Ice fishing is getting under way throughout the Siouxland area.

There is not better time than right now to pursue fish under the ice. "First ice is best ice" is a maxim that certainly holds true.

Some of the best ice fishing of the year will occur within the first couple of weeks of safe ice.

And that brings us to one of the most important factors of ice fishing: Safety. Every year many anglers throughout the upper Midwest lose their lives by falling through the ice. For that reason it is important to be very knowledgeable about ice conditions.

If I had to rate the most dangerous water in our area, I"d put farm ponds at the top of the list.

Logically, it seems these small bodies of water should be safest because they are small and freeze over earlier than our lakes do. Problem is farm ponds often contain springs which can cause thin ice (or even open water) in several areas of the pond. It is important to use great caution when fishing ponds.

Rivers can also be placed in the "dangerous" category. Current will keep ice thin so take care in current areas such as outside bends of these streams. Riffles or necked down areas can also be dangerous.

It"s always best to fish with a buddy anytime you are on ice which could be considered unsafe. And, remember this, there is really no such thing as completely safe ice.

The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department offers the following ice fishing safety tips.

-- Four inches of clear, solid ice is usually safe for ice fishing.

-- Five inches of the same kind of ice is usually safe for snowmobiling.

-- Eight to 12 inches is usually safe for vehicles to be on ice, but driving should be avoided whenever possible. Traveling in a vehicle on ice, especially early or late in the season, can be dangerous.

-- New ice is usually stronger than old ice. As ice ages, the bond between the crystals makes it more dangerous and weaker even if melting has not occurred.

-- Wind speeds influence ice formation. Light winds speed up the formation. Strong winds force water from beneath the ice and can decay the edges of the ice.

-- Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong. It can also insulate it to keep it from freezing. When ice is covered by snow, greater precautions need to be taken to determine ice thickness before starting any activity. Snow can also hide cracked or weak ice and open water areas.

-- Slush is a danger sign. Slush indicates that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom. Slush also indicates weak or deteriorated ice.

-- Ice can change with the surrounding climate conditions. Temperature, precipitation, wind speed, ice age and water depth and water quality are all factors that affect ice strength and thickness.

-- If possible, one person should never check ice or attempt to rescue an ice victim because of the possibility of quickly going from rescuer to victim.

-- Individuals should wear a flotation device and carry ice picks when on questionable ice. They should carry ice picks whenever on ice, as they may never know when they may need them to pull themselves out. Everyone should have a set. Two short lengths of broom handle or dowel with sharpened nails in one end and joined with a piece of string can be easily carried in a pocket.

-- Before going onto ice, check with a local bait shop, resort owner or local angler to check on areas of thin ice or open water.

-- If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry. Unbuckle your seat belt and have a simple plan of action in case your vehicle breaks through. Some safety experts recommend the doors be left ajar and windows down for ease of exit.

Something else to consider, the South Dakota GF&P notes, is auto insurance. Will your insurance policy covers a loss through the ice? Will the policy pay for the salvage through the ice? Do you have $2,000 or $3,000 handy to pay for the cost of removing your vehicle from the icy lake? Is your banker going to forgive your auto loan if your vehicle is at the bottom of the river? These are all good questions that should be asked and answered before anyone drives out on the ice.

Larry Myhre is outdoor editor of the Journal. Reach him at (712) 276-5965 or email: lfentfish@msn.com