The group were riding snow mobiles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the frozen lake when the ice sheet broke away near Catawba Island.
Eleven members of the stranded group were rescued by a US Coast Guard helicopter and airboat on Sunday.
Authorities thanked a "good Samaritan" who assisted the remaining seven back to safety in a private airboat.
The group was spotted on the floating sheet of ice by a US Coast Guard helicopter which began its rescue at 13:00 (18:00 GMT) on Sunday.
