Pressure Ridges Appearing In Local Lakes

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 Pressure ridges are popping up on lakes around the region and North Dakota Game and Fish and Minnesota DNR are warning people to avoid them.

Ice fishing is a common hobby for many in the valley and beyond.
Francis Lewis is an avid angler and has been doing it all of his life.
This is his first year ice–fishing on Big Cormorant Lake and he realizes the hazards of pressure ridges.

“They’re actually very dangerous,” said Lewis of Glyndon, Minnesota.

Pressure ridges form when air temperatures warm the ice, and water rises in the cracks and freezes.
This then creates a thrusting force.
Big Cormorant Lake has several ridges throughout the area.
If you come across a pressure ridge, officials advise you to go around.

“It’s just better either try to find a different access point or you know just forgo trying to get to your favorite fishing spot altogether instead of risking your life to possibly get to where you want to be,” said Nathan Olson with the Minnesota DNR.

Lewis has seen several people drive across the ridges but he knows he shouldn’t.

“I’ve seen four–wheelers and snowmobiles try to go across but you know there’s no way, that’s open water,” said Lewis.

Driving on ridges could be very dangerous and authorities say it may put you at an increased risk to go under the ice or get stuck.

Ice ridges aren’t the only things anglers should be watching out for.
The DNR says people should watch out for “thin ice” signs, especially at night.

Some people have aeration systems near the shore to avoid erosion and they decrease ice in the winter.

Lewis was one of the first to set up his fish house on the lake.
Earlier in the season, many waited for other ridges to go down.

“Earlier this year nobody can get on that side of the lake, we had to wait until you know, until the ice ridge went down,” said Lewis.

The ridges won’t stop him from taking part in one of his favorite hobbies.

Authorities say it’s more common for bigger lakes to experience pressure ridges.