Ice fishing not advised across much of Iowa

Iowa’s stretch of unseasonably warm temperatures has deteriorated the quality of ice across much of the state south of Iowa Hwy. 3, to the point where any remaining ice is considered unsafe and ice fishing is discouraged, according to a DNR release issued on Dec. 23.

“Ice fishing in central and southern Iowa is not advised,” said Colonel Craig Cutts, chief of law enforcement for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “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.

“It’s better for the quality of ice to restart from open water, than to grow ice thickness over bad ice conditions.”

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North of Iowa Hwy. 3, anglers are encouraged to check the ice as they go and to avoid any dark or discolored ice as these are signs of deteriorating conditions.

The Iowa DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of quality ice for ice fishing. The weekly Iowa Fishing Report will have the latest information on ice conditions across the state.