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Winter is on the horizon and that means area bodies of water will be frozen over and ready for ice fishing. Steve Anderson from the Washington County Conservation Board says safety and common sense are most important when ice fishing. Anderson says when it comes to ice safety; fisherman should be sure there is at least two inches of good clear ice beneath them, and if there are 2 people, four inches are required. Anderson says using the buddy system is also recommended, as well as wearing a set of picks. Eight inches of ice is required when using an ATV or vehicle on the ice. For more ice fishing safety tips, visit iowadnr.gov.