MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) If ice fishing is on your list of things to do this winter, let someone know where you are going and when you think you’ll be back, also stay near the area you indicated. If something were to happen and you don’t return by your designated time, rescue crews will know where the best place is to begin the search to find you.
If you have an animal with you and it happens to break through the ice, Paul says call 911 immediately to get rescuers on the way but do NOT try to rescue the animal yourself. Rescue professionals say that dogs can last longer in ice water than you can and if the ice is weak enough for a dog to break through, it won’t hold your weight either and both of you in the water won’t do much to help the dog or yourself.