AccuWeather.com

By Jillian MacMath, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

Feb 9, 2012; 5:48 AM ET

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Photo by AccuWeather.com photo gallery

While many have enjoyed this season's mild winter weather, it has had a downside for several tourism sites across America, particularly in Lake Erie.

Lake Erie, a destination known for both its summer and winter recreation opportunities, is significantly warmer than it usually is at this time of year. Currently the water temperature is about 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

This degree of warmth has been particularly problematic because the lake has not yet been able to freeze this season, and potentially won't until next year.

As Lake Erie is the most shallow of all the Great Lakes, it is often the quickest to freeze.

Already, there have been two rescues, when a 17- and 18-year-old man were duck hunting along Lake Erie's northern shore, and became stranded on an ice floe in the bay. They were airlifted out by the U.S. Coast Guard's 9th District Command Center in the early morning of Feb. 6.

"With unusually warm temperatures this winter in the Great Lakes region, people who plan to recreate on or near the water should monitor the weather and ensure they have all the recommended safety gear," the 9th District said in a news release.

The tourism industry, however, is finding ways to deal with the troublesome weather.

"Anecdotally, I'd definitely say the lack of ice fishing is hurting some businesses, but it's certainly not the first year it has happened," Jill Bauer, Public Relations Coordinator for Lake Erie Shores and Islands, said.

But the company estimates that the lost revenue in the western basin of the lake is in excess of a half million dollars.

"However, the lake not freezing has made getting to and from the islands easier and cheaper. I've even heard some island businesses will be extending their season this year by opening earlier than usual, since supplies will be easier to get," said Bauer.