Iowans with ice fishing holiday traditions will need to postpone those plans for at least a few weeks, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The recent and persistent warm conditions seen across the state have deteriorated ice quality to the point that DNR staff do not recommend going out, particularly on lakes and ponds south of Iowa Highway 3. DNR Law Enforcement Chief Craig Cutts says, “We will return to more seasonable weather next week, and that should put down a fresh layer of ice, but we have to give it some time to freeze.” Earlier this week, an eight-year-old boy died in Appanoose County after falling through the ice while fishing. Conditions may not be suitable for anglers, even in northern Iowa. The DNR recommends at least four inches of clear, quality ice for human traffic, five to seven inches for ATVs or snowmobiles, and more than seven inches for larger off-road UTVs. Remember, no ice is ever 100 percent safe.
