The Brown County Sheriff’s Office closes Lake Hanska access after truck breaks through ice

On 01-21-2023 at 1:32 p.m. the Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a pickup truck that had broken through the ice on Lake Hanska near the main landing on the east side of the lake on County Road 6.  

There were no injuries and there are arrangements being made to remove the pickup truck.  

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those who use the lakes and rivers during the winter months of the current thin ice conditions on many local area lakes and rivers in Brown County.  

While no ice is 100 percent safe, please use caution anytime you venture onto lake ice or river ice, especially at night.  

Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible. If you must drive a vehicle, keep your windows down and be prepared to leave it in a hurry.  

Don’t “overdrive” your vehicle’s or snowmobile’s headlight. 

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office recommends following the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ice thickness guidelines before heading out onto the ice.  

The DNR offers the following guidelines for new clear ice:

4 inches for ice fishing or other activities on foot.

5 inches for snowmobile or ATV.

8-12 inches for car or small pickup.

12-15 inches for medium truck.  

And finally, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.