DES MOINES - Lake and streams are freezing over in many parts of Iowa, but ice conditions are still considered marginal over much of the state. Even though cold weather is predicted for the rest of the week, the snow on top of the ice is preventing ice growth.

"Clear Lake is not ready for ice fishing, and the smaller lakes in the area are marginal, but improving. The best advice is to give it a few more days for the cold weather to do its thing," said Jim Wahl, fisheries biologist at Clear Lake.

In northwest Iowa, the cold weather is having a hard time growing ice.

"It (Spirit Lake) froze over, then it snowed, and you can't believe how well that snow insulates the ice. We only have about an inch to an inch and a half of ice in Anglers Bay," said Jim Christianson, fisheries biologist at Sprit Lake.

Even on smaller area lakes - Trumbull and Virgin - there was not enough ice for ice fishing.

"I know people are excited and anxious to get out, but they should stay off the ice," Christianson said. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends a minimum of four inches of ice for general use. Ice should be at least five inches thick to support a snowmobile, at least 7-1/2 inches thick to support a car weighing no more than 2 tons, gross weight.

Test the ice early and often with a spud bar or ice auger when heading out, because ice thickness is not uniform on any lake or stream. Avoid off-colored or slushy ice as those are signs of weakness. Trees or stumps sticking through the ice can act as heat conductors and make the ice weak.

For more information, contact Mick Klemesrud at 515-281-8653.

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