These Are The Top Hidden Ice Dangers, Unsafe Ice Warning Signs On Minnesota Lakes

Wintertime in Minnesota opens a wealth of outdoor activity opportunities as our 10,000 (and more) lakes freeze over.

From ice fishing to ice skating, snowmobiling to cross-country skiing, flying a kite on a winter day, or even something like ice golf (if you've never tried it, it's fun!), Minnesotans love to take advantage of winter activities on our frozen lakes.

Venturing out onto Minnesota's frozen lakes comes with some risks, however. Every year, there are sadly stories about people ending up in the frigid waters of a lake, pond, or other body of water because they broke through the ice.

We hear every year from the Minnesota DNR and other officials that no ice is ever safe ice - and it's true. Ice conditions are always changing through the winter, and ice is often not consistent across an entire body of water.

READ MORE: The 10 Commandments Of Ice Fishing In Minnesota

Just because it is safe in one spot, that doesn't mean it is safe in another. I know, it sounds obvious, but a lot of people forget this every winter.

Besides ice inconsistency on a body of water, what was once safe ice could become unsafe, sometimes even in a surprisingly short amount of time.

There are a lot of factors that can lead to that ice inconsistency or changing conditions. Here are some of the things to look for and places to avoid that you might not know present ice safety dangers.