On Thin Ice

Ice fishing season is dangerously close to being over in central Iowa.

This past week, central Iowa saw six straight days of ice loss and unfortunately, we've had several reports of fishermen going through thin ice.

I was out at a fishing spot yesterday to check the ice thickness. Temps were in the 40s, the edges were either open or pretty mushy and thin, but out on the ice the depth was still 6". Last week, the ice was 8" in that spot, and the current thickness lines up nicely with the expected ice loss of 1.5" to 3.5" from my blog "Ice Fishing Hanging on in Central Iowa".


Good news is in the chilly air today and tomorrow as colder Canadian temperatures dive southward. Average temperatures will be cold enough to re-enforce and maintain the current ice pack. Many locations will even grow some ice.

The pattern is changing after Monday. Colder temps will plunge down into Iowa and we will begin an active and cool pattern that could last through the end of the month.

Storm systems will line up and hit Iowa every 3-5 days. Each of these systems should swing in from the west and southwest bringing a brief warm-up, a chance of precip. and then 2-3 days of Canadian/Arctic cold.

Although any wind, rain, and above freezing temps may negatively impact the ice, the strength of the cold could keep ice fishing alive until March.

Good luck and stay safe!