Ice fisherman have been on and off Lake Red Rock over the last several weeks as temperatures have dropped. However with the predicted stretch of warm weather, and the general variance in temperatures this winter, ice safety is something to keep in mind. Eric Hoffman, a Conservation Officer with the Iowa DNR tells KNIA/KRLS News that there needs to be at least 4 inches of clear ice, or upwards of 6 inches for cloudy or hazy ice before you think about walking onto it. Hoffman says that the haze is caused by ice layering, from the repeated thaws and freezes, and that makes ice weaker. He says that he has taken measurements at several locations on the lake, and hasn’t seen anything thicker then 4 inches of cloudy ice, and so does not recommend going out onto the ice currently. He says that if you do go out onto the ice when its at safe thicknesses, you should let someone know where you will be, and when you will be back. If you are with someone who falls through the ice, do not approach the opening, call 911 for help and attempt to throw something to pull them out of the water from a distance.

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