DES MOINES, Iowa — The up and down temperatures have led to lots of freezing and thawing across central Iowa. If you’re planning to head out to ice fish or ice skate, there are a few tips you can follow to stay safe.

The Iowa DNR recommends at least four inches of solid ice to walk and stand on. Eight to twelve inches is best for any machinery. It’s best to check ice thickness every 20 feet or so. Joe Larsheid, Fisheries Bureau Chief of the Iowa DNR, says ice may crack initially when stepped on, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will shatter.

The Iowa DNR explains that new ice is usually better than older ice. Ice on moving bodies of water, near rocks, shorelines, and under bridges can also be less safe. If temperatures are more moderate and it’s a sunny day, it will also be less safe to be on the ice.

Larsheid especially appreciates ice fishing because it levels the playing field in a sense — you don’t need a boat to go fishing. He says it’s a sport everyone should try!

For more information on ice fishing safety and fishing conditions, like the fishing report, visit the Iowa DNR’s website.