Warmer weather early in the winter raised concerns that ice on Iowa’s rivers and lakes would not be strong enough for ice fishing. That has turned around to where the Department of Natural Resources is concerned conditions could make it tough on the fish to survive in the water. Fisheries Biologist, Mike Hawkins in Spirit Lake says oxygen levels in the water are a worry.
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Hawkins says there is no way to pull that lid of snow and ice off the top of the lake.
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Hawkins says the D-N-R monitors oxygen levels at lakes across the state and winterkill is from time to time part of the natural cycle. He says fish species in these lakes have evolved and their populations usually rebound very quickly in those situations.