Assumption that warm snap doesn't affect ice much

[stick]

I have been pretty avidly into ice-fishing for the past 5 years or so. I have people (non-ice-fishermen) tell me I'm nuts to go on the ice after the prolonged unseasonably highs we've been experiencing. My theory is this:

Since we have a decent ice base (6" or so in the metro) with the unfortunate snow cover on top, I say that it would take warmer weather and strong sunlight to degrade the ice at all. The lake is a big heat-sink and it takes quite a bit of energy to sway the pendulum back the other direction. Plus, the snow on top would melt first and that hasn't even happened. About my only concern is when there is moving water. this includes water pushed up from below around cracks or water draining down through the ice from on top. This "toilet bowl" effect can degrade the ice.

Now I realize each body of water needs to be understood and there is no such thing as "safe ice", and I do err on the side of caution.

Can anybody chime in with your $0.02 and either dispute or confirm my theory? Thanks, Stick.

[JohnMickish]

Here is what I have noticed the last two days on some north metro ice. Two different lakes with 9" of ice, three of that being refrozen slushy/milky white junk. In the last couple of days I've seen the water move in the holes when you walk up to them and heard/felt the ice make weird noises and movements under my feet. I'm a 220 lb guy. I dont think it's unsafe, but I won't go out by myself right now-just for piece of mind.

[nitroant]

Well, first off, ice is never safe. That being said, I am still going out on the ice, however, its not just the ice and snow you have to worry about. All that water is running somewhere and in some cases its running into rivers, streams, and lakes. That water movement spells trouble for some ice. I am not saying the run off will end our season, but be very careful near shore, culverts, and stream/creek mouths. If we don't get some more ice soon is going to be an early open water season.

[Riverratpete]

yea yea yea we all know ice is never safe...the constant barrage of that comments enough to make everyone nuts. I and my mates have had this discussion many times and theres about a million opinions so I'll throw mine in. We had a very cold Dec with a GREAT ice set up, cold days/nights/low wind..best a person could ask for. Yes, we've had some warmer "air" temptures of late but people also have to remember that we have gone 15 days with little or no sun, also the angle of the sun is so low that its basically ineffective to do any damage to the ice...come March thats a diffrent story altogether. People need to use their heads for more than a hat rack when on the ice. Theres a million varibles also ie. inlets. outlets, open holes, run off, etc bottom line is the ice is ok for now but as we progress in the winter and the sun continues to get higher in the sky and if temps keep climbing the the situation can change pretty quick..this is 20 plus years ice fishing experience. All the "Chicken Littles" need to take a chill pill.

[stick]

Great post RiverRatPete. I'm with you. Don't sugar-coat it next time.

[rundrave]

Well said RiverRat!

The warm weather does not affect the integrity of the ice unless the highs are well above the normals (like say 60+ degrees) for this time of year.

Your right the sun is at a lower angle during the winter months, so the sun doesn't have the power that it has in the summer months. The warmer weather will melt the snow cover on the ice and will cause the top of the ice to melt a little, which will cause slush/water puddles on the ice but the strength is not harmed. The strength or the integrity of the ice comes from the lower layers.

[BDR]

Cold december? Not where I live. The ice is and has been very inconsistant. To tell someone that it is safe would be a mistake. Don't get me wrong here, I have been on the ice 4-5 times a week since thankgiving. But I have known the waters I have been on. And took some precautions.

The whole point is some people asking questions here are not that experienced on the ice or the lakes they want to go to. So to send them off without warning would be a mistake. I have not read one post saying "don't go out".

[Captain B.R.K]

Good point Brian about the fact that some people that read our posts figure they can just go out any where and start fishing. I don't think anyone here is going to say "Don't go out" and I'm not about to say it either.

BUT

For those inexperience ice anglers, you do need to take precautions. Especially if you are new to ice fishing or a new body of water.

[Worst Kid]

Novice ice-fisherman question. So I was out today and the ice was prolly 8" thick but all day I was hearing the ice "make noises." Sort of sounds like someone stepping on snow but you can feel it too sometimes. So is this normal or should i get the heck outta there?

[who are those guy]

I have never been on ice that doesnt make noise. But those sounds we normally hear seem a bit louder now. Yet my stuff is packed and I will be out tomorrow. Get busy fishin' or get busy dyin'.

[ironman]

The the short term warm up could potentially help ice developement. The temps prolly wont be enough to degrade much ice, but with the recent rain last night..I noticed just from when I started to when I left..it did its toll on the snow cover. Now the temps are alittle colder, below freezing finally, will refreeze the melted snow and new rain and be able to help build better ice. As we all prolly know, ice freezes bottom down. I learned that with alittle experiement at a Vikings tail gate party. Open a really cold bottle of you favorite barly pop and watch...yep watch...really fast top down. Pretty cool actually. But I digress, take care out there..just like driving..you can be the safest driver on the road, that doesn't mean the guy next to you is. Use experience and common sense we should all be able to enjoy this season. Ever have one of those pressure cracks happen right under you?! Happened right before my eyes...that'll get your blood pumping! Just a surface crack on no water along with it..but whooo! Be safe and good luck out there.

[Guest]

I have been commenting to people frequently on the quality of the ice. I havent found anywhere to fall through yet, but I'm not going to go out of my way to find it.

Some lakes the ice has stayed nearly stationary, or even slowly improving(Lake Calhoun for example). Other lakes(Lake of the Isles) that froze very early and had more snow really took some damage in that warm weather. Why Lake of the Isles in particular got so beat up I have no idea.. But I know of area there the ice is only 1/2 of what it was and it started all clear ice. Now the ice in some spot have no clear left, others have as much as 4" of clear under the frozen slush. There are no culverts or channels creating current in the areas in question. I learned a lot about what weather can do to ice this year.. I wish I knew the exact variables that caused the ice decay on Isles.

I havent told anyone to not go fishing, but I am advising everyone to be careful wherever you may go. I have been ice fishing for 20 years myself and I havent taken a swim yet over my knees.. If I can avoid it, I will. Most ice is holding up pretty good around the metro.

[Maker Of Shoe]

Hello all,

I was looking for some advice from some anglers. I took a job in Hutchinson MN for one year and am a hardcore ice fisherman. This recent talk of bad ice has me worried alittle bit since I dont know the area at all. Is there anyone out there that could give me some lakes that are decent for fishing around here as well as a ice report from this area. I havnt had the chanch to get out yet this year but I am bringing my gear back January 30th. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I fished Dog Lake this fall but no ice fishing yet!