Warmer temperatures across northwest Iowa have conservation officials warning that ice conditions on area lakes are deteriorating quickly.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Officer Blake Mills says lake access points are currently the biggest concern.
Mills explains that warm runoff water weakens the edges of the ice first, making it more dangerous for anglers trying to get on or off the lake. He adds that ice seams and at some points are also experiencing movement and water melting, leading to rapidly changing conditions from one day to the next.
He urges anyone venturing onto the ice to take added precautions.
Mills says most permanent ice houses have already been removed ahead of the March 1 deadline, reducing the risk of equipment becoming stranded as conditions worsen.
With warmer temperatures expected through at least the next week, officials say ice conditions will likely continue to weaken. The DNR reminds anglers that no ice is ever completely safe, especially during late-season thaws.
This story is courtesy of fellow Community First Broadcasting station KUOO
