Whether you’re ice fishing, snowmobiling or skating, it might be time to get off the ice.

Spring is just around the corner, and some of Maine’s lakes and ponds have already begun to thaw, creating a thin and potentially dangerous surface.

According to Maine Warden Service, you should check where you are going to ensure it is at least four to six inches thick for walking. And if you don’t know, don’t go.

“We don’t want to get that call that someone’s gone through the ice,” said Maine Game Warden Jordan Perry. “A potential death could result in the case of going through the ice. So always just make sure you check the ice and stay safe being out there.”

Perry said ice can be unpredictable, with potentially vast changes in depth between any two areas.

“You could have spots in some places that are 12 inches,” said Perry. “Then you could move 20 feet in one direction, and it could be two inches another way too.”

And those with ice fishing shacks may want to consider bringing them in, if they haven't already.

“This time of year, when the ice is starting to become unsafe, ice shacks will start going through in some places,” said Perry. “Places with a lot of spring holes where the ice is also starting to become thin in places, ice shacks will go through, as well.” 

He also said to be wary of rocks on the ice.

“When the sun gets higher and you have exposed rocks on the ice, the rocks will hold that heat in, and it will warm the water up around the ice, making that unsafe,” said Perry.

Wardens say you should avoid open water, tell someone where you’re going and always bring ice safety picks in case you fall through.

And while some secluded bodies of water may still appear to have thick ice, Perry said you should confirm the depth using the appropriate tools.

“I would still bring a chisel, an ice auger or an axe,” said Perry.

Color can also be a useful indicator for the safety of ice, but it is never a guarantee, according to maine.gov.

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website, ice is never 100% safe. 

Additionally, MDIFW does not recommend driving passenger cars or trucks on the ice.

Visit their webpage on ice safety for thickness guidelines and other information.