Ice Conditions

Hamiltony · 02-19-2014, 06:09 PM

Anyone been out recently? Heading up this weekend and wondering if there are any trouble spots on the ice to avoid, and how the snow is.

ITD · 02-19-2014, 10:00 PM

I think you will be very pleased with both the ice conditions and snow conditions. What I've seen of the lake is that all of the normally safe spots are good, at least around Moultonboro. As usual, be careful, hopefully someone will chime in from near your area.

snowflake · 02-20-2014, 07:40 AM

Look like big snow piles at Wolfeboro docks. How much snow did they get? I enjoy watching all the Lake webcams and seeing all the ice fishing activity. Miss live stream in Alton Bay. Also love pictures of winter on the Winnipesaukee sight. We have about a foot of snow on the ground in my town outside of Boston. Thanks for sharing winter at the Lake.

riverat · 02-20-2014, 07:56 AM

Alton Bay area
Plenty of ice and too much snow, 4 wheelers pretty much useless, but snowmobiles will get you around. 18+" in palces with 6" of slush around edges.

Island-Ho · 02-20-2014, 11:24 AM

What's the lake ice going to be like this weekend after a warm-up and rain? Can we expect slush under a little snow?

MeredithMan · 02-20-2014, 11:25 AM

I was up there this past weekend ice fishing. In the Meredith Bay area, almost knee deep of snow on top of the ice, and then over a foot of ice, under that. Challenging to trudge through the snow on foot, lugging gear. Saw plenty of snowmobiles on the lake, but no 4-wheelers...too much snow for them to get around, I would guess. Hope that helps.

MM

magicrobotmonkey · 02-20-2014, 01:26 PM

I've been getting out on winnisquam a couple times a day and I can confirm that it's already getting slushy under the snow before the warmup even starts. So yea, I'd expect it to get pretty gross out there by the weekend.

HellRaZoR004 · 02-24-2014, 10:36 AM

I heard the south end of Winnisquam Lake opened up (perhaps the increased flow of the Winnipesaukee River). Someone indicated a couple sleds may have gone through?

Be careful out there.

Toyorelle · 02-24-2014, 01:28 PM

Here is a picture of the sled being taken out on Sunday morning on Winnisquam. Apparently it was two parents on their own sleds and the younger child behind went through. I hear she was ok.

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riverat · 02-24-2014, 05:19 PM

Lots of water under the snow right now, 4-8" but is starting to firm up with cold overnight temps. The ramp area is a mess, a large puddle in the vehicle path leading away from the ramp that does not get a chance to freeze because people keep driving through it.

JB Long Island · 02-26-2014, 09:32 PM

Last weekend all that slush made moving the bob house around impossible. Assuming this cold snap has solidified the surface, but was looking for an update on whether it has frozen through or if there is still a slush layer there ? Any first hand info would be most appreciated.
JB LongIsland

BoBo · 02-27-2014, 07:33 AM

Hey there, Were up in Meredith Bay and the recent melt has froze right up. Was out there last night and the lake was making lots of noise (ice growth). The 8 inches of water under my bobhouse has froze up solid with no water in there.

JB Long Island · 02-28-2014, 07:10 AM

Thanks a lot - from a fellow fisherman !
Hoping to hear that was the case - last weekend was nasty !
Tight lines and stay warm !
JB

riverat · 02-28-2014, 07:53 AM

Frozen Solid, no slush or loose snow. Very hard surface and very thick. 2 days ago I drilled through 4" packed hard snow into 3" ice and than 3" water and than into 20" of ice. Now I am sure it is solid from top to bottom. My gas-powered auger was about 2" from bottoming out when it broke through.
Surface is pretty bumpy from frozen ruts and such.

JB Long Island · 02-28-2014, 10:54 AM

Great - is the hard pack surface solid enough to drive a car on ?

