Windsor harbour master warns walkers to stay off Detroit River ice

The Detroit River seen in Windsor, Ont. on Feb. 11, 2026. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Windsor’s harbour master is issuing a blunt warning after several people were spotted walking on the frozen Detroit River in recent days: Don’t do it.

Peter Berry said despite the recent cold weather, the river’s ice is unpredictable and dangerous because of constantly moving water beneath the surface.

“They shouldn’t be walking across the river or trying to go out anywhere along the moving river, the Detroit River,” Berry said.

“Yes, it looks easy to get across to Detroit and an easy way in, but that is constantly moving and opening and closing. Not safe.”

Berry told CTV News that just this week three people attempted to walk out onto the ice near the Ambassador Bridge, prompting a police response.

“The first one demanded a full police call out. Windsor police had to attend, I was called to attend,” he recalled. “When the person came back, he didn’t see what the big fuss was about walking out.”

Berry said two of the individuals were newcomers to Canada without identification. While no charges were laid, he noted that walking onto the river can result in a fine of up to $500.

Berry pointed to a fatal incident five years ago as an example of how quickly things can go wrong.

“We had a gentleman do the same thing off Belle Isle. He tipped on one of the ice floes and died and we found his body seven months later,” he said.

“So, it is very dangerous. It is unstable. It’s considered fast ice. And no fast ice is good ice.”

Unlike a lake or pond, the Detroit River never truly freezes solid, Berry explained.

“The water is constantly moving underneath and the varying temperatures are there, moving that ice up and down as well,” he said.

“What you thought was a solid piece of ice to walk on is now broken free and drifting down the river, and unstable.”

Berry said a close call in January highlighted just how unpredictable conditions can be.

He said a person walked from Detroit to the Canadian shoreline and then returned safely, only for the ice to open up moments later.

“Once she got back to the U.S. shoreline, the river opened up,” Berry said. “When the first responders arrived, it was open water they were looking at and thinking she did not make it – but she did.”

He said some of the people venturing out this week shrugged off the risk.

“They said, ‘beautiful day, why not give it a look?’” Berry said. “It is not a thing to look at except from shore.”

At Lakeview Park Marina in Windsor, regular waterfront users say they’re not taking any chances.

“I keep my feet on solid ground,” said Wayne Desjardins.

Desjardins said the ice inside the protected marina area can be more stable, but he wouldn’t venture out onto open water.

“In here it’s not bad, because the ice is not going nowhere,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on the lake.”

With milder temperatures in the forecast, he expects conditions to deteriorate quickly.

“Next week the weather is going to be high 30s, low 40s,” Desjardins said. “It’s going to be making ice fishing tough.”

Another marina visitor, Eddie Parent, said stepping onto the river ice simply isn’t worth the risk.

“To walk on there, I wouldn’t. You’d never catch me on there,” he said.

“It could be three, four inches one day, gone the next. That’s the thing about the water.”

Berry said beyond the personal danger, anyone who ventures onto the river also puts first responders at risk.

“To walk out on the river at any time during ice season is an absolute ridiculous, poor judgment thing to do,” he said.

“You’re putting yourself at risk, but you’re putting first responders at risk.”

He added that rescue options are limited and time is critical in frigid water.

“We have no local full-time ice rescue full time. LaSalle fire has an ice rescue team, but it takes time for them to get there. Any time in that water, it’s going to take minutes to hypothermia,” Berry said.

“And we can’t help you. We can’t come get you.”

His message to the public: admire the winter scenery from a safe distance.

“Stay off the ice and stay on shore,” Berry said.