(WWJ) A Michigan fisherman has died after falling through the ice on Tawas Bay.
Michigan State Police told WNEM the family of 61-year-old Walker Whitford went looking for him on Saturday after he failed to return home, and found his empty ice shanty.
Police said appears Whitford had driven his ATV out onto the ice — which investigators found was only about an inch thick in the area — and fell through.
Whitford's body was later recovered from the water.
Troopers caution ice fishermen to be extremely careful when venturing onto the ice.
Meanwhile, Michigan's Department of Natural Resources says all shanties must be removed once ice no longer can safely support them.
The DNR says repeated thawing and refreezing of ice weakens its integrity, decreasing its ability to support additional weight of people, snowmobiles, off-road vehicles and shanties. The deteriorating ice, water currents and high winds also increase the probability of pressure cracks.
