The invisible threat of ice fishing in South Dakota

LAKE COUNTY, S.D. (KELO) — Authorities believe carbon monoxide is to blame for the death of man found on Norcross Lake in Minnesota. He was found unresponsive in his ice shack.

Many people across KELOLAND love ice fishing for various reasons.

“Being in the outdoors and being by yourself, believe it or not. So hardly any distractions. It’s a good way to spend some downtime,” said ice fisherman Scott Reiff.

But carbon monoxide poisoning can be a threat to anyone trying to keep the cold out of their ice shack.

“Anytime somebody is using a device that burns petroleum product or coal or wood or anything like that, there’s always going to be a threat of carbon monoxide,” says Craig Kruse of Watertown Fire Rescue.

What to keep in mind while ice fishing in Iowa

Most people experienced in ice fishing know what to do if they’re using a heater that emits carbon monoxide.

“Get up, walk around, go outside, get some fresh air. Every once in a while. Definitely not recommended to sleep in a nice shack with an open flame heater. Maybe you could if you had a window open all night long, that would be–That’s how I think some people do it, but that’s my advice,” said Reiff.

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