Ice-In 2012-13

[Resident 2B]

Looking at the weather forecasts and knowing what we need to form the initial skim of ice, it really does not look that good. We need cold temps and no wind to form the initial skim coat of ice. We will have the cold temps the next five days, but we will have more wind than is ideal. Thursday night looks like the best bet for ice to form, but it gets windy again for the weekend.

It looks to me like the snow tonight will be in the 3 to 5 inch range around the lake. It looks like less up north. This snow will cool the surface water which is good. My concern is it will also form an insulating layer over the ice that still holds in the bays, potentially making that ice relatively poor quality the rest of the season.

I wish the news was better, but right now it is not great. Still a lot of winter to come, but we are at the halfway point of meteorological winter, December, January and February, and what we have is not what we usually have.

R2B

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

Looking at the weather forecasts and knowing what we need to form the initial skim of ice, it really does not look that good. We need cold temps and no wind to form the initial skim coat of ice. We will have the cold temps the next five days, but we will have more wind than is ideal. Thursday night looks like the best bet for ice to form, but it gets windy again for the weekend.

It looks to me like the snow tonight will be in the 3 to 5 inch range around the lake. It looks like less up north. This snow will cool the surface water which is good. My concern is it will also form an insulating layer over the ice that still holds in the bays, potentially making that ice relatively poor quality the rest of the season.

I wish the news was better, but right now it is not great. Still a lot of winter to come, but we are at the halfway point of meteorological winter, December, January and February, and what we have is not what we usually have.

R2B

Nearly all of the long range guidance is progging tremendous cold beginning next week. Do you (as a fellow weather follower) not see this?

BT

[JMR]

The photo taken by friend, who launched a pontoon boat from Ames Farm, but due to wind did not go around to the Broad side. But Snakeeyes does not show ice in Broads

[Belmont Resident]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Nearly all of the long range guidance is progging tremendous cold beginning next week. Do you (as a fellow weather follower) not see this?

BT

Hopefully it also brings some big snowfall as well. I just had the transfer case rebuilt and a new turbo put in my plow truck.

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Nearly all of the long range guidance is progging tremendous cold beginning next week. Do you (as a fellow weather follower) not see this?

BT

As stated, I was only looking out five days, that is through Sunday. It could get very cold after that, but I was not looking at that timeframe.

R2B

[hilltopper]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Nearly all of the long range guidance is progging tremendous cold beginning next week. Do you (as a fellow weather follower) not see this?

BT

Temperature-wise, from what I see, we will have an average to below average stretch for about 8 days (1/21ish to 1/28ish) after which we go above average again. This is from looking at a few different forecasts.

Disclaimer: I don't trust any Winter forecasts beyond the 72 hour time range...

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

My concern is it will also form an insulating layer over the ice that still holds in the bays, potentially making that ice relatively poor quality the rest of the season.
R2B

Fresh layer of snow...probably not helping with the ice-in process.

[Resident 2B]

Well it is certainly cold now, will warm up a bit tomorrow, then get very cold for next week. However, for the next five days the wind looks to be up and ice does not form on open water when the wind is blowing.

We need a big, fat high pressure system to sit over us for a night or two to get the ice going. I just do not see one out there willing to do this in the next week.

I wish the news was better.

R2B

[ITD]

First bob house on Meredith by the boat launch, didn't venture on the ice myself.

[Bear Island South]

The rinks are starting to take shape in Meredith Bay...nice stretch of cold weather coming to help out.
Picture is from a post by Lakeside Deli on Facebook.

[winnipiseogee]

Originally Posted by Bear Island South

The rinks are starting to take shape in Meredith Bay...nice stretch of cold weather coming to help out.
Picture is from a post by Lakeside Deli on Facebook.

Love to see it!! Nothing like that hockey tournament happening on the bay!

[Mink Islander]

Wondering what the channel between Mark and Bear is looking like these days. Weather permitting I may venture out next weekend.

