IRON MOUNTAIN — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds the public to make ice safety a priority when heading out for Free Fishing Weekend.

The DNR does not monitor local ice conditions or the thickness of the ice and urges anglers to practice safety during winter fishing activities.

Anglers this past week were reporting some small walleye catches, said Ken Dabb at Whisler Outdoors in Florence, Wis. “Everybody’s pleased with the ice conditions,” he added.

Thickness in some locations was up to 16 inches.

Today and Sunday, no fishing license or trout and salmon stamps are required in Wisconsin. Anglers can fish state waters where there is an open season. All other fishing regulations apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species.

The Homestead Aurora Conservation Club will host its annual Pete “Toad” Church Ice Fishing Derby today, open to all area waters. Participants can register catches until 7 tonight at the C & R Bar in Aurora, Wis.

Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club will host Tip-Up Town of the U.P. on Saturday, Feb. 5, at Sawyer Lake. Register for the fishing contest at Midtown Bait & Tackle in Channing, where Bob Kennard is stocked with both pike suckers and walleye suckers.

Anglers have been having good luck at Peavy Pond and Lake Ellen, Kennard said.

The Michigan DNR has temporarily suspended its weekly fishing report. Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan is Feb. 19 and 20.

The Wisconsin DNR on Friday urged the public to use caution on the Bay of Green Bay to avoid becoming stranded on free-floating sheets of ice.

Twice in less than a year, groups of 40 to more than 60 ice fishing enthusiasts have been rescued from large sheets of floating ice in the bay by emergency responders. There were no injuries in either event.

The Bay of Green Bay is about 120 miles long and 10 to 20 miles wide.

“Ice sections break free each year,” said DNR Marine Warden Gaven Brault. “The bay itself is a huge body of water. This is not like an inland lake. It never 100% freezes over with the ships going through and all the wind.”

The public should be aware of streams and rivers in the bay. Shallow areas caused by sandbars under the ice can cause instability.

Some additional safety tips when ice fishing:

— Dress in warm, water-resistant layers and pack an extra hat and gloves.

— Carry some basic safety gear: ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof bag or case and rope.

— Wear a life jacket or a float coat to help stay afloat and slow body heat loss.

— Make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return.

— Avoid inlets, outlets or narrows with currents that can thin the ice.

— Look for clear ice, which is generally stronger than ice with snow on it or bubbles in it.

— Watch out for pressure ridges or ice heaves. These can be dangerous due to thin ice and open water.

“Even during consistent cold stretches, pressure cracks in the ice can develop within hours,” said Lt. Skip Hagy, Michigan DNR law enforcement supervisor in Newberry. “There is no such thing as, ‘safe’ ice. Always check conditions for yourself, don’t rely on what you see others doing.”