Spring icebreaking operations on Lake Superior start Wednesday Photo credit: U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ALDER Facebook SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MI-- The U.S. Coast Guard will be making its way through the ice on Lake Superior to prep for the 2021 shipping season. Starting Wednesday, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder will fracture the ice throughout Duluth and Superior Harbors and eventually encompass Chequamegon Bay, Thunder Bay, ONT, and perhaps the west end of the Keweenaw Waterway. The public will be notified of the planned icebreaking work for each location. According to a Coast Guard spokesperson, during the icebreaking process, ice becomes weak far beyond the tracks created by the icebreaker so if you are an ice angler, snowmobiler, or operate other terrain vehicles, it is recommended that you use caution and stay away from charted shipping channels.