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Wondering what the channel between Mark and Bear is looking like these days. Weather permitting I may venture out next weekend.

It looks like open water on the north end of Mark Is., still too early you need a report from FLL on the Cattle to Bear area.

[BlackCatIslander]

Yesterday was a great day for skiing although a wee bit on the chilly side. The visibility was remarkable. We couldn't remember when so much of the lake was wide open at this time in January.

[Mink Islander]

Originally Posted by Bear Island South

It looks like open water on the north end of Mark Is., still too early you need a report from FLL on the Cattle to Bear area.

Will be interesting to see how quickly things change this week with the very cold weather. I'm sure FLL will keep us informed. Wondering whether the ice boat is chewing up things at Cattle Landing as well.

[oldflounder]

Center Harbor iced in as far as the eye can see - 3 or 4 small huts on the ice near shore - many individuals on the ice fishing with tubs.
S. Paugus Bay iced in - several individuals on the ice pulling tubs.
Ahern Park/Winnisquam - no ice as far as the eye can see - rough open water.
Other small ponds in the area all iced up but no huts.
Meredith bay - still only the Derby's hut - lots of open water around the docks/circulators.

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Wondering whether the ice boat is chewing up things at Cattle Landing as well.

We caught a ride to the island back on New Years Eve with Island Services, we were told they will be working on the east side of Bear and Little Bear this winter. Cattle should be in good shape.

[hilltopper]

Originally Posted by oldflounder

Center Harbor iced in as far as the eye can see - 3 or 4 small huts on the ice near shore - many individuals on the ice fishing with tubs.
S. Paugus Bay iced in - several individuals on the ice pulling tubs.
Ahern Park/Winnisquam - no ice as far as the eye can see - rough open water.
Other small ponds in the area all iced up but no huts.
Meredith bay - still only the Derby's hut - lots of open water around the docks/circulators.

Meredith Bay this morning - Two bobhouses and 1 truck on the ice (along with about 20 skating rinks).

[ishoot308]

When I woke up this morning I looked out over the lake to see a lot of ice formations in the broads. 20 minutes later the wind picked up and all the ice was gone!

With the wild winds we have coming today I think we are going to lose a lot of the shore ice that just recently formed all along Belknap point and Ellacoya State Park area.

[meredith weekender]

The winds are really picking up and th open water area is growing this afternoon. Even with the cold coming, it's going be tough o freeze over the open water.

[MAXUM]

Ice Report 1/20/2013

Vantage point from Sheps looking towards Bear Island. Ice was locked in well between Sheps south to Cattle landing (pic from there to follow)

Dark areas between pine and bear island are frozen over but with no snow it looks from the pics like open water, however it is black ice.

I would say that the ice "looked" good enough to walk out on all the way to bear but there is no good ice along the immediate shore near sheps to get out on yet. The access point way over near the beach over by the docks was not very well covered, just skimmed a bit. After this week I got to believe it will be plenty thick to walk out on possibly enough to hold a sled.

[MAXUM]

First looking to the north, second straight across third to the south. This is the southern break point for the main sheet of ice between the mainland and bear. To the south was open water. the leading edge of the ice was black and freshly formed. Looking beyond the leading edge of the ice between bear and timber can be seen The area between bear, timber and governor's islands all open water.

[MAXUM]

First pic from Y-Landing looking south towards Bear and across at Pine. That channel was open water.

The last two end of Meredith bay and the ice rinks. Quite a few folks out there enjoying the rinks, and more bob houses have shown up, sleds and ATVs tooling around but not very far out. One guy took a pickup out there, not sure how thick the ice is but for what it's worth the truck was not in the drink!

[MAXUM]

From Governor's Island bridge, first looking north, the next south, then the last looking south from just before the bridge. Most of the area south of the GI bridge is either open water, or has a skim that had water on it, either way whatever ice was there was newly formed and hard to see. Beyond there all open water. From Eagle Island to Governors, over to Timber and on south all open water. From Glendale out to welch and beyond all open water. Broads all open water.

