Two Boys Rescued After Falling Through Thin Ice on Straight Lake
Two brothers, ages 13 and 14, fell through roughly one inch of ice on Straight Lake near Osage on November 19, 2025 and were rescued by Minnesota DNR conservation officers and local responders after about 25 minutes. The uninjured boys and their family stressed caution, and the DNR reiterated its guidance that ice must be at least four inches thick for foot travel and that thickness can vary across a single lake.
On the afternoon of November 19, two brothers using an otter sled for ice fishing gear fell through thin ice on Straight Lake near Osage in Otter Tail County. Both boys were wearing flotation, one a life jacket and the other an insulated flotation equipped ice suit, and both were able to use an ice pick while waiting for help. A neighbor called 911 and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers along with local emergency responders reached the boys and pulled them from the water after about 25 minutes. Neither child was injured.
The timing and circumstances underscore how quickly early season ice can become dangerous. Responders reported that the ice where the boys fell was roughly one inch thick, far below the state recommended minimum for foot travel. The DNR reiterates that ice should be at least four inches thick before people go out on it, and cautions that thickness can vary widely within a single lake because of currents, springs, submerged vegetation, and recent weather patterns.
For Otter Tail County residents the incident is a reminder that winter recreation can carry sudden risks, especially in November when ice is forming but not yet stable. Ice fishing is an important seasonal activity that supports local retailers, guides, and services, but thinner early season ice increases the likelihood of emergency responses and potential strain on volunteer fire departments and conservation officers. Rescues require coordinated personnel, equipment, and time, and even when outcomes are good there are costs in hours and resources for local agencies.
The equipment the boys had likely made a significant difference in the outcome. Flotation devices and an insulated flotation equipped suit reduce the immediate risk of drowning and cold water incapacitation, and an ice pick can aid self rescue by allowing a person to get a grip and begin to haul themselves from the hole. Still, the DNR emphasizes that prevention remains the best protection. Local officials advise residents to check ice thickness in multiple spots before venturing out, to carry flotation and rescue tools, and to let others know planned routes and expected return times.
Beyond immediate safety advice, the rescue highlights policy considerations for county emergency planning and public education. As climate variability alters freeze cycles, earlier and less predictable ice formation may lead to more incidents unless outreach and signage are increased. For families and anglers in Otter Tail County, the message from this episode is clear. Take precautions, verify ice thickness, and treat early season ice as unreliable so that community recreation can continue safely.
