It seems that every winter, a number of people fall through ice they thought was safe, never mind how cold the temperature has been.

That fact alone serves to underscore what might be obvious to some and not so much to others, that despite the recent cold snap, many lakes and streams remain unsafe for fisherman and others to venture out on.

The deaths and rescues happen all over the state, especially if the cold snaps are separated by even slight warming trends. That’s what likely took place recently in the city of Marquette’s Lower Harbor where at least one of the many hundreds of ice skaters recreating there broke through thin ice. Fortunately, that person was able to extricate themselves from the frigid waters.

Many experienced ice fisherman know that as a practical matter, “safe ice” is an oxymoron, or fundamental contradiction in terms. Any ice can give way, no matter the ambient temperature. Ice thickness and related safety is connected to not only temperature but snow depth on the ice and water currents, to name just two influences.

Because of that, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends a minimum of 4 inches for foot traffic, 5 inches for snowmobiles, up to 12 inches for a car or small pickup or as much as 15 inches for a medium truck.

Ice thickness can be gauged with a chisel, auger or drill. So if recreating on the ice is what you like to do, think safety first.