[MAXUM]

Fianlly ended the day in Alton Bay which is frozen all the way out to the opening to the broads. Did some ice fishing by the band stand, good 12" of ice and lots of bob houses out there.

As a bonus, a couple of pics of these "wicked cool" ducks, they were hanging around Shep but the blasted things were awful skiddish cause I couldn't sneak up on them enough to get a good close up, but they are really pretty. I don't have a fancy lens for my camera so these were as close as I could get. They would take off every time I made a move to get a wee bit closer. Buggers!

That's it for pics, cold weather should really firm up what ice is there, everything that is still open, who the heck knows.

[Bear Island South]

Maxum,

Thanks for that great ice report, as the saying goes "a picture is worth a thousand words".
I nominate you as the official ice reporter.

[MAXUM]

Well if the truth be told I had the keys to my camp in my pocket hoping there was a chance I could safely cross. I have no doubt the ice between BI and the mainland north of Cattle landing and south of Sheps would be fine to walk across, but where to access to the shore in that area? Being on the NE side of Bear that's a pretty good hike to get out there but I would have!

I was also attempting to scope out where I could park the truck and trailer for an overnighter as well as unload the sleds and get on the ice. I got stuff I need to move out over the ice and hmm not sure where a good starting point will be.

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

I was also attempting to scope out where I could park the truck and trailer for an overnighter as well as unload the sleds and get on the ice. I got stuff I need to move out over the ice and hmm not sure where a good starting point will be.

If you are going NE Bear, I would use Shep Browns. When the ice is good you can access from the landing that is past the Showroom building, should be far enough away from the docks and bubblers.

Good Luck! We are hoping to get over the first weekend of Feburary.

[Webbsatwinni]

We stopped by the lake on the way back from a snowmobiling trip up north, we drove around and although we see it on the web cams, we were surprised by the lack ice from the shore at Ames Farms to Rattlesnake.

Made me want to take the boat out.

[magicrobotmonkey]

Took a couple shots of the broads from Lockes Hill in gilford this afternoon. Definitely wide open, but you can see the bays all locked up in the background.

https://plus.google.com/u/1/11449969...ts/4NFQC8YWN5c

[fatlazyless]

As of 5-pm today, Monday, Jan 21, the area between Gov-Timber-Mark-Bear-Cattle Landing-Horse and Meredith Neck is all open water for now. On Saturday there had been a areas of newly formed ice that extended out from the shore for maybe 100-yards but the winds on Sunday minimilized the ice back to water.

Is the water temperature at the Lakeport Dam still a relatively warm 36-degrees?

[BoulderBronco]

Tonight is the night. Whole lake frozen by tomorrow morning.

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by BoulderBronco

Tonight is the night. Whole lake frozen by tomorrow morning.

I wish you were right, but the wind is now back. Forecast calls for wind until at least Thursday night. It is cold, but the wind is ruling the lake right now.

R2B

[BoBo]

Dropped off bobhouse Sunday. Fished last night but did not go far out. 6" in cove but not willing to go up to Plum Island yet.

[Webbsatwinni]

ig, are those old pics posted? What a difference a day makes.

[Island Girl]

Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Click on the image for the huge version

[rsmlp]

last post I see is dated about a week ago. i suspect with this weeks frigid temps ice in a far more likely prospect?

[Mink Islander]

And it was great to see the Broads locked in over night!

After last winter, it's good to see us back to a "typical" ice in timeline again.

[ishoot308]

Looks like she locked up around Welch last night as well!!

[MAXUM]

Is it time for the official ice out thread to begin?

[RLW]

Originally Posted by BoBo

Dropped off bobhouse Sunday. Fished last night but did not go far out. 6" in cove but not willing to go up to Plum Island yet.

BoBo, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. It will not be to long that you will be able to move the house anywhere on the lake to drop your line, ya something trolling in ya boat. LOL

[Slickcraft]

Looking out from the summit this morning it appeared to all be iced over. There were some areas darker than others like east of Welch so we can't be sure.

