for Coasties? Jumping waves and laughing. Just running around aimlessly? Training eh? Call it what you want....In the hood they call it car jacking....in our parts they call it joy riding. That's what it is. Make no mistake.

[gofish]

Not to bash the Coast Guard, because I think they do a terrific job with limited funds, but how could it possibly have cost 13,000 dollars for that rescue. The staff gets paid whether they go out or not, the helicopter is sitting there paid for by what meager funds they do get whether they use it or not, and the overhead is always there no matter what. I don't get it. Did they use 13,000 dollars worth of fuel? If so, they need another supplier.

At any rate, hats off to them. They truely do risk their lives on a regular basis for what amounts to almost slave wages. If they rip around and have some fun on occasion, so what? If I'm sinking, I would like to know their throttle man has at least been on plane a few times and knows how to get to me in a hurry if necessary.