Honeycomb ice

[SP180]

I keep hearing about it and wondering about it during late ice. I have even searched for it on the web finding nothing but descriptions of this dangerous type of ice. But i am a visual person...Does anyone have a good picture of an example of honeycomb ice? I have been out late ice and have been extremely nervous on 20+ inches of ice because i dont know what the HC ice looks like. Any pics would be great.

Thanks

[local boy]

unfortionatly u usualy dont see it till u step on it, then the fun really starts.

[alwaysonthemove]

well honeycomp ice is like when you pour water on it and the water disappears cause the ice is honeycomped on top usually the first 1-3 inches. Kinda like your ice cupe in your drink when it starts to melt SLOWLY.

[RebelSS]

SP180: As far as I know, there is no way to tell if you're on "Honeycomb" ice by looking at it. As you stated, this is almost always "late" ice, caused by warm day temps & cold night temps, with rapid refreezing. Snow cover can insulate and slow down the re-freezing, then a sunny day melting the snow followed by a cold night may cause air pockets resulting in "Honeycomb". Many factors such as natural springs, wind, air pockets, etc. can cause it. Something I believe EVERY person who ventures on the ice should do is go to the DNR homepage, and type in "Ice". Lots of intelligent information and even videos there to help keep people safe. Don't take chances. It's just not worth it.

[Ballyhoo]

It is always late ice and you can tell if you are standing on it. You can take the heel of your boot and actually dig into the ice. when you are drilling through with your auger, the ice will come out in long cubes, not shavings like normal. When it gets real late and the days are warm and the sun is out, be careful as when it is like that it can go bad in a day.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

First ice the ice is clear and solid. very smooth and slippery. By mid winter depending on snowfall and freezing and thawing the ice will be clear or possibly a milky color but is still solid. Late ice when the ice become 'honey combed' the majority of any snow left on the ice is gone it is no longer clear at all it seems to have a grey color as you look across, when drilling holes you'll get large chunks of ice to come up not just shavings. Ice can vary lake to lake and at different spots on the same lake but generally at late ice if the ice is solid up to the shoreline you should be good but once that ice begins pulling away a foot or two you should begin to be more cautious (not that you shouldnt always be...).

After a year or two you'll become more knowledgable but regardless I always have a PFD first and late ice, a rope and ice picks

[Gissert]

I post this link every year. While it does not have photos, it is an excellent article on the physics and dynamics of ice sheets and the loads they can carry.

http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/ierd/ice_safety/safety.html

[fishman31]

SP180

As stated before. It is the Ice that you look for at the end of the season with warm days where you can dig your boot into it. This is the time when I have fallen threw. If you are digging in. Drill a hole and check the thickness of solid ice below the layer that you scraped away. Also be careful of ice around the south side of islands and land masses at this time of year.

[SP180]

Thanks everyone for the info.

[bigbad401]

Hey SP180, do you live on GFAFB right now? I used to live there many years ago. My dad was in the Air Force and I spent five and half years up there. What lakes do you fish up there? Do you get to go to Devils Lake? Larimore Dam?

[SP180]

bigbad401,

Yes i live on the base. Spend time on Larimore. Not much last year since it was the dead sea, but have had good luck out there before. Devils lake is my main attraction. Will spend about 10-12 days this year on that lake. I also like the Diversion (coulies). Close and easy to get to. I will be moving back to St Francis next fall. So i will be back in your neck of the woods. From Fridley originally.

[iafish4fun]

It is always late ice and you can tell if you are standing on it. You can take the heel of your boot and actually dig into the ice. when you are drilling through with your auger, the ice will come out in long cubes, not shavings like normal. When it gets real late and the days are warm and the sun is out, be careful as when it is like that it can go bad in a day.

I think that this sums it up pretty good.