FWP Warns Western Montana Ice Fishing on Thin Ice

An abnormally warm February has led to dangerous lake conditions for ice fishing. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokeswoman Vivica Crowser says the public needs to be extra cautious.

"What we are seeing right now, with all of the weather we've had in the 40s, is that even in higher elevations like the Clearwater chain of lakes: Seeley, Salmon, Placid, that area, is that we have a layer of rain and snow adding extra pressure, making it even more unsafe than it would be otherwise," Crowser said.

There is no single resource for information about ice thickness on Montana lakes, so FWP is urging adventurous anglers to spread the word on the conditions they find.

"We are just wanting to warn people to make sure to check the ice conditions if you are still going out," Crowser said. "There are certainly places where they are not good and you wouldn't want to go anymore. You just want to make sure that you take it slowly, check the ice with an auger and talk to other fishermen before heading out there."

Crowser said that so far this year her office has not been notified of anyone falling through the ice.