Winter has come in full force, causing many area anglers to get ready to venture out on Washington County lakes and ponds for fishing. Vance Polton, Fisheries Management Technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources urges anglers to be safe on the ice. Polton recommends drilling several test holes before getting too far from the shoreline. The recommended thickness of ice is eight inches.

Polton advises anglers to use the buddy system whenever on the ice and to always wear a life jacket. For more from Polton listen to today’s In Touch with Southeast Iowa.