Iowa’s below freezing temperatures are turning most of the state’s shallow, smaller lakes into ice. Mick Klemesrud with the Department of Natural Resources says the bigger lakes need more time before they’re safe for ice fishing or snowmobiles.
"It’s still pretty early," Klemesrud says, "we’ve heard that some lakes as far north as Lake Mills that still have good sections of open water. The lakes that do have ice still need a couple inches before it’s safe to go out." The 3,600 acre Clear Lake in northern Iowa is completely iced in, but Klemesrud says it may be a while before it’s safe for drilling fishing holes.
The DNR follows the recommendations offered by the Lumbermen’s Safety Association. Klemesrud says four inches of new, clear ice is recommended for activities like fishing and skating. A minimum of five inches of ice is recommended for safe snowmobiling or ATV activity. You can find updates on ice fishing conditions on the DNR website .