It’s hard not to like a forecast that includes temperatures in the 60’s in Iowa in late December unless your among those who like ice. Iowa Department of Natural Resources spokesman Mick Klemesrud says cold weather produced some solid support for ice fishing — but it may all melt away. He says the thing they’re most concerned about is the forecast for rain, as he says rain will eat ice really fast. He says if you want to see an example, put some ice in the sink and hit it with cold water and it will just evaporate. Klemesrud says you should use caution if you venture out on the ice in warmer or rainy conditions. He says they’re encouraging people to not give up on ice fishing just yet, but he says if you’re going out, you should go north. He says you should cut test holes often and be aware of the conditions. Klemesrud says people who ice fish are very dedicated and sometimes take too many risks. He says he’s seen people using boards to get over open water to ice, fishing on black ice and honeycombed ice. He says, “I think we’ll be okay, I just think we need to use a little caution.” He says maybe instead of fishing in southern and central Iowa lakes, look to lakes in the north where it’ll be colder. Klemesrud says an estimated 70-thousand people in Iowa ice fish.
