Sauna After Ice Fishing or Hockey: Planning a North Metro Evening

Off the ice, still in the cold

If you spend winter weekends on a frozen lake in Isanti County or on a rink in Blaine, Andover or Forest Lake, you know the feeling at the end of the day: the gear is damp, the truck heater is on high, and the plan for the evening is still blank. A sauna visit is one way to fill it. This guide covers a sauna after ice fishing or hockey in Minnesota as a practical plan: what to do before you leave, what to bring, how long to stay, and what the room at 5D Wellness in East Bethel looks like.

This isn't a promise about what a sauna does for your body. It's a visit plan, built from safety guidance by Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Health and the Minnesota DNR, plus facts from our own pages.

Start with a safe day on the ice

A good sauna evening starts with a good day outdoors. The Minnesota DNR says 4 inches of new clear ice is the minimum for ice fishing or walking, and that thickness is seldom the same across a lake. Temperature, snow cover, currents and springs all change how safe the ice is, so measure it yourself with a spud bar or auger rather than trusting someone else's tracks.

The DNR also suggests wearing a life jacket or float coat on the ice and carrying ice picks, rope and a phone. None of that is about saunas. It's still the first item on any North Metro plan. Skaters have an easier version of the same rule: get off the ice, get out of the wet gear, and decide the next step before you start driving.

Pack the bag before you leave the lake or rink

Your sauna bag is easiest to pack at home, before the day starts. Keep it in the truck, away from the wet hockey bag and the tackle. A short list works:

• A water bottle you will actually finish
• A dry layer and a hat for the drive home
• A separate bag for damp gear so it stays out of the dry one
• Something to wear if you plan to use the plunge. The plunge page asks for no baggy cotton clothing in the plunges

We keep a longer checklist in what to bring to a sauna and plunge visit, so use it if this is your first time.

Sauna ground rules

A few basics from trusted sources keep the visit simple. They apply whether you came from a lake, a rink or an office.

Keep it short, especially the first round

Cleveland Clinic says sessions usually run around 15 to 20 minutes, and that newcomers can start with about five minutes and add time on later visits. Harvard Health gives the same starting point and says to leave right away if you feel extremely hot, lightheaded or dizzy. Staying in longer doesn't earn you anything.

Water first, and skip the beer

Drink water before and after your session. Cleveland Clinic also notes that dehydration can bring thirst, headaches and muscle cramps. It says not to use a sauna if you have been drinking alcohol, which matters on a Saturday when the lake crowd has a cooler in the wheelhouse. Save the drink for after the visit.

Step out gradually

Harvard Health suggests cooling down gradually instead of walking straight outdoors into cold weather. In practice that means sitting for a few minutes, drinking water and putting your layers back on before you head to the parking lot.

Who should check first

Cleveland Clinic lists several groups who should talk to a healthcare provider before using a sauna: people with certain heart conditions, anyone pregnant or trying to be, anyone who takes medication, people over 65 or under 16, and people with certain neurologic conditions. If any of that applies to you, ask first. Nothing in this article is medical advice.

What a private room at 5D looks like

5D Wellness is at 18447 Highway 65 NE, Suite C, in East Bethel, with a free parking lot. The private infrared sauna rooms are full-spectrum infrared rooms with red light in the walls. You pick from six preset programs or a quick-start mode, and you set the intensity that feels right to you. The room is private, so there's no crowd to keep up with after a long day.

Some rooms have the plunge behind the same door. Our four plunges run 37°F to 46°F year-round. If you want to pair the two, the plan on our plunge page is to go back and forth twice over 30 to 50 minutes. The plunge is optional, and a sauna-only visit is a full visit. Our post on the hot and cold plunge pairing goes into more detail on what the water temperatures are like.

Hockey players and anglers tend to ask the same thing: do I need a routine first? No. Start with one short round, see how it feels, and decide about the plunge after that.

Timing the evening

Staff are on site seven days a week, 8 AM to 4 PM, and members can visit at any hour, since the studio is open 24/7 for members. That second part matters if your day on the ice runs late or your game ends at 9. Non-members can book a visit online and see which times are open.

A simple plan looks like this:

1. Get off the ice, change out of wet layers and pack the damp gear separately.
2. Drive to East Bethel. From Ham Lake, Andover, Blaine, Cedar, Oak Grove or Isanti, Highway 65 is the main route, and Cambridge and Forest Lake are a short drive further out.
3. Drink water, change, and start with a short first round of about five to 15 minutes.
4. Sit for a few minutes, drink more water and decide whether you want a second round or a plunge.
5. Get dressed, rest a little, then head home or out to dinner.

The short version

Plan the visit the way you plan the day on the ice. Check the basics, pack the bag, keep the first round short, and leave when you want to. A sauna after ice fishing or hockey is an easy way to close out a long North Metro winter day, and the private rooms in East Bethel keep it simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a first sauna visit after hockey or ice fishing be?

Cleveland Clinic suggests sessions of about 15 to 20 minutes, and newcomers can start near five minutes and add time on later visits. Set the intensity to what feels comfortable and step out if you feel dizzy.

Can I have a beer first?

Cleveland Clinic advises skipping the sauna if you have been drinking alcohol. Save the drink for after your visit.

Is the sauna open late in the evening?

5D Wellness is open 24/7 for members. Staff are on site seven days a week from 8 AM to 4 PM. If you are not a member, use the booking page to see which times are open.

Do I have to use the plunge?

No. The plunge is optional. Our plunges run 37°F to 46°F, and a visit with only the sauna is a complete visit.

This article is for general wellness and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. 5D Wellness services are not a substitute for professional medical care. Results vary by individual. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new wellness practice, especially if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.