BY Nebraska Game and Parks Commission | December 24, 2020 Jared Lorensen, fisheries biologist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, uses a spud bar to check ice conditions before heading out with his ice-fishing equipment. (Nebraskaland Magazaine/NGPC) LINCOLN, Neb. — Catching fish through the ice can be a fun way to spend a winter day. Winter days are shorter, so any time spent outdoors is a bonus. But with ice-fishing, safety always should come first. It always starts with ice thickness. When is the ice thick enough to go out for some ice-fishing? It depends. One thing is certain: It’s more fun when fishing with a friend. From a safety standpoint, it’s especially smart when ice-fishing.