Outdoors . . .

DNR urges safety on, around the ice




Frozen bodies of water should be checked carefully before braving the ice. While there is no perfectly reliable method to determine if ice is safe, you can use a spud, needle bar or auger to test the thickness and quality of ice.




Always wear ice picks secured to your chest so they are within easy reach in case you break through the ice.

With cold temperatures becoming more consistent throughout the state, more people are en-joying ice fishing, skating, hockey and other outdoor adventures. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources urges everyone to have fun, but always use caution when venturing onto or near ice.

“Even during consistent cold stretches, pressure cracks in the ice can develop within hours,” said Lt. Skip Hagy, DNR law enforcement supervisor in Newberry. “There is no such thing as ‘safe’ ice. Always check conditions for yourself; don’t rely on what you see others doing or what they tell you.”

River mouths and other places where river or lake currents may be located are often places of unstable ice. Reservoirs with changing water levels also require great caution.

Frozen bodies of water should be checked very carefully before braving the ice. While there is no perfectly reliable method to determine if ice is safe, you can use a spud, needle bar or auger to test the thickness and quality of ice.

“Keep in mind that warm spells as brief as one day may weaken the ice,” Hagy said. “Melting ice during the day only partially refreezes at night, creating a thin layer of unstable ice.”

The DNR suggests wearing a buoyant fishing jacket or snowmobile suit. Additionally, wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket as the outermost layer of clothing, and have a pair of ice picks and a whistle clipped to your chest.

“Nobody plans to fall through the ice, but you should be prepared in case it happens,” Hagy said. “If you fall through the ice, the most important thing is to remain calm and return in the direction you came from. Return to the ice where you broke through, and pull yourself out of the water, rolling onto the ice. Don’t try to stand. Instead, crawl to help distribute your weight until you feel you’re safely away from the weak spot. Seek help immediately to prevent hypo-thermia.”

Additional ice safety tips include:

• If there’s ice on the lake but water around the shoreline, use extra caution.

• If you are visiting a new area, ask locals at bait shops, restaurants or stores about ice conditions, but always check conditions for yourself before going onto the ice.

• If you’re walking on the ice, wear a pair of ice-cleats to help with traction.

• Wear bright colors to increase your visibility. White clothing and gear are difficult to see.

• Use the buddy system and tell someone who is staying on shore where you will be and when you plan to return.

• If you’re operating a snowmobile or off-road vehicle, ride in a staggered line. This makes it easier to maneuver in case a rider ahead of you breaks through the ice.

“Ice picks are inexpensive insurance, a great purchase or gift for anyone who ventures onto ice-covered bodies of water,” Hagy added.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/IceSafety. For snowmobile safety tips, go to Michigan.gov/RideRight.

Traverse City State Park campground to close for improvements


A massive $8.5 million project is getting underway at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park that is expected to provide visitors with improved access, new camping amenities and modern facilities.

The enhancements, a direct result of stakeholder and public feedback through the park’s 2021 general management plan, include:

• A newly-designed entrance to address traffic congestion by reducing campground road backups and improving access to campsites.

• A new, accessible campground contact station, which will allow for better traffic flow and customer service.

• A new park headquarters building that will be relocated south of Mitchell Creek and minimize visitors’ views of the park’s work area and equipment.

• Removal of the non-accessible pedestrian bridge over U.S. 31 and addition of an at-grade pedestrian crossing and traffic signal.

• Expansion and relocation of the park’s sanitation station to reduce wait times and enhance vehicle flow.

The project is being funded as part of a $273 million boost in federal American Rescue Plan relief funding that has enabled the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to tackle a decades-long backlog of infrastructure and rehabilitation projects in state parks and trails.

Project kickoff


The first phase of this enhancement project begins this week with the removal of trees, primarily at the park’s entrance off U.S. 31 and on land south of Mitchell Creek.

While the majority of the campground will retain its existing tree cover, campers may notice the changes in the tree-scape, particularly near the park entrance, parallel to U.S. 31/Munson Avenue and the back of northwest campsites.

The DNR will prioritize saving mature trees during construction and implement a comprehensive landscape and tree replanting program to mitigate losses.

“To protect the park’s remaining trees and reduce the risk of oak wilt disease, tree removal must take place in the winter months, outside of the growing season. The timing is crucial for the long-term health of park trees,” said Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor.

Campground closures


To accommodate the work and ensure public safety, closures will take place in phases.

• The modern campground is closed from now until April 1, including to pedestrian traffic.

• The modern campground will close again July 7 – following the National Cherry Festival – and the closure will be in place throughout the 2026 camping season.

The park’s day-use area located along the Lake Michigan shoreline will remain open during park construction, although occasional closures may be required for intersection work.

Three Mile Road/U.S. 31


The Three Mile Road/U.S. 31 intersection will also be reconstructed in a project led by the Michigan Department of Transportation. This will align the state park day-use (beach) entrance with the intersection, along with other improvements. Construction is slated to begin in early 2026, and some temporary road closures are anticipated.

A joint MDOT-DNR public meeting will be scheduled in early 2025 to provide more information on the U.S. 31 and park access/campground improvements.

For more details on the project, contact Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor, at 231-922-5270 or RosinskiS@Michigan.gov.