City warns anglers to stay off Pinhook Lake's ice

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Parks Department is warning everyone to stay off the ice at Pinhook Lake because it is not solid. A natural spring flows into the lake, which keeps it from freezing over completely.



When ice fishing, knowing where to cast the line out could mean the difference between life and death.



"It might look like it's this thick all the way, and it might be, until you find out the hard way and you go right through the ice," said Garry Harrington of the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department.



Parts of the lake are frozen, but the parts that are not frozen have naturalists on edge.



"Maybe some people know some of the deep spots as opposed to some of those thin spots, but you got to be careful, you're taking your life in your own hands," said Harrington.



Because those underground springs flow non-stop, the ice on top of the lake is constantly shifting.



Harrington says you should stay off it.



"Very, very dangerous to come out to a place like Pinhook and fish," said Harrington.



For anglers who do decide to test their luck, the parks department is recommending they use a flotation device and have a buddy nearby to help out in the case of an emergency.