DNR closes Bass Lake landing because of dangerous ice

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DNR closes Bass Lake landing because of dangerous ice
News Release Published: February 18, 2011 by the West Central Region

Contact(s): David Hausman, DNR warden supervisor, 715-684-2914, ext. 122; Ed Culhane, DNR communications, 715-839-3715

The boat landing for Bass Lake in St. Croix County has been temporarily closed to vehicles because of deteriorating ice, the state Department of Natural Resources reports.

The landing is located at the north end of the lake off Townline Road in the Town of Somerset. Unseasonably warm weather has caused an early melting of ice close to the access. Several vehicles have broken through the ice right at the ramp, DNR conservation wardens said.

Currently there is no safe way to drive a vehicle on or off the ice from this public access. Soft mud and sediment around the site make it impossible for drivers to steer around the weakened ice at the lake’s only landing. An ice fishing contest scheduled for Feb. 26 might have to be cancelled, wardens said.

People can still walk on to the ice at their own risk. There are four ice fishing shelters on the lake. Persons attempting to remove their ice shelters should work to find alternate shoreline sites on the lake where this might be possible.

“We want to protect people from getting stuck or getting injured, and we want to prevent damage to the landing,” said warden supervisor David Hausman. “We are closing the site and posting signs which are effective immediately.”

DNR authority to close the state-managed landing can be found in statute s. NR 45.04 (1) (b) Wisconsin Administrative Code.

For further information please contact fisheries biologist Marty Engel, 715-684-2914, extension 110; warden David Hausman, 715-684-2914, ext. 122; or warden Paul Sickman, 715-684-2914, ext. 120.