Not Safe Boating

[FourDees]

Saw 2 guys pull their 20ft tin can onto their trailer today at Catawba launch beach {launch iced in}. Boat was small with a 20 horse older evinrude...said they went to Green Island and back !! Absolute madness. The number of things that could have went wrong.

[West Basin]

He's right on.

Lake is still over half ice covered, all broken up, constantly moving around. A spot is open water one hour ice covered the next. So it's incredibility dangerous to be out in a boat due to the possibility of hitting ice pieces and having your ramp or access point ice blocked when you return.

STAY HOME!

Friday Satellite.

[island troller]

Been going out for 40 years boating among the floating ice. Use extra caution knowing the dangers and it can be done. Lake Erie always have risk. Watch the satelite picture, winds, travel speed along with your cell phone and marine radio usage. Its not for everyone and yes there are more risks but its my decision.

[MBLMIKE]

I remember going out on a early May out of chagrin river probably not the best decision water was very cold but no ice wanted to try the warm water from the electric plant discharge , l was alone until another boater joined me for a few minutes we decided it was a bust so we both packed up and hit the trailers early spring is dangerous as is all other boating on Erie as well as Ice fishing you have to be extra careful no mater what time of year your boating or fishing . And remember to look out for one another when we are out in early spring.

[capt pete]

I am 85. My dad would take me fishing out of the Chagrin River then always to that electric plant warm water discharge. That was in the early 1950s. Great memories! Thanks for your article and its nostalgia. Capt Pete
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[Jawbreaker]

If you wait for safe boating, you won't have any fish in your freezer. A lot of guys brought fish home yesterday, and I haven't heard of any accidents. I stayed home because of the east wind in the morning. Was worried about the ramp getting iced in, like others said.
But that being said, Lk Erie is never safe boating.

[waterdog]

If you wait for safe boating, you won't have any fish in your freezer. A lot of guys brought fish home yesterday, and I haven't heard of any accidents. I stayed home because of the east wind in the morning. Was worried about the ramp getting iced in, like others said.
But that being said, Lk Erie is never safe boating.

there will be plenty of time this year to get your fish, safe boating is always a number 1, be safe, there will be plenty of time to get your eye on~!

[LEfriend]

there will be plenty of time this year to get your fish, safe boating is always a number 1, be safe, there will be plenty of time to get your eye on~!

Well said Waterdog. Good to see you back!

Fortunately (rather unfortunately) I won't be tempted. Had urgent spinal surgery last week to relieve pressure on spinal nerves in neck. Successful but facing several weeks recovery from that. And still don't yet have Myasthenia Gravis muscle weakness under control. Who knows when I will again be able to bounce around in a boat on Erie? So for third year in a row face - at least for now - a fishing season confined in a chair at home and my own boat that hasn't been in water for two years. Will dream of better days to come by reading the posts of good folks like you and Jules. Keeps me going and hoping for the positive.

[Eyezcrazy]

Sorry to hear this LE friend. I had neck surgery 3 years ago and recovered well. I hope yours gets better and you can get that boat out.

[Ducker]

Actually if you look at the data, spring fishing is safer than in the summer. More people die during the warm summer months that this time of year. Over all boating death per 100000, is safer than driving to the bait shop to pick up gear to go fishing. I think most people who fish in the early spring know that it takes extra care, so they do. With this in mind, I never could figure out the sociology of the Nelly nay sayers. I think they are afraid to go them selves, and in turn they don't want anyone else to enjoy themselves either. The reasons don't really matter as to why they continue to try and scare people. Just go and have a good time fishing. See ya on the water.