Keeping safe on Keyhole Reservoir

For ice fishermen and other winter enthusiasts wanting to visit Keyhole State Park this month, park supervisor Wade Henderson reports that, “The ice is anywhere between six and nine inches, depending on where you’re at. In some areas, the ice is cloudy and not great and in other places, several inches of clear over a couple inches of cloudy.”

Cloudy ice is unsafe to traverse, according to Henderson, while clear is sound. The superintendent also warns guests on the reservoir about an unusual number of pressure ridges in many previously stable areas, indicating open water and dangerous conditions.

“Use extreme caution around them,” he says.

Due to these circumstances, the only legal access points onto the ice with a motorized vehicle at this time is at the various boat ramps including Pat’s Point, Coulter Bay, Wind Creek and Tatanka camping ground.

“We’re waiting until the ice gets a little bit thicker before we open up all the ice access points,” he says.

The fishing is “okay” with crappies and a few walleye biting, Henderson said, but a rider lost their ATV to the water a couple of weeks ago and, though the individual did not go under, they had to pay Weston County Search and Rescue to retrieve the vehicle. He warns, “Use at your own risk.”