Anglers who are itching to ice fish in southeast Iowa will have to remain patient, as ice conditions are unsafe in a majority of the area’s lakes and ponds.

This week, a very thin layer of ice was reported at Lake Darling in Washington County, while Lake Belva Deer in Keokuk County still had very little to no ice. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends a minimum of four inches of quality ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. The safe ice reported in Iowa is in the northern half of the State at this time.

For a full list of current ice conditions on Iowa’s lakes, ponds, and rivers, check out the complete fishing report at iowadnr.gov.