We came up to our home in Gilford last night. From our deck I have a complete view of the lake from Lockes Island to Diamond Island and everything in betweeen. I would post pictures but my internet service has yet to be installed and I am working off an air card which is pretty useless for pics.
The largest section of open water is still in front of Welch and it's huge! (See Below) There is another smaller section of open water between Ellacoya and the East end of Welch, very near where the deepest section of the lake is. There is another rather large open section of water in front of Lake Shore Park that extends in a Northwesterly direction. There are also a couple of small open water spots in front of the beach by ellacoya and believe it or not there is a bob house adjacent to one of these open water spots!
I have confirmed 5" of ice in front of the Glendale docks last night. I do not know yet how far out it stays safe but will find out when I am out there today.
In all the years I have fished the lake I do not remember a year where the lake froze like this. It is very dangerous and has massive variations in ice thickness and can change instantly under your feet. The bays can have as much as 14" and open water can be a couple hundred yards away.
I post these reports in the hopes people venturing out on the ice will think and constantly check for thickness as they go out and not just simply venture out aimlessly because they see others out there.
Please be safe!!
Dan