The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding individuals who enjoy ice fishing to always use caution.

According to the DNR, the recommended thickness for an individual to be on the ice is at least four inches and for any all-terrain vehicles or snowmobiles, it is at least five inches. Conservation Officer Aaron Arthur advises ice fishers to take precautionary measures.

“Don’t think it’s safe, there’s no such thing as safe ice, and this is the time of year where we have people that venture out and they can try to think it’s going to happen this time of year when the ice is thin. So make sure you stay off the ice until it’s appropriate thickness to be on there.”

Other DNR recommendations include avoid off-colored snow or ice, blue-colored ice is usually safer than clear ice, don’t walk into areas of ice where the snow cover is discolored, and always let someone else know where you are going in case an emergency happens. Click here for additional information regarding ice fishing.