Whether you're looking to do some ice-fishing on Clinton Lake or traveling on untreated roadways, local authorities are reminding all residents of the dangers ice can bring. 

Conservation Police Captain John Williamson says fisherman looking to get on the ice of area bodies of water need to be very careful this time of the year. He says while ice may look like it is thick enough, you need to make sure before you get too far away from the shore.

According to Capt. Williamson, central Illinois bodies of water are not going to freeze up or stay frozen quite like lakes and ponds in the northern parts of the midwest. With that in mind, he says measuring the thickness of the ice is a good idea before doing any sort of fishing or skating.

According to DNR Deputy Director, Rachel Torbert, the snow and ice will also bring out the snowmobiles. While not exceedingly popular, there are circumstances of tragic accidents involving snowmobiles and she is encouraging a safe approach when riding those. 

Capt. Williamson says if you are seeking out the thickness of ice in a particular area near you, your local authorities are likely not going to know the answer to those questions as ice and its thickness is not something they monitor daily, which is why he is encouraging caution and safety when embarking on an icy area.