DNR: Ice conditions good, but anglers still need to use caution

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reporting good ice conditions on most Minnesota lakes with nine inches of ice or more in many locations. That is considered thick enough to support a vehicle.

However, the DNR's Tim Smalley says anglers need to beware of widely varying ice thickness on some lakes, especially in the Brainerd area.

"The lake ice is varying anywhere from three to 15 inches. So you've got a foot difference almost on the same lake depending on where you're at," says Smalley. "It's just really, really spotty conditions."

Smalley says ice thickness varies widely because some lakes were covered with snow, and it kept them from freezing as much as lakes that had less snow.

Four inch thick ice is considered safe to walk on. Five inches is needed to support a snowmobile or ATV, and eight inches or more is needed to support vehicles.

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