Official 2018-2019 Ice-in Thread

[fatlazyless]

Today's January 17 Laconia Daily Sun has a report that a 62-year old Tilton man drowned in the Winnipesaukee River, sometime between Monday, January 7 to January 11. His body was found at the Clement Dam in Tilton on Friday, January 11.

So, what happened? Seems like what happened will never be known?

You know, I mean, how did he end up in the river, drowned?

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Today's January 17 Laconia Daily Sun has a report that a 62-year old Tilton man drowned in the Winnipesaukee River, sometime between Monday, January 7 to January 11. His body was found at the Clement Dam in Tilton on Friday, January 11.

So, what happened? Seems like what happened will never be known?

You know, I mean, how did he end up in the river, drowned?

Dave

[CaptT820]

Does anyone create any type of ice map every year of the lake depicting thicknesses? We've owned our place on Sleeper for 3 years now and haven't ventured out in the winter, but I really want to. I obviously want to make sure the route I take is more than sufficient for travel by snowshoe. My wife is extremely nervous, so any additional backup information such as data on ice thickness would help my cause.

Thanks

[fatlazyless]

With regard to the Winnipesaukee River, it is entirely possible the flow is very slow, and the river has iced over, or partially frozen along the sides, so someone could walk out onto the frozen river for fishing or something?

Good way to educate yourself about the ice is to drill holes with a hand-held ice auger. Something like an Eskimo brand 6" diameter, costs about $50: when sharp it easily goes through the ice as thick as up to 18", plus is much less weight than a gasoline auger. You make a measuring tool with either a wood ruler or yardstick, and attach a short corner angle to the ruler, so it can measure the drilled hole by hooking onto the bottom of the hole.

It takes about 45-seconds to drill through five inches of ice with a hand-held 6" diameter auger.

What is really nerve racking is drilling a hole, and immediately seeing the ice to be only 2" thick ..... oopsie .... that was a big scary surprise! Ice is much stronger after a couple days of deep freeze temps, and also loses strength with warmer temps.

It sort of turns an ice trip into an expedition or a learning experience or something.

Plus drilling the holes show you the quality, and condition of the ice, plus when returning, you follow the holes back to shore .... and wonder ...... so, why I do this winter ice walk anyway ..... is just a lot of ice, floating top the 34-degree, icy cold, lake water. Most people do it once or twice, just to do it?

[Sundancer320]

Originally Posted by CaptT820

Does anyone create any type of ice map every year of the lake depicting thicknesses? We've owned our place on Sleeper for 3 years now and haven't ventured out in the winter, but I really want to. I obviously want to make sure the route I take is more than sufficient for travel by snowshoe. My wife is extremely nervous, so any additional backup information such as data on ice thickness would help my cause.

Thanks

That would be a great idea....I want to do the same, walk out to our place near Pier 19 but wife is freaked out!

[upthesaukee]

There is to much variation in ice thickness around the lake to make such a map. Thickness varies due to temperatures, and currents around the lake.

Avoid going out on the ice near docks with bubblers, carry a cordless drill with a 1 in long shank drill to check ice thickness (check often), wear snowshoes on snow or microspikes on ice, and carry ice spikes to help pull yourself out if you should fall in. Let folks know your travel plans (when you're leaving and expect to return along with your route). Use care walking between islands.

Don't forget to carry liquid hydration and food, just like you would on a summer hike.

Above all, be safe and have a ball.

Dave

[MAXUM]

As a "general rule" once the ice is set and has established a thickness of 12" or so you're likely going to be OK provided you're not the first person making tracks.... always like to let somebody else be "that guy".

Other areas to avoid... narrow pinch points between islands such as hole in the wall which does ice over but is NEVER safe - that can be misleading if snow covered. Any spot where there is an inflow or bridge crossing such as under the Long Island Bridge the inflows in Alton Bay under Rt 11 or the inflow from Mills Falls under Rt 3 in Meredith and the Weirs Beach channel just to name a few!

With snow coming and people starting to venture out on the lake it becomes clear what areas people are staying away from and for good reason. If you stay on well travelled routes you should be fine especially if you head out in the middle of the winter. Early and late in the ice season is where a lot of mistakes end up being made. Never hurts to stop and ask anyone ice fishing how thick the ice is as well, most fisherman are happy to tell you - and maybe a few whoppers about the big one that got away!

[Mink Islander]

I understand the desire to have a map like this, but it really isn’t practical or a particularly good idea.

I will give updates here when I head out this weekend so folks have a general idea of how well the ice cover is developing on the south side of Bear between Shep Brown’s and Mink Island.

Three weeks until the fishing derby and the overall weather forecast remains promising.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

As a "general rule" once the ice is set and has established a thickness of 12" or so you're likely going to be OK provided you're not the first person making tracks.... always like to let somebody else be "that guy". Other areas to avoid... narrow pinch points between islands such as hole in the wall which does ice over but is NEVER safe - that can be misleading if snow covered. Any spot where there is an inflow or bridge crossing such as under the Long Island Bridge the inflows in Alton Bay under Rt 11 or the inflow from Mills Falls under Rt 3 in Meredith and the Weirs Beach channel just to name a few! With snow coming and people starting to venture out on the lake it becomes clear what areas people are staying away from and for good reason.
If you stay on well travelled routes you should be fine especially if you head out in the middle of the winter. Early and late in the ice season is where a lot of mistakes end up being made. Never hurts to stop and ask anyone ice fishing how thick the ice is as well, most fisherman are happy to tell you - and maybe a few whoppers about the big one that got away!

Rumored to be a "well-travelled route"...

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by ApS

Rumored to be a "well-travelled route"...

Frozen wake from an "oversized boat"?

In all seriousness though due caution should be employed when approaching or crossing pressure ridges. They can be dangerous.

[Lake Fan]

Originally Posted by Sundancer320

That would be a great idea....I want to do the same, walk out to our place near Pier 19 but wife is freaked out!

We've been making winter trips out to Whortleberry Island from 19 Mile Bay for close to 50 years now. The ice fishermen usually have a plowed road that goes out to Farm and Chase Islands and beyond. I feel pretty pretty safe walking or snowmobiling on a road that trucks are driving on.


The winter experience out there is awesome. Go for it!

[Mink Islander]

Rode my sled from Sheps to Mink Island today checking the ice as I went. A number of pressure ridges in this area. The first is near the ramp at the far end of sheps. I went around it. There is another at cattle landing. There are a few flat spots to cross there. Nothing was wet. There is a third one east of Mink that I haven’t looked at yet. Bottom line is I found 7-9+ inches everywhere with some snow ice on top of that.

[Mink Islander]

Now that it’s buried in the snow, you might miss this one. If was quite wet yesterday and fairly wide. A lot of ice had sagged below the surface. A couple of 4-wheelers thought better of trying to cross it and found a way around towards Jolly. I’m sure if you’re cruising along on sleds, there’s nothing to worry about and another week of mostly cold weather will lock it in again. But I’d be careful even Derby Weekend driving a truck through there.

Be safe and tight lines!

[Blue Thunder]

Nice clear day to get a look from space....

BT

[Barney Bear]

Note unfrozen Sebago Lake in Maine. 🐻

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by Barney Bear

Note unfrozen Sebago Lake in Maine. 🐻

As you can see from