Minnesota Fisherman Found Dead Inside Ice Fishing Shelter

White Earth, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities are investigating after a Minnesota man was found dead inside of an ice fishing house over the weekend. 

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A news release issued by the White Earth Tribal Police Department says officers were dispatched to an area lake for welfare check on Saturday. 

The news release says the ice shack was on Norcross Lake, which is about two miles east of White Earth. Upon arrival, responding officers located an unresponsive male inside of the fish house. 

The man was identified as 37-year-old Nathan Ray of Borup. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

An official cause of death has not yet been determined, however law enforcement suspects Ray died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. 

Officials remind all anglers who use a heater in their ice houses to ensure they have proper ventilation. They say all heated ice shacks should have a Carbon Monoxide detector. 

Some of the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are:

• headache
• nausea
• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• dizziness
• mental confusion

The DNR says anyone ice fishing in a heated shelter who experiences these symptoms should leave the shelter and get into fresh air immediately. 

Officials warn Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas that’s produced when fuel is burned. The gas is released by propane heaters, which is a common tool used by ice fishers to warm their shelters.

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