How's the ice

Allen S Thompson · 01-18-2015, 08:33 AM

thin from cattle landing to bear is,then good ice to jolly,mink air boat goes anywhere ice or not

Mink Islander · 01-18-2015, 10:47 AM

Ice is usually thin between the town docks and Dolly Island this time of year. Ice eaters create expanded open water off the Dolly Island boat house and a couple of houses on the opposite side on Meredith Neck do the same. Add to that Cattle Landing is sort of a "pinch point" between two larger sections of the lake and thus creates a natural place for two large ice plates to work against each other -- often an ice ridge through that general area as a result.

From the town docks to the North side of Mink, normally the ONLY area of concern is that area off the Dolly boat house. Stay in the middle. Test the ice frequently if on foot. Keep up your speed on sleds/atvs. Look for evidence that others have gone before you (on foot/sled/atv).

With luck, in a a week or so, that area will be more fully locked in. This is still early in a typical year for me to be venturing through there and I won't get out til that last weekend of the January unfortunately.

In bad years to avoid that section of ice, I have gone straight across towards Bear Island and then snuck around behind/around Dolly Island. Some portaging required and there are ice eaters back there too so be aware.

Bearguy · 01-18-2015, 11:36 AM

Sage advice from that Minkislander veteran. Do not listen at your own peril.

RLW · 01-18-2015, 11:43 AM

Allen S Thompson, I was just browsing through the forum and 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.

Bearguy · 01-18-2015, 06:59 PM

I new to posting on the board but have been around the lake for many decades.

Idylltimer · 01-22-2015, 11:15 AM

I Would like to go ice fishing out of cattle landing . Any new ice information
for that area would be great help

fatlazyless · 01-24-2015, 08:31 AM

Yesterday afternoon, Friday, saw a lone ice blade sailboat sail past FL-3 going north, and it was moving along over all that smooth ice pretty good. It looked about the same size as a twelve foot sailboat with a white sail and could have been going from Gilford to Center Harbor......maybe?

01-18-2015, 08:33 AM	#1
Allen S Thompson Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ice thin from cattle landing to bear is,then good ice to jolly,mink air boat goes anywhere ice or not

01-18-2015, 10:47 AM	#2
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Cattle Landing Ice is usually thin between the town docks and Dolly Island this time of year. Ice eaters create expanded open water off the Dolly Island boat house and a couple of houses on the opposite side on Meredith Neck do the same. Add to that Cattle Landing is sort of a "pinch point" between two larger sections of the lake and thus creates a natural place for two large ice plates to work against each other -- often an ice ridge through that general area as a result. From the town docks to the North side of Mink, normally the ONLY area of concern is that area off the Dolly boat house. Stay in the middle. Test the ice frequently if on foot. Keep up your speed on sleds/atvs. Look for evidence that others have gone before you (on foot/sled/atv). With luck, in a a week or so, that area will be more fully locked in. This is still early in a typical year for me to be venturing through there and I won't get out til that last weekend of the January unfortunately. In bad years to avoid that section of ice, I have gone straight across towards Bear Island and then snuck around behind/around Dolly Island. Some portaging required and there are ice eaters back there too so be aware.

01-18-2015, 11:36 AM	#3
Bearguy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 1 Post	Bear/Cattle landing area Sage advice from that Minkislander veteran. Do not listen at your own peril.

01-18-2015, 11:43 AM	#4
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	*Allen S Thompson,* I was just browsing through the forum and 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. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

01-18-2015, 06:59 PM	#5
Bearguy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 1 Post	Thanks for the welcome I new to posting on the board but have been around the lake for many decades.

01-22-2015, 11:15 AM	#6
Idylltimer Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Ice conditions Cattle to Bear I Would like to go ice fishing out of cattle landing . Any new ice information for that area would be great help

01-24-2015, 08:31 AM	#7
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,853 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 303 Thanked 1,037 Times in 756 Posts	... ice boat sailing Yesterday afternoon, Friday, saw a lone ice blade sailboat sail past FL-3 going north, and it was moving along over all that smooth ice pretty good. It looked about the same size as a twelve foot sailboat with a white sail and could have been going from Gilford to Center Harbor......maybe?