LINCOLN, Neb. - Many anglers across Nebraska brave the cold each winter to try their hand at ice fishing. 

Daryl Bauer of Nebraska Game and Parks fisheries tells News Channel Nebraska, he sees ice fishing as a way to fish year round, while also getting out of the house in the dog days of winter. 

"I think it's a great way to get out of the house and beat the cabin fever," Bauer said. "I think it's just a great way to catch fish and a different experience."

However, with recent unseasonably warm conditions for much of the state the season could soon wrap up. On January 11, two separate ice fishing accidents occurred in western Nebraska. One happened at Lake Maloley when an ATV broke through the ice. The other occurred at Cottonwood-Steverson in Cherry County when another ATV broke through the ice. 

While no injuries were reported, that's not always the case for many. Bauer says safety comes first and to always check ice near the shoreline, where it tends to be thinnest, before heading out. 

"If it's a little shaky at the shoreline, you probably don't wan't to go any further," Bauer said. "I strike the ice with a spud bar before I head out to see how hard it is, how thick it is, then I make a whole and actually measure the thickness of the ice."

If weather cools off once again, or ice remains safe near your location and you want to give ice fishing a try, Bauer reccomends attending one of Game and Parks' ice fishing clinics or reaching out to an experienced ice fisherman.