Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers were urging anglers and others to avoid the hazardous ice conditions on Little Bay de Noc in Delta County.

Several individuals have been reported falling through the ice into the waters of Lake Michigan. At least one off-road vehicle was also reported to have broken through the ice.

The deteriorating ice conditions on the bay are similar to those reported at numerous lakes across the region, with temperatures remaining above normal.

“No ice is safe ice,” DNR deputy public information officer John Pepin said. “While ice fishing is a fantastic pastime, the failing ice conditions being reported today threaten lives.

“Anyone deciding to brave the ice of an Upper Peninsula lake should exercise extreme caution.”

In particular, areas of water bodies to avoid include places fed by springs, river and creek mouths, lakes with open water around shorelines and beyond.

Ice safety tips from the DNR include —

— There is no reliable “inch-thickness” to determine if ice is safe.

–Ice thickness and quality can be tested using a spud, needle bar or auger.

— Strongest ice: clear with bluish tint.

— Weak ice: ice formed by melted and refrozen snow, will appears milky.

— Stay off ice with slush on top. Slush ice is only half as strong as clear ice and indicates the ice is not freezing from the bottom.

— A warm spell may take several days to weaken ice, and cause the ice to thaw during the day and refreeze at night.

— Ice weakens with age.

— If there’s ice on the lake but water around the shoreline, be extra cautious.

— The stronger the current on the lake, the more likely the ice will give to open water.

— Avoid areas of ice with protruding debris like logs or brush.

— Keep an eye out for dock bubblers or de-icers, as the ice near these mechanisms will be unsafe. Always check the ice and be aware of your surroundings.