If not today then tomorrow morning for sure but we don't plan to ride the lift up tomorrow.

[welchislandman]

Cove skimmed overnight

[Blue Thunder]

looks very promising......as is the case more often than not, Sebago Lake (to the right) remains wide open.

BT

[RANGER CANOE CO]

Being the "warmest summer" on record. Is this "ice in" later than usual ?

Thx's

[JB Long Island]

Looks like the skim ice from last night is holding up even with the wind today- and with the deep freeze are we finally good to go now ?
Currious what the ice-in experts have to say !

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by JB Long Island

Looks like the skim ice from last night is holding up even with the wind today- and with the deep freeze are we finally good to go now ?
Currious what the ice-in experts have to say !

Well I'm no expert but I would certainly say this is it!! I would consider today as ICE IN 2013!!

Dan

[Island Girl]

I think we are in.... but need to see pics from Lincoln Park and Wolfeboro Neck to be sure... I am not the official caller... though I did not know we had one for ice-in as there is no official definition as there is for ice-out.

My definition is that there is enough ice to hold in the wind and a minor rain storm. The cold for the next few days should thicken things up a bit more.

IG

[Sal]

I just drove north on Rt. 11 and, from the "scenic view", there is no open water visible. Looks like it's "IN".

[nightrider]

I was ice fishing Sunday on the east shore of winter harbor opposite the mouth of the bay to the broads. The wind was blowing strong from the west. I was on 4" of decent ice. The ice extended from where I was out to about 3/4of the way to the mouth of the bay and it was wide open from there about 6 miles to the other side of the lake. Early in the day, a very small area on water at the very edge of the shore where I was fishing was moving slightly as the energy from the waves a half mile away traveled under the ice and reached the shore. As the day progressed, and the wind strengthened, and the waves reached 3 or 4 feet as they crashed into the edge of the ice from the broads, the ice where I was fishing had to be moving up and down at least 3 or 4 inches (maybe more) from the wave energy traveling under the ice. Close to shore, the ice began to develop cracks from the undulating waves. My bait bucket in two feet of water, suspended from a line about 3 feet above the ice, was moving in the water about a foot back and forth in the water. Water would be pouring through the cracks as the underwater wave came in and it would just as quickly drain away as the wave receded. I never fished or went beyond 5' of water depth, by the way, just in case. I called it a day at half time of the first game. All in all it was an interesting day on the ice. As I found out Monday morning, the ice continued to crack into large ice floes well past where I was fishing, but amazingly enough, my bait bucket and the limb in the ice from which it was suspended, was intact in the center of one of the ice floes. Everything froze together hard Sunday night and Monday was another great day of fishing. Caught a nice rainbow in dark colors Sunday and another still in bright summer colors yesterday. The green Shanty launch will be done this Saturday. Stop by and say hello to the Nightrider if you're in the neighborhood. There may be a cold beverage in it for you.

[Resident 2B]

Although I am very surprised that the lake locked up last night given the wind, it did. In addition, with the wind during the day yesterday, the ice held. It looks like the whole lake is frozen and with the very cold weather, we should have great, black ice everywhere.

In a few days, with the forecasted cold weather, it should become very safe. Much better result than I thought, but I am very happy I was wrong. Currently at 1 AM, it is 3 degrees near the Weirs and the ice is loudly "talking". This means it is getting thinker, quickly. Sounds great to me!

Enjoy winter while it is here. Be safe out there!

R2B

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

I think we are in.... but need to see pics from Lincoln Park and Wolfeboro Neck to be sure... I am not the official caller... though I did not know we had one for ice-in as there is no official definition as there is for ice-out.

My definition is that there is enough ice to hold in the wind and a minor rain storm. The cold for the next few days should thicken things up a bit more.

IG

I think you are right IG. Good day for Dave Emerson to take a ride....