Winnilifer · 02-28-2014, 12:16 PM

Does anyone know where that sled went through (On Winnisquam) last weekend? Only place I see a problem is near mosquito bridge and southern end of lake.

Toyorelle · 02-28-2014, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winnilifer

Does anyone know where that sled went through (On Winnisquam) last weekend? Only place I see a problem is near mosquito bridge and southern end of lake.

It was about 300 yards off shore of the Winnisquam Beach resort launch ramp

sum-r breeze · 03-06-2014, 06:06 PM

WOO HOO!!! If you look REAL close at the left side of the frame about 3/4 of the way through the time lapse you can see the humble beginnings of ICE OUT 2014! I see it....really I do...it's there.

Oh I need some relief from this cold in the worst way and the cam gave me a little hope today. I hear on WMUR that we are headed for single digits again tonight, so the lake giveth and the lake taketh away.

I need to be sitting on the Breeze in front of the swim line at Silver Sands real soon or I'm going to need a padded room!! Bring on ICE OUT!!!!

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

BlackCatIslander · 03-08-2014, 01:22 PM

While we will have some more cold weather, I would guess that the ice thickness is at its maximum now. Has anyone measured the thickness recently?

sluggo · 03-08-2014, 02:09 PM

I have drilled holes from 26 to 32 inches thick this past week. Black cat Island out by three mile is one of the places I was so its going to be a long time till ice out !

CoastalWx · 03-10-2014, 09:27 PM

The long range is rather chilly through early April. Seems like a good bet we have an ice out post 4/18 or so unless we really warm up in April.

MDoug · 03-11-2014, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoastalWx

The long range is rather chilly through early April. Seems like a good bet we have an ice out post 4/18 or so unless we really warm up in April.

Do you mean 5/18??

riverat · 03-11-2014, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDoug

Do you mean 5/18??

that is more probable

sluggo · 03-11-2014, 09:18 AM

The way the season is going I will say ice out will be at the end of April or the begging of May. We took the truck from Center Harbor to Alton Bay across the lake Saturday ! first time I've done that in years.

MDoug · 03-11-2014, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sluggo

The way the season is going I will say ice out will be at the end of April or the begging of May. We took the truck from Center Harbor to Alton Bay across the lake Saturday ! first time I've done that in years.

Wow! We may have to delay our flight to MHT this year.

meredith weekender · 03-11-2014, 01:11 PM

From the looks of what I am seeing on my webcams it appears that the ice is retreating slowly. Will try and post a couple of pics later today.

meredith weekender · 03-11-2014, 01:17 PM

Attached are pics taken on 03/07 and another taken today 03/11

Janet · 03-11-2014, 02:03 PM

I love the "think Spring" sign and daffodils on the Island Princess Cam. Wish they were real daffodils.

meredith weekender · 03-26-2014, 12:33 PM

Just checked the Lakeport Dam Data Phone and found out that the lake temp is now at 36 degrees. Seems that we may be headed in the right direction.

Descant · 03-26-2014, 03:45 PM

But, according to today's Union Leader, Dave Emerson hasn't seen the retreat yet. Climate warming, climate cooling, climate change?

IslandRadio · 03-26-2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet

I love the "think Spring" sign and daffodils on the Island Princess Cam. Wish they were real daffodils.

Yeah, someone sneaked up to the island and put the flowers and the sign up where they could be seen

It was not us - have never been to the island during the winter. It is funny.

02-19-2014, 06:09 PM	#1
Hamiltony Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cape Cod (but Bear Island when I'm in NH) Posts: 12 Thanks: 25 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ice Conditions Anyone been out recently? Heading up this weekend and wondering if there are any trouble spots on the ice to avoid, and how the snow is.

