It advised snowmobilers to stay the canal Saturday, a day after one sled fell through the ice. The incident is believed to be the first of the season, said Deputy Matt Tchida.

The snowmobiler was able to pull himself out of the ice without injury. A dive team was able to recover the snowmobile about 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Tchida said.

The sled fell through about 75 to 100 feet from the Hancock side of the bridge, and about 200 feet east of the bridge, Tchida said.

Riders are advised to use designated snowmobile trails and the lower portion of the lift bridge to cross the canal.

Jon Jaehnig/For the Gazette Snowmobile tracks are seen from another angle on the Portage Lake Canal leading to open water Monday.

With temperatures climbing above freezing, ice cover on some parts of the canal is only 2 to 3 inches, Tchida said. There are also spots near the bridge that do not freeze over.

Spots on the surface also had slush buildup, Tchida said.

“It just creates conditions that are not ideal for running snowmobiles over the ice,” he said.

National Weather Service forecasts show highs remaining in the mid to high 20s during the week, rising to above freezing this weekend.

For snowmobilers who discover thin ice, slowing down or stopping can compound the problem, Tchida said. Another rider accompanying the one who fell through the ice had also started to break through, but had enough momentum to make it to shore, Tchida said.

Even if people see snowmobile tracks crossing the canal, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to ride, Tchida said.

“With fresh snowfall, it can disguise thinner spots that you can’t see when you’re riding in your snowmobile,” he said.

Snowmobilers can also face fines and costs for recovery of the snowmobile and cleanup of any leakage, Tchida said. He had not heard of any fluids entering the waterway. A Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) spokesman said Monday the department did not have any information on the incident.