DNR

Now, the Iowa DNR is warning of the dangers of thin ice as temperatures have warmed dramatically.

Andrew Kiel, a conservation officer with the Iowa DNR said that the melting ice can be very deceiving and just because an area of ice was good to fish on yesterday, a week ago , doesn’t mean it’s safe.

“There’s a number of reasons, we have a number of factors here locally, especially on this water body, South Sabula Lake,” Sgt. Kiel said. “There’s a couple of things here locally including underwater springs that are active, that keeps the ice from being safe, solid. As far as the temperature swings, yeah.. we’ve had a 70 degree temperature swing.”

The man fell through the ice on the South Sabula Lake around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

First responders used a blowup rescue boat to slide across the ice and bring the two fishermen back to safety.

This rescue mission isn’t the first Jackson County responders have had so far this year either. There have been two, none of which have resulted in a fatality.