Warning: When It’s Safe to Step onto MI’s Frozen Lakes and Ponds

Michigan will find itself in a deep freeze over the next couple of weeks, and while you might be getting that itch to step onto one of the state’s frozen lakes and ponds, hold up. Just because it looks solid doesn’t mean it is.

Look, I get it—people like to ice fish, go ice skating, and, in some wild cases, drive their snowmobiles across frozen lakes. That seems insane to me.

I’m not here to be Debbie Downer, but let’s be real—those activities can go south fast if the ice isn’t thick enough or the conditions aren’t right.

When Is It Safe to Step onto Michigan's Frozen Lakes?

If you're wondering when it's safe to be on the ice in Michigan, I'm here to tell you: never. I don’t say this just because I have a fear of being trapped under ice—I say it because it’s true. It’s never completely safe to be on unpredictable ice; it’s only safer at certain times and under specific conditions.

According to the DNR, here are some things to consider before going on the ice:

Snow on Top: Snow might look harmless, but it acts like a blanket and can stop the ice underneath from getting thicker.
Slush Means Trouble: If you see slush on the ice, that’s a big red flag. It usually means the ice isn’t forming underneath and is probably weak.
Old Ice Isn’t Strong Ice: Ice that’s been sitting around for a while tends to get weaker, especially when warmer air rolls in.
Warm Days Are a No-Go: If it’s above freezing, stay off the ice. The thickness can change fast, and weak spots can pop up anywhere.

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If possible, check the thickness of the ice before walking across it, and by all means, stay off frozen rivers. Hey, movies don’t lie about this—you could easily fall through the ice and get swept away by the current. It’s actually really hard to tell how thick the ice is on a river.

Not everyone gets as freaked out as me when it comes to this topic, so just use common sense if you're going to brave Michigan's frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers.