Sitting here in CT looking at the webcams for my daily lake fix, it looks like the lake has taken on a weaker look than it did last week. Is this just wishful thinking, trick webcams or reality?

Reality
 

I would have to say reality, I was up this past weekend, and there were a lot of large cracks and no snow cover on the ice, also you could tell it was getting thin and breaking up, I would not be surprised that if the wind comes soon the ice will be moving out real quick.

One thing to note something I just really took notice of this weekend, despite all the times I head up there during the winter. The whole area just felt depressing with no green grass, no leaves on the trees, no flowers. Just everything about it screamed depressing, even hough Saturday was beautiful day. Also took note of how many store fronts were empty, not just closed for the winter, Memorial day will be interesting

Paugus Bay is starting to turn grey, and I'm sure the lake is not far behind.

It's Darker
 

The surface of the lake is definitely much darker than it was last week. The rain we got on Friday night and again yesterday was a big factor in this. It's drizzling here this morning as well.

Will from Cow Island
 

bark less and wag more little doggie official ice out will be april 18th at about noon.

Hello Will welcome to the forum my man!!! I had originally put the 27th as my guess but now it's looking like that will be a bit late. I'm calling for the 20th now! I'll see you Island side in no time!

I think my guess was the 20th as well. My local ice out indicator used to be 3 weeks. Last year, which was pretty warm in the weeks leading to ice out, it was 17 days. That indicator has just gone ice-free as of today, so I am going to revise my guess to Friday April 17. I know it doesn't count, except for bragging rights. :)

Ice out by April 9th or sooner
 

Water temp over the dam has been 37 for 3 days now. Ice out has occured within 12 days of the temp hitting 37 at the dam each of the last three years. With highs in the 50's, no freezing nights and 5 days of rain (and 5 days of sun) over the next 10 it's hard to think the ice has a chance. Once water hits 40 degrees the ice is history. Time to get those salmon!

26 days in 2007
 

In 2007 the temp hit 37 on the 28th of March. Ice out was April 23rd that year. I am hoping it will be sooner this year!!

This will be the 22nd time I get to witness ice out thru my living room window - lucky me! Looks to me like it will be gone by the 17th - in time for the birthday boatride on the 20th:)

In 2006 the lake temp was 37 degrees on the 28th of March and ice out was April 3rd. I prefer for ice out to be earlier than later. If you look at the weirs cam the ice is starting to look preety black and the ice Meredith was really retreating pretty well this past weekend.

Lilly Pond
 

How is the Lilly Pond doing? Isn't that the usual two week indicator?

Ice-out occurred today on Silver Lake here in Hollis. Lake Winnipesaukee's ice-out the past few years has been two weeks after that.

We can't wait to get back to the lake!!!

I was at the lake on Friday and Lily Pond was frozen and white. The lake looked much darker.

Salmon
 

As I understand it, salmon fishing is best 1 month after ice-out. Anyone want to confirm?:look:

Salmon
 

I believe most find it to be best from ice out till the water begins to warm to 50 at the surface. That is usually the first weeks of May. By June they are spawning and do not feed. I caught a few during the summer of good size. If you watch you will see some cheaters fishing by boat in Wolfboro and Alton on the cams. They will be right up against the edge of the receeding ice. Bet before the weekend you will see some small row boats on those cams fishing near the ice edge. Salmon are usually deep but will be at the surface or in the top 20 feet this time of the year looking for food. Lake trout will also be in shallow water for the same reason.

The difference I feel was that in 2008 the ice was nearly 3 feet thick and this year the ice was about 1.5 feet. It will definitely go out earlier than the 23rd. I guessed the 21st, so the bad news is I won't win but the good news is that I bet I can open the camp the weekend of the 17th - can't wait!

Little help from the wind one might be able to get out on a good part of the lake this weekend. Looks like the broads and meredith bay are about ready to give up

Very dark ice on the Weirscam today:

It wouldn't suprise me if we are now talking in days instead of weeks.

BT

Looking at the Lake Today
 

I took a ride today from the Weirs to Melvin Village to look at the ice. It is looking to me like Meredith Bay will open up in a few days. The ice around Center Harbor and Black Cat Island is looking very gray and there are large areas of water around all rocks.

Looking at the ice out a bit from our dock, it is starting to show the 'candles' that is the last stage of the melting process. With the binoculars, it looks like the gray areas in Weirs Bay are from 'candles'. I'll be listening for the telltale 'bells' ringing tonight. If they can be heard, it will confirm the 'candles'.

I am thinking that unless something strange happens, like an 'ice pile up' blocking the Mount's route, we should see ice out between April 10th and 15th. I guessed the 25th, so I was way off this year.