[Belmont Resident]

Cause I'm gettin sick and tired of reading about all the complaints from the ice fishermen.
Now all we need is a snowstorm or blizzard and everyone will be happy.

Before I get hammered, I WAS just joking!

[CampChaos]

Just wanted to thank all of you who are going out and keeping everyone updated! I have a camp on Bear and have over 20 ppl coming in from all over for the fishing derby now that we have ice!!

After a disappointing last year with the hockey tournament being relocated and winni not freezing in time for the derby, it is a great to see the lake back on track and bring in the much needed revenue to the state!

If the temp continues to stay low, I am planning on walking out from Shep Browns to deep cove where my camp is this weekend. I will bring my auger with me and test every 50 or so feet. Will let you know how much ice we have.

[ishoot308]

Massive open water again happened last night around Welch. Not sure how the heck that happened with the thermometer reading 8 below zero!! Sheeesh will this lake ever freeze!!!

[ITD]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Massive open water again happened last night around Welch. Not sure how the heck that happened with the thermometer reading 8 below zero!! Sheeesh will this lake ever freeze!!!

If ice in doesn't happen soon, they won't have time to build the ice hotel this year.

[upthesaukee]

...Wind

[Bear Island South]

Is this the same open water seen here that Ishoot is seeing from Welch?

[Island Girl]

That picture has a date of Jan. 13. Is that accurate?

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

That picture has a date of Jan. 13. Is that accurate?

23 JAN 13...I believe is JAN 23, 2013

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

That picture has a date of Jan. 13. Is that accurate?

^^ what he said.

[Island Girl]

I read it wrong, Thanks. It is difficult to see in the image, but I think you may be correct. An image from Lincoln Park and Glendale docks would help. Also no wind would really help.

IG

[Bear Island South]

The picture is from Gunstock Acres Cam, picture from yesterday shows ice.

Amazing that it opened up with below zero temps.

[ishoot308]

It appears that this is the normal section of open water that is always last to freeze on the lake even after the broads. This section would be in front of Belknap Point / Lincoln Park area and extend all the way out to Welch. The Glendale dock area is completely frozen well past Lockes island so a picture there would not help as this area can't be seen from there. A pic from Lincoln Park would show it clearly.

Dan

[brk-lnt]

Sorry guys, I accidentally dropped a Hot Pocket in the lake by the Glendale docks yesterday. Anyone who has ever eaten a Hot Pocket knows that they initially have the stored heat capacity of a small nuclear reaction, which is immediately released once you break the outer crust. That must've been what caused the ice to melt. Fortunately, it should cool down in about 72 hours and then the ice might re-form.

My apologies.

[fatlazyless]

I just called 527-0071 for the Lakeport Dam NH-DES recorded lake data daily 7:15-am report and it said that the water temperature is 35-degrees ..... and doesn't it need to be a water temperature of 34-degrees at the dam to usually have ice-in happen....if I recall correct. Wind, water temperature, sun's daily exposure and whatever all adds up for an ice-in or ice-out.....hey how's about that Lake Sebago about one hours drive to the east in Maine and how that looks to be all open water....so why is that....Maine winters have a reputation for being long and cooold?

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

I just called 527-0071 for the Lakeport Dam NH-DES recorded lake data daily 7:15-am report and it said that the water temperature is 35-degrees ..... and doesn't it need to be a water temperature of 34-degrees at the dam to usually have ice-in happen....if I recall correct. Wind, water temperature, sun's daily exposure and whatever all adds up for an ice-in or ice-out.....hey how's about that Lake Sebago about one hours drive to the east in Maine and how that looks to be all open water....so why is that....Maine winters have a reputation for being long and cooold?

Sebago is very deep and as a result holds more heat. I almost never freezes other than in bays and coves.

R2B

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

Sebago is very deep and as a result holds more heat. I almost never freezes other than in bays and coves.

