The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is warning of thinning ice conditions over much of the state. In a statement released Tuesday, the DNR says only the far northern counties still have ice thickness of two feet or more. However, even those lakes are beginning to see openings in the ice around the edges as a result of snow melt and runoff.
At the moment, Highway 18 is serving as the unofficial boundary line for deteriorating ice conditions. The department expects ice fishing along Highway 18 and to the north of it to be on-going for another week or two.
Finally, the DNR urges anglers on the northern lakes to be on the lookout for weak spots and black ice, and to avoid areas with slush or water on top of the ice that could create unsafe conditions.
