BANGOR, Maine (AP) Maine game wardens say ice fishermen should exercise caution this month and next despite the recent cold and snowy weather.

Parts of Maine are experiencing uncommonly early ice conditions. But the Bangor Daily News reports warden Jim Fahey says anglers should be especially cautious, and mindful of the rulebook.

Special rules apply to some lakes and ponds, meaning anglers need to look up the name of the body of water where they plan to fish beforehand in the state fishing rulebook.

It’s also important to make sure the ice is safe. Fahey says fishermen should not assume any iced-over body of water is automatically safe just because it’s frozen.

Some of the most popular ice fishing targets in Maine are landlocked salmon, lake trout and brook trout.