March 6, 2026 — With temperatures rising across the region, the Bemus Point Fire Department is urging residents to stay off the ice on Chautauqua Lake as conditions continue to rapidly deteriorate.

Officials report that the lake ice is changing quickly due to recent freeze–thaw cycles, creating several critical hazards for anyone attempting to venture out.

Among the concerns is “rotten ice,” which can appear solid on the surface but may contain air pockets and weakened layers beneath. Open water traps are also forming, particularly near creek mouths, as the main ice sheet begins to break apart. In addition, shoreline erosion is making entry points unstable, with many areas becoming soft, cracked, or mushy.

Fire officials stress that no ice is ever completely safe and that current conditions significantly increase the risk of someone falling through.

The department is strongly advising residents to stay off the ice, noting that the dangers currently far outweigh the reward of one last late-season fishing trip.