Get the boats and fishing gear ready!

R2B

I've been ready since last summer! :)

Up here in Plymouth we're finally getting rid of the snow. It's about time, because we've had it since the end of October-very early November. All that seems to be left are the huge snow piles that are now just snow bumps.

The Pemi river has also been free of ice for about a week and a half now.

Let's just cross our fingers and hope that we don't get one of those freak April nor'easters!

KTO

You just HAD to say that didn't you!!??!?! :eek:

Well if one comes along I am blaming you! :laugh:

Thanks for the posts
 

Thanks to all for taking the time to post updates on the lake. Like others, we're anxious to get to our corner of the lake, and it sounds like it will be sooner rather than later. And after this long winter, we're ready for, hopefully, a loong spring.
If someone is driving by 19 mile bay, hope you'll take the time to post its condition.

bilproject....Your are awesome man! Excellent call on the ice line fishermen. There were boats in Wolfeboro today. I thought of you and took this pic.
You must have ESP!

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...g?t=1238619462

First non-ice fishermen of 2009
 

At least they are fishing in Alton and Wolfboro. My salmon are safe for a few more days between Brown's and Bear Island. Hope Dave at Y Landing has my boat ready!!!

I drive by 19 mile everyday. The docks are opening up quite a bit and I noticed this morning coming in to Wolfeboro that the inlet from the wetlands on the other side of the road was opened up twice as much as it was when i went home last night. So it must be getting real thin. It was very dark gray ice yesterday as well. Little Ducky's were floating around in there this morning...:D

I'll stop and take a couple of cell phone pics on my way home today if it isn't raining...

Ice Out Coming
 

See Al Gore is correct the ICE CAP is melting! I guess the ice will be gone by the time of my first trip to the lake in June.

No Silver Sands cam this year -- I'm disappointed. That was always a great one for tracking the ice-out progress. Seeing as it's now 4/2 and it still ain't up, I'd venture a guess and say it's not coming.

Checking the progress on Ossipee's Broad Bay, you can see how quickly everything is melting. Big holes over the past few days, and apparently a large expanse of open water to the left of the Canoeking webcam's view.

Anyone with a digicam or phone passing by 20 Mile Bay any time soon?

Hey Grant...ask and you shall receive!!! I just heard from Barry Uicker at Silver Sands. The 2009 view of Saunders Bay is up and running. He apologizes for the delay this year.
I would like to publicly thank him for his efforts!!

http://www.nhboat.com/Nhboat/Feature...t_2009_ice.htm

Blue Thunder

YAHOO! Thanks to Barry. I was just wondering this morning where that cam was this year. I love that page!

Ice-Out Here We Come!
 

I too would like to extend many thanks to Barry Uicker at Silver Sands! The comparison shots of March 31st over the years is just great!

Ah -- how cool. Many thanks for the heads up. And thanks to Barry.

Love that view.

Thanks for taking the time to get this up and running, it is great to compare each day with prior years while we are wishing the ice away.

I looked forward to this every year, and had been checking the site everyday.
Thanks!

Quick pics off the 19 mile bay docks. Once again, sorry it was with my cell phone. These were taken at around 3:30pm on Thursday.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...g?t=1238764779

Looking over to the beach, you can see the inlet (Just barely) is starting to extend out...

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...g?t=1238764854

salmon
 

bilproject; good post about ice out fishing. actually the salmon fishing stays strong right through the summer, you just have to go deeper as the surface water warms. the salmon like mid 50's temp wise. for the first few weeks after ice out they (and lakers) will be at the surface chasing the smelt. the smelt are the ones getting ready to spawn, atlantic salmon spawn in the fall. but the landlocked on winni really do not spawn in the lake although their bodies do all the biological things towards a spawning run in the fall. it is wise to troll with larger baits in the spring (to match adult spawning smelt) and as the water warms, late june july and august, go to shorter baits which match the yoy smelt (young of the year) that have just been born from the sring spawn. i am not a biologist or science guy, but i've caught hundreds of salmon following these tendecies. good luck to and tight lines.

Thank you Barry!
 

That is funny, I e-mailed Barry yesterday too. He must have gotten a milion e-mails... Thanks again Barry!!!

Thanks -- good stuff. Can't wait to wet the lines in a few weeks.

19 Mile Bay
 

Thanks, Lakesrider. Phone pictures or not, they look great from here. Sure looks like 19 Mile Bay is opening up. Another week, maybe.

Let us know how it is progressing. Thanks.

Two More Degrees
 

The lake temperature hit 38 today... just two more degrees!!!!

IG