(Arnolds Park)– While ice conditions are relatively good on smaller lakes in the region, that isn’t necessarily the case on the larger lakes. Blake Mills, a Conservation Officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, tells KUOO news there are a couple of factors behind the varying thickness…
“With our temps up and down recently the past couple of weeks there’s been good ice being formed and then we’ve had some spots that have started a little bit of melting, so it really varies on which lake you’re talking. You know the bigger lakes obviously take a little longer to freeze up; the smaller lakes have fairly good ice on most of them right now.”
Mills says there are several locations you want to stay away from, such as under bridges, points and areas where currents are present…
“Right now the bigger lakes, West Okoboji, Big Spirit out in the center of the lakes where they froze up later on or, you know, maybe we had some open pockets due to waterfowl would be some areas to lookout for. But no matter where you’re going the general rule is no ice is safe ice and so it’s always just easier to take safety practices when you’re heading out onto the ice.”
He offers these safety tips…
“If you’re not familiar with an area or it’s new to you, try to check with some local folks, bait shops, people that are walking out to go fishing, maybe ask them if they’ve fished that area before or have any idea about the ice thickness. There’s a few safety things you can take with you. A spud bar or something to check ice in front of you as you’re walking out. Ice cleats, you know the things that go on your boots to help you walk to avoid slipping or in the event you hear ice cracking or popping you can rapidly move away from that area if need be. The spikes, you know a lot of folks hang them around their neck as they’re walking out. In the event you do fall through you can use them in your hands to help pull yourself out of the water. And then you always just have the buddy system. If you have somebody going fishing with you walk out together but keep a good distance in between you with a chunk of rope that way in the event someone does go through you have someone nearby that can help right away.”
Mills says he’s aware of at least one incident so far this season in which an off-road vehicle fell through the ice on East Lake Okoboji.
