Over at Iowa Central Community College, the student Fishing Club is taking advantage of the ice and will be hosting a pair of ice fishing tournaments over the next two weekends.

The first of the tournaments kicks off this morning at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area. The second tournament is next Saturday, Feb. 4, at Twinterfest at Twin Lakes.

The Twinterfest tournament starts at the south boat ramp at Twin Lakes. Registration will be from 7-10 a.m., with the tournament starting at 8 a.m. All fish must be turned in by 2 p.m.

Awards will be given for longest walleye, heaviest panfish, heaviest catfish and most number of yellow bass. Entry fee is $50 for each team of two.

Stay safe

When it comes to ice fishing, safety is the highest priority and stepping onto the ice is always a risk.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources publishes a weekly fishing report on its website, which includes ice conditions during the winter. The DNR’s recommendation is a minimum of four inches of clear ice for fishing and new ice is stronger than old ice. It’s also important to remember the thickness of one area of the lake may not be the same elsewhere.

“We see that a lot on these larger lakes,” Ben Wallace, Iowa DNR fisheries management biologist, who helps to manage public fishing waters in 12 counties including Webster County, previously told The Messenger. “They will have nice, good quality ice in one spot, but as you move across the lake you will find an area that is only a couple of inches thick, or the ice is very soft or weak.”

There could be a variety of factors causing those inconsistencies, so Wallace suggests stopping to drill a hole and checking the thickness of the ice as you travel to your ideal fishing spot.

“It is the responsibility of the angler to check the ice before they go out and check it often,” he said.

The DNR also warns that ice around submerged trees and emergent vegetation tends to be weaker.

Currently, at Brushy Creek, the ice is around 10 inches, according to Sone Chounthirath, faculty advisor for the Iowa Central Fishing Club.

In addition to being aware of the thickness and condition of the ice, there are other things an ice anglers can do to ensure their safety.

“There is some basic equipment you should take with you that can really help keep you safe and that are things like a life jacket or a float coat or suit; a rope or another floatation device and a set of ice picks – these would be if you were to fall through, you hold them in your hand and dig them into the ice to pull yourself out,” said Wallace. “Just do not go out alone. Go with somebody. Or, at the very least, tell somebody where you’re going and what time you plan to be back.”

The ideal times for ice fishing are around dawn and around dusk, Chounthirath said. The fish tend to be more active in the low light times.

Anglers 16 and over require a fishing license. Fishing licenses are available at most convenience stores and WalMart as well as online by visiting the Iowa DNR website and downloading the DNR app.