02-20-2014, 07:40 AM	#3
snowflake Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 157 Thanks: 1 Thanked 24 Times in 20 Posts	snow Look like big snow piles at Wolfeboro docks. How much snow did they get? I enjoy watching all the Lake webcams and seeing all the ice fishing activity. Miss live stream in Alton Bay. Also love pictures of winter on the Winnipesaukee sight. We have about a foot of snow on the ground in my town outside of Boston. Thanks for sharing winter at the Lake.

02-20-2014, 07:56 AM	#4
riverat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 722 Thanks: 337 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Alton Bay area Plenty of ice and too much snow, 4 wheelers pretty much useless, but snowmobiles will get you around. 18+" in palces with 6" of slush around edges. __________________ Waking up in the morning is the greatest, everything after that is a bonus

02-20-2014, 11:24 AM	#5
Island-Ho Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 178 Thanks: 21 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	This Weekend? What's the lake ice going to be like this weekend after a warm-up and rain? Can we expect slush under a little snow?

02-20-2014, 11:25 AM	#6
MeredithMan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bedford, NH; Meredith, NH Posts: 979 Thanks: 263 Thanked 823 Times in 340 Posts	Ice conditions I was up there this past weekend ice fishing. In the Meredith Bay area, almost knee deep of snow on top of the ice, and then over a foot of ice, under that. Challenging to trudge through the snow on foot, lugging gear. Saw plenty of snowmobiles on the lake, but no 4-wheelers...too much snow for them to get around, I would guess. Hope that helps. MM

02-19-2014, 10:00 PM	#2
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,941 Thanks: 481 Thanked 699 Times in 390 Posts	I think you will be very pleased with both the ice conditions and snow conditions. What I've seen of the lake is that all of the normally safe spots are good, at least around Moultonboro. As usual, be careful, hopefully someone will chime in from near your area.

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Hamiltony (02-20-2014)

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02-20-2014, 01:26 PM	#7
magicrobotmonkey Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 160 Thanks: 42 Thanked 44 Times in 31 Posts	I've been getting out on winnisquam a couple times a day and I can confirm that it's already getting slushy under the snow before the warmup even starts. So yea, I'd expect it to get pretty gross out there by the weekend.

02-24-2014, 10:36 AM	#8
HellRaZoR004 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Litchfield/Gilford Posts: 828 Thanks: 233 Thanked 224 Times in 131 Posts	I heard the south end of Winnisquam Lake opened up (perhaps the increased flow of the Winnipesaukee River). Someone indicated a couple sleds may have gone through? Be careful out there.

02-24-2014, 01:28 PM	#9
Toyorelle Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dracut / West Alton Posts: 37 Thanks: 12 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Here is a picture of the sled being taken out on Sunday morning on Winnisquam. Apparently it was two parents on their own sleds and the younger child behind went through. I hear she was ok.

02-24-2014, 05:19 PM	#10
riverat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 722 Thanks: 337 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Alton Bay Lots of water under the snow right now, 4-8" but is starting to firm up with cold overnight temps. The ramp area is a mess, a large puddle in the vehicle path leading away from the ramp that does not get a chance to freeze because people keep driving through it. __________________ Waking up in the morning is the greatest, everything after that is a bonus

02-26-2014, 09:32 PM	#11
JB Long Island Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 29 Thanks: 8 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Ice surface solid yet? Last weekend all that slush made moving the bob house around impossible. Assuming this cold snap has solidified the surface, but was looking for an update on whether it has frozen through or if there is still a slush layer there ? Any first hand info would be most appreciated. JB LongIsland

02-27-2014, 07:33 AM	#12
BoBo Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chichester,NH Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	Hey there, Were up in Meredith Bay and the recent melt has froze right up. Was out there last night and the lake was making lots of noise (ice growth). The 8 inches of water under my bobhouse has froze up solid with no water in there.