R2B

Since I would be the resident Sebago expert here, I will say this....while Sebago is very deep in places (200-315 ft) the reason it doesn't freeze is strictly due to the fact that the wind almost never stops. The water is certainly cold enough and with temps at 0 last night and a projected low of 10 below tonight, unless the forecasted breeze of west wind 3-8 mph tonight doesn't happen there will be open water tomorrow morning. Hard to believe....but it does freeze completely about 50% of the time.

Edit: this morning's sunrise webcam shot..-4 degrees and no ice.

[ishoot308]

Still have open water this morning!!

[Belmont Resident]

I'd thought from some of the replies that the whole lake locked in.
It looks like a big part of it has not.

[Island Girl]

Ugh! that is not what I was hoping for. What direction are you facing? What are we looking at? I am trying to picture what is open water, from Welch's to where?

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Bear Island South

Is this the same open water seen here that Ishoot is seeing from Welch?

Is this shot from a web cam? Can you share the url? Great shot!

[upthesaukee]

IG, earlier in this thread, or another one, Ishoot308 said it looks toward Locke's Island and Belknap Point..

Just happened to remember that.

[Island Girl]

Thanks Uppy,

So now the question is the open area just on that end of Welch's? Anyone, anyone..... any retired people willing to take a ride to Gilford to take some pics for us. Lincoln Park has a great view of Welch's and the lake on the west and south sides on the island. (pardon if I get the navigation wrong)

A pic from Ames Farm would also be nice... Come on folks, it is a lovely day for a ride with your camera.

IG, who is 2 hours away and needing a lake fix!

[upthesaukee]

It is -5, up from -6 overnight, and feels like -17!!!!!

[Island Girl]

Good day to read, in front of the wood stove..... I, on the other hand, am sitting in my office at work staring at four screens and a to-do list a mile long. I point and click for a living!

The webcams are on one screen, refreshing every few minutes.... my lifeline.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Ugh! that is not what I was hoping for. What direction are you facing? What are we looking at? I am trying to picture what is open water, from Welch's to where?

The camera faces West. Here this will help...

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Thanks Uppy,

So now the question is the open area just on that end of Welch's? Anyone, anyone..... any retired people willing to take a ride to Gilford to take some pics for us. Lincoln Park has a great view of Welch's and the lake on the west and south sides on the island. (pardon if I get the navigation wrong)

A pic from Ames Farm would also be nice... Come on folks, it is a lovely day for a ride with your camera.

IG, who is 2 hours away and needing a lake fix!

I'll stop at Lincoln Park early afternoon, after it warms up to above zero.

[KarmaGirl]

Pics from Broadview Condos this am looking toward Welch.

[Bear Island South]

Originally Posted by mcdude

Is this shot from a web cam? Can you share the url? Great shot!

Looks like a good section still open...here is the link, it can also be found on the Weirs Cam site.

http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/erikas/2/show.html

Also, see the Modis site, from yesterday it looks like open water extends from Welch Is. over to Long Is.

http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/...4.143.250m.jpg

[Island Girl]

This is great. It shows the extent of the open water around Welch's. It appears that the Broads itself is iced over.

The satellite image is deceiving. It is hard to tell if the dark areas are black ice or open water.

Is anyone here from Wolfeboro Neck or the broadside of Tuftonboro. It would be great to have cams, or at least pictures from there.

Again thanks to those posting pictures of the lake that the cams so not cover.

IG

[Slickcraft]

Looking between Welch and Round and then back toward ishoot308's web cam.

[Island Girl]

Does the open water go much further to the right of your lower picture?

Thanks so much for posting.

IG

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Does the open water go much further to the right of your lower picture?

Thanks so much for posting.

IG

That open water patch goes a little way further, you can see the end in KarmaGirl's 2nd photo.

Also there is a thinner strip of open water arcing from near Ellacoya to the southern tip of Welch, partially visible in KarmaGirl's 2nd photo.

[Island-Ho]

It sure would be nice to have a web cam with that view! Keep us posted as to when that hole closes up!

