With the weather getting above freezing levels and the going below again making it take longer for the lakes and rivers to freeze. Fire Chief, Dale Feser explains, "So when we are looking at ice fishing season, people wanting to start fishing and people wanting to get out there on the ice as well with ski-doos and whatnot, there’s definitely some rules of thumb that you want to take into consideration before you go on the ice. This is something that was shared by the Lifesaving Society, 7 cm or 3 inches or less you definitely want to stay off because the ice has been properly formed, the structure to support the weight of a person right down to the weight of a pet. This includes pets you want to make sure to try and keep them off there as well because there is wildlife that periodically falls victim to this as well so you want to make sure to stay off. Right around the 4 inches mark or 10 cm is when it’s safe for ice fishing or walking on the ice or cross-country skiing but definitely no motor vehicle of any size at that time."

"Right around the 12 cm or 5 inch thickness is good for small vehicle such as a snowmobile or ATV so you could start some of those sports or tobogganing and what not, but you don’t want to put any full-sized motor vehicles on there such as a small car or pick up until there's at least 8 to 12 inches of ice or 20 to 30 cm is when it's definitely safe and we’re looking at a small pick up were looking at one of the small series or quarter ton truck. So your average half-ton or 3-quarter ton or heavy-duty size vehicle you want at least 12 to 15 inches of thickness before you wander out there on the ice. Again you wanna be aware of your surroundings as well, there’s definitely a learning curve when it comes to driving on the ice and it does create a wave along the ice surface."

Feser also asks that you make sure you’re also looking out for rotten spots or spots that may have not been frozen.