MARINETTE — The Marinette County Sheriff’s Office is reminding individuals to be aware of dangerous ice conditions after a near-tragedy almost occurred on Green Bay Saturday.

Marinette County Sheriff Jerry Sauve is warning ice fisherman and anyone inclined to venture out onto the ice to use extreme caution, especially on the Bay of Green Bay, a press release from the sheriff’s office states. On Saturday, a near tragedy was avoided when a fisherman fell through thin ice on his snowmobile off Pond Road on the Bay.

After prompt response by other fishermen, the Marinette and Town of Peshtigo Fire Departments, Wisconsin DNR, wardens, rescue squads, paramedics and sheriff’s personnel the fisherman was pulled from the water. He was treated at Aurora/Bay Area Hospital in Marinette and later released after a very close call.

This year’s late developing ice did not allow for the normal thickness that develops most seasons. Now with warm weather, wind rain and icebreaking operations announced by the Coast Guard, the sheriff’s office is urging all fishermen to be extremely careful or to wait until next year. No fish is worth the risk of loss of life, the release states.