From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - October 15, 2019

As the leaves fall, the air temperature drops and memories of years past serve as a constant reminder that winter may be only a day away. It’s a time when hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans– many of them anglers and hunters – will spend the next month or two out in the elements, chasing fish, scanning the sky for ducks, or waiting for the deer that will fill their freezers with venison.

For anyone whose fall plans include time on the water, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers this reminder: Your safety is your responsibility.

This time of the year can be especially dangerous for anyone who recreates on the water because falls into cold lakes, ponds or rivers incapacitate even strong swimmers.

And while some people like the solitude that comes with being on the water in the fall, it’s a double-edged sword because cries for help may go unheard or rescues may take longer than they would have during the warm-weather months.

While more boating-related accidents occur during the busy summer months, a higher percentage of them are fatal during the cold-water season and survival rates drop drastically.