02-28-2014, 07:10 AM	#13
JB Long Island Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 29 Thanks: 8 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks a lot - from a fellow fisherman ! Hoping to hear that was the case - last weekend was nasty ! Tight lines and stay warm ! JB

02-28-2014, 07:53 AM	#14
riverat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 722 Thanks: 337 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Alton Bay Frozen Solid, no slush or loose snow. Very hard surface and very thick. 2 days ago I drilled through 4" packed hard snow into 3" ice and than 3" water and than into 20" of ice. Now I am sure it is solid from top to bottom. My gas-powered auger was about 2" from bottoming out when it broke through. Surface is pretty bumpy from frozen ruts and such. __________________ Waking up in the morning is the greatest, everything after that is a bonus

02-28-2014, 10:54 AM	#15
JB Long Island Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 29 Thanks: 8 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Great - is the hard pack surface solid enough to drive a car on ?

02-28-2014, 12:16 PM	#16
Winnilifer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tyngsborough, Ma & Laconia, NH Posts: 53 Thanks: 14 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	Sled pulled from winnisquam last Sunday morning? Does anyone know where that sled went through (On Winnisquam) last weekend? Only place I see a problem is near mosquito bridge and southern end of lake.

03-06-2014, 06:06 PM	#18
sum-r breeze Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Burlington Ma / Laconia NH Posts: 396 Thanks: 155 Thanked 201 Times in 97 Posts	Check out the time lapse on the Weirs cam!!! WOO HOO!!! If you look REAL close at the left side of the frame about 3/4 of the way through the time lapse you can see the humble beginnings of ICE OUT 2014! I see it....really I do...it's there. Oh I need some relief from this cold in the worst way and the cam gave me a little hope today. I hear on WMUR that we are headed for single digits again tonight, so the lake giveth and the lake taketh away. I need to be sitting on the Breeze in front of the swim line at Silver Sands real soon or I'm going to need a padded room!! Bring on ICE OUT!!!! The Breeze Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

03-08-2014, 01:22 PM	#19
BlackCatIslander Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 201 Thanks: 52 Thanked 17 Times in 11 Posts	How thick is the ice? While we will have some more cold weather, I would guess that the ice thickness is at its maximum now. Has anyone measured the thickness recently?

03-08-2014, 02:09 PM	#20
sluggo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 170 Thanks: 13 Thanked 70 Times in 43 Posts	I have drilled holes from 26 to 32 inches thick this past week. Black cat Island out by three mile is one of the places I was so its going to be a long time till ice out !

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BlackCatIslander (03-10-2014)

03-10-2014, 09:27 PM	#21
CoastalWx Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	The long range is rather chilly through early April. Seems like a good bet we have an ice out post 4/18 or so unless we really warm up in April.

03-11-2014, 09:18 AM	#24
sluggo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 170 Thanks: 13 Thanked 70 Times in 43 Posts	The way the season is going I will say ice out will be at the end of April or the begging of May. We took the truck from Center Harbor to Alton Bay across the lake Saturday ! first time I've done that in years.

03-11-2014, 01:11 PM	#26
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 84 Times in 57 Posts	From the looks of what I am seeing on my webcams it appears that the ice is retreating slowly. Will try and post a couple of pics later today.

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MDoug (03-11-2014)

03-11-2014, 01:17 PM	#27
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 84 Times in 57 Posts	Attached are pics taken on 03/07 and another taken today 03/11 Attached Images

03-11-2014, 02:03 PM	#28
Janet Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 470 Thanks: 234 Thanked 134 Times in 91 Posts	I love the "think Spring" sign and daffodils on the Island Princess Cam. Wish they were real daffodils.

03-26-2014, 12:33 PM	#29
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 84 Times in 57 Posts	Just checked the Lakeport Dam Data Phone and found out that the lake temp is now at 36 degrees. Seems that we may be headed in the right direction.

03-26-2014, 03:45 PM	#30
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,476 Thanks: 1,387 Thanked 1,667 Times in 1,086 Posts	Retreating is good. But, according to today's Union Leader, Dave Emerson hasn't seen the retreat yet. Climate warming, climate cooling, climate change?