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U.S. Coast Guard rescue 5 fishermen from Lake Erie ice floe

The Detroit command centre received a distress call after the people managed to use flashlights to signal someone on shore who contacted Monroe County Dispatch.

Warm weather has melted much of the lake ice

An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit takes off from the frozen surface of Lake St. Clair, Jan. 24, 2015. Aircrews aboard Dolphin helicopters were conducting ice hoisting training. (U.S. Coast Guard/Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Delong)

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five fishermen from an ice floe in Lake Erie Friday.

The Detroit command centre received a distress call after the people managed to use flashlights to signal someone on shore who contacted Monroe County Dispatch.

"It would have been difficult to find them if they didn't have flashlights; it enabled them to signal for help and, ultimately, for us to locate them," explainedAir Station Detroit Aircraft Commander, Lt. Adam Morehousein a media release.

Lots of open water on lake

Recent warm weather has caused much of the ice to melt, according to the coast guard, who warned "ice sport enthusiasts" to check the forecast before heading out and to always carry flashlights, flares, VHR radios or a personal locator beacon when heading out on the lake.

"I'd also like to share with the ice-fishing community what we saw out there in regard to open water," added Morehouse."There is a lot of it. The water is completely open in some near shore areas."