Warm Weather

[Seabass77]

I am looking to get everyone’s opinion on what they think may happen with the ice with this warm weather. I am particularly concerned with the metro area and south. I would venture a solid guess and say we are definitely not making ice, but what about losing ice? Will 4-5 days in the low to mid 40’s do any damage?

My guess is that we may loose a half inch but that would be about it? With the sun so low in the sky and the temps only really getting that warm for a few hours, I don’t think we should loose too much.

What do you think?

[Guest]

Dunno, but I am nervous just thinking about it.

Bush lake had 6 inches on Sunday. Hope it is till okay.

A good opportunity to learn, though - if I had time I would go measure the thickness everyday and the temp and see how they correlate.

ak

[Guest]

Not to fear.

6" of ice will most likely be minimumly effected by the low 40 degree highs.

Remember one thing. What melting does take place is from the top down. And since the ice isn't honeycombed, that water stays on top, and easily refreezes the same night. So the thickness isn't dramtically affected.

I have seen 3 inches of ice get hit by a 48 degree sunny day and made a trip out fishing that same afternoon. However, I don't recomend it with those conditions and 3" of ice, I was probably pretty foolish, and should have stayed on shore.

6" is a big difference
PCG

[metrojoe]

The sun angle is real low. I can't imagine much of the ice will melt at all.

If this were March I'd be concerned.

[Jarrod32]

Well, those real warm temps will hurt some places...but across central Minnesota (Detroit Lakes, Brainerd) the forecast is calling for highs in the mid-to-upper 30's, with lows in the mid-teens to the mid-20's. Given the shortness of the days, it is only above freezing for a few hours (maybe 11 AM to around 4 or 5 PM), and will be plenty cold overnight. I can't imagine there will be a net loss of ice. Too much melting during the day may make for some weak spots, however, so we may be relegated to ATV's and snowmobiles for while yet. Again, that's the central-to-northern part of the state. Those of you further south may have more issues.....

[Crawlerman]

They just upped the highs in the upper 40's now! It's 52 in South Dakota as we speak... this really stinks.... Gonna try to get out tonight at a pond by my house that's stocked by the DNR, not planning on catching anything but atleast I can say I was on early ice! This weather's supposed to hold till into next week It better get cold again before Christmas! "All I want for Christmas is an Artic blast..."

[Pig_sticka]

u dont want an artic blast, this is perfect fishing. dont need a house or heater. n the fish might get a good run going too.

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Good luck sticking pigs this year!

[Guest]

mother nature likes to tease us, early cold, then when its just about ready for full fledged ice fishing BEFORE X-mas she gives us a tropical heat wave!

[Steve Foss]

I'm with Pro Crappie Guide. Forties in the daytime may melt a bit on the top, but 20s at night will re-freeze what little bit thaws. I think it would take many days of 40/20 before 6-8 inches of ice gets in trouble.

Don't forget the spud bar!

[Guest]

I would assume that he means he wants an arctic blast to bring on the one thing that is essential for ice fishing: ICE.

[Guest]

I would agree that there probably isn't a lot of ice melt in most areas. On Buffalo most of the lake still has that dusting of snow visable on top, so there has not been any ice melt.

The places to watch are where there is a lot of water flow. If there is a stream or storm sewer dumping into the lake it can erode the ice very quickly. Also some of the narrows or channels on lakes could be kind of tricky because there is so much water flow going under the ice in those areas.

Like any time - use your head and be careful out there.

[Guest]

The ice is just fine. 6-7" of good clear solid ice today in the north metro where I fished. About a 1/16th of an inch of semi-melted snow/ice on the top, but other than that it was fine. The weather guessers were wrong once again, and caused a panic. If it ever got up to 40 today it was only for a second. Ice will be fine, get out there and fish.

Good Luck,
Rusty