Warm Weather Causing Unpredictable Conditions

CITY OF AMES

Unseasonably warm weather is creating unstable conditions for ice throughout central Iowa. As the above-average temperatures continue, residents are reminded that formerly frozen water such as , Moore Memorial Park Pond, local rivers and streams, golf course water hazards, and local detention ponds may be in various stages of melting.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers of walking on ponds, rivers, or lakes that are in the process of thawing.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported Tuesday in a news release that there is no longer quality of ice in central and southern Iowa for ice fishing, and anglers should head north to ice fish for the remainder of the winter.

“We had quality ice in central Iowa as recently as Saturday, but the warming trend has ruined the ice in central and southern Iowa. Ice fishing around here is no longer an option,” said Ben Dodd, fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in the Boone office.

Ice fishing options improve on lakes north of U.S. Highway 20, but anglers are encouraged to use caution even in northern Iowa.