[Resident 2B]

The stronger winds look to go away during the day on Friday. The cold will moderate some, but the conditions to freeze the open water will be better than they have been starting Friday night through Monday night. We have the cold, we just need to get rid of these winds. With most of the open areas locked up, I think the rest will be locked up by Monday or Tuesday.

Where there is ice, it is growing. You can hear the cracking sounds coming down Meredith Bay at night.

R2B

[Mink Islander]

So FLL, seeing any activity through/around Cattle Landing yet? Have you ventured out onto the ice yet to test it's thickness? Still planning a trip up on Saturday morning to check things out. Expectations are that I should have plenty of ice by then (but will be cutting holes as I go!) just to be sure.

I would love to hear from anyone with reports on that area.

Minkislander

[ishoot308]

No ice gain I can see all day! The wind must really be whippin'.

Dan

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

So FLL, seeing any activity through/around Cattle Landing yet? Have you ventured out onto the ice yet to test it's thickness? Still planning a trip up on Saturday morning to check things out. Expectations are that I should have plenty of ice by then (but will be cutting holes as I go!) just to be sure.

I would love to hear from anyone with reports on that area.

Minkislander

I plan to do the same thing, crossing between Sheps over to Bear Island on Saturday morning on foot. Gonna have an ice auger with us just to be sure, we'll drill holes as well but I can tell you that at least that ice was looking real good on Sunday (see pics I posted earlier) so it's no doubt good to go now. Cattle landing was still open water from there looking out towards Timber and Governor's Island so whatever ice is there is new as of Monday.

[Idylltimer]

I was at Cattle today, all iced in as far as you can see from the dock, excluding the bubbler. It was open water a few days ago looking towards Govenor's Island, but looking towards Pine, it was all ice.

[RLW]

Idylltimer, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. Thanks kindly or the input regarding new ice locations.

[jess1234]

Any pictures of Welch Island Area open water?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by jess1234

Any pictures of Welch Island Area open water?

Here ya go!...

[Dhuberty24]

There must be an anti-freeze spring there.

[SteveA]

Pictures from yesterday morning 1-24-13, and today 1-25-13. Both taken from Big Pier.

Yesterday looking toward Diamond and Rattlesnake at sunrise



Today looking toward Diamond at sunrise. Looks like the overnight NW wind is piling up any ice that tries to form.

[crowsnest]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Here ya go!...

Are you sure your bubbler is in the right place
You need to move it closer to your dock !

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by crowsnest

Are you sure your bubbler is in the right place
You need to move it closer to your dock !

Good idea.. let's blame Dan!

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by crowsnest

Are you sure your bubbler is in the right place
You need to move it closer to your dock !

Most likely, the 4x6" wood posts are attached to the dock but don't extend down to the lake bottom, and the dock is held up by horizontal logs that are set inside the stone breakwater, so there's no need for an ice-eater water circulator. And, the stone breakwater has an angled outer face designed to deflect a moving ice sheet that can weigh a hell of a lot.

At zero degrees it sure seems like the ice is much stronger and much harder to break with an ice chopper than it is at say 25-degrees. With colder temperatures, the ice gets stronger and stronger? .....just my two cents from chopping the lake ice around a dock...

What that breakwater needs is a small hot tub, like a $4500 Jetsetter from Energysavers, on top of the stones down at the end! That would be a dynamite spot for a hot tub! ..

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Most likely, the 4x6" wood posts are attached to the dock but don't extend down to the lake bottom, and the dock is held up by horizontal logs that are set inside the stone breakwater, so there's no need for an ice-eater water circulator. And, the stone breakwater has an angled outer face designed to deflect a moving ice sheet that can weigh a hell of a lot.

Nope, those 4" x 6" posts go right to the bottom and have been that way for many years without issues. No bubbler system either. I do have some large round telephone type poles horizontally that take the weight of the dock also.

[NHgirl]

Tonight might be it. Low 4 with winds light and variable.