3 Ice Fishermen Rescued After Falling Through Thin Ice in McHenry County

Fire officials say the men were quickly brought to safety after falling into Pistakee Lake.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Three men who were ice fishing on Pistakee Lake in Johnsburg, Illinois were rescued by fire crews on Thursday afternoon after falling through thin ice. The McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded to the scene and deployed firefighters in specialized suits to pull the partially submerged men from the freezing water in less than 8 minutes. All three were taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of venturing onto frozen waterways, especially as temperatures have fluctuated and compromised the ice. Local authorities are using this as an opportunity to warn the public to avoid frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers unless they can be certain the ice is thick and stable enough to support activity.

The details

According to fire officials, the three men were believed to have been ice fishing on Pistakee Lake when they fell through the thin ice around 3:15pm on Thursday. Rescue crews arrived quickly and deployed firefighters wearing specialized suits to pull the partially submerged men from the water and bring them safely to shore within 8 minutes. All three were transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

  • The incident occurred around 3:15pm on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • The three men were rescued and brought to shore in less than 8 minutes.

The players

McHenry Township Fire Protection District

The local fire department that responded to the emergency call and carried out the ice rescue operation.

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What’s next

Local authorities are advising the public to avoid venturing onto any frozen waterways unless they can be certain the ice is thick and stable enough to support activity.

The takeaway

This incident serves as an important reminder of the dangers of ice fishing and other winter activities on frozen lakes and ponds, especially as climate change leads to more unpredictable and unstable ice conditions. It highlights the need for caution and awareness when enjoying outdoor recreation on frozen waterways.