Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office reminds anglers to please exercise extreme caution when venturing out on the water this winter season and remember that there really is no such thing as safe ice. “Water levels in reservoirs like Flaming Gorge are changing constantly,” shares the safety announcement. “Add to that subtle weather shifts that affect wind, freezing and thawing patterns, and the reality is that ice conditions can fluctuate drastically over short times and distances. Please be aware of recent weather conditions and scout the area you wish to fish, looking for overflow, wet areas and open water. Avoid pressure ridges, fissures and large emerging cracks in the ice.” One tip to remember is that clear ice is stronger than cloudy or white ice. White ice is not always stable and is generally much weaker than clear ice. For safe fishing, clear ice should be at least four inches thick, and anglers should take special efforts to check the thickness of the ice every 100 to 150 feet.
