As southeast Iowa experiences its coldest temperatures of the winter season, anglers will be looking to hit the ponds and lakes to begin ice fishing. 

Washington County Conservation Naturalist Megan Jorgensen wants to remind the public to stay safe and take necessary precautions before going out on the ice. She says residents should always go out with another person or let someone know when you are leaving and returning. As anglers begin to go out on the ice, it’s recommended to use an auger to continuously check the thickness of the ice as they move further away from shore. Jorgenson gives ice thickness recommendations, “Four inches is okay for ice fishing, so going out with your shack or if you’re just going to fish on a bucket. Five inches is the best for snowmobiles or ATVs. Eight to 12 inches for a small car or pickup truck and then 12 to 15 inches at least for a medium truck.”

Jorgenson added that new ice is stronger than old ice and to be aware of snow that accumulates on the ice. Snow can help insulate and slow down the freezing process, making it unsafe to be on. She stresses the importance of always checking the thickness where you are as ice does not always freeze at the same depth in all places. For more ice fishing safety tips, visit here.