RHINELANDER - Across the Northwoods, you can find anywhere from 6 to 9 inches of ice on the lakes. But in many places, snowmobiles and ice fishermen can still break through.

Thursday a 55-year old Hayward man died when his snowmobile went through the ice on the Chippewa Flowage.

It's for scenarios like that, that a Northwoods rescue team took to the ice to practice.

You might have done a double take when driving through Rhinelander Thursday night.

The Pelican Fire Department had three fire trucks on the County G bridge over the Pelican River around 7:30.

But no one actually was in danger. They were practicing various hazardous rescue scenarios.

That included an ice rescue with live bodies.

The crews used what's called a line launcher to rescue some of the people.

The line launcher has a 500 foot range.

Crews hope their practice reminds you to be cautious on the waterways this winter.

Along with the Hayward death, a snowmobile went through the ice near Eagle River Thursday afternoon.

And a man's body had to be recovered after he went through the ice in Outagamie County.

Story By: Lane Kimble