You will have at least one less thing to worry about if you plan on heading onto the ice of the Bay of Green Bay for fishing or other recreational activities. The U.S. Coast Guard announced over the weekend that it is closing the southern portion of the bay until further notice to allow for winter recreation.

The closure covers all waters southwest of a line extending between the Peshtigo Reef Lighthouse and the Sherwood Point Lighthouse. It comes days after the Coast Guard warned that people on the ice in the bays of Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay should still be cautious of icebreaking missions.

By closing that portion of the bay, the Coast Guard hopes the reduction in commercial traffic will lessen the risk for those who fish, snowmobile, or participate in other activities on the ice. The restriction will remain in place as long as ice is present.

A recent stretch of subzero temperatures has helped area bodies of water build up ice depth. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, ice anglers on the east shore of Green Bay near Red River and Bayshore Park have been fishing on top of 12 to 14 inches of ice, comparable to conditions in Little Sturgeon Bay and Sawyer Harbor.