The early arrival of winter in Northwest Indiana has triggered a warning from Indiana Conservation officers to be careful when venturing onto frozen surfaces, and especially stay off the shelf ice along the Lake Michigan shore.

Every year, there have been cases throughout the state where a person falls through the ice and loses their life. A 22-year-old man from Indianapolis died on Feb. 21, 2022, after he fell through shelf ice at West Beach in the Indiana Dunes National Park.

Indiana Conservation officers urge caution when walking on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers, streams or retention ponds.

The rule of thumb is to believe that all ice is thin ice, unless proven otherwise.

Along the Lake Michigan shoreline, ice crusts have already begun to form earlier than usual.

Doug Lang, manager of the Indiana Dunes State Park, said that shelf ice usually doesn’t occur until January after a number of consecutive days of below-freezing temperatures.

Last year, there were about 20 days when significant formations of shelf ice were present.

A warning sign about shelf ice is posted at the main beach area for the Indiana Dunes State Park. (Jim Woods/for Post-Tribune)

Northwest Indiana has been inundated with more snow already, so it’s likely there will be more days of significant shelf ice this winter season along the Lake Michigan shore.

The Indiana Dunes State Park at the end of November posted signs in three different locations that warn: “Do not risk your life. Stay off the shelf ice.”

Shelf ice can be beautiful to behold.

“It looks like a hill of full, solid ice,” Lang said.

Those who climb the shelf ice hills may feel like they are on a secure surface.

However, there is water flowing underneath and there is a danger that the ice can separate, causing the person to fall through, Lang said.

“We try to educate people the best we can, through social media,” Lang said.

Indiana Conservation officers have the following tips, in addition to assuming that no ice is safe:

*Test the thickness of ice with an ice auger. At least 4 inches is recommended for ice fishing; 5 inches is recommended for snowmobiling.

*Wear a life jacket or flotation coat.

*Have ice picks and rope gear handy.

*Before going on ice, notify family or friends concerning your whereabouts.

*Don’t test the thickness of the ice while alone.

Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/11/conservation-offices-say-stay-off-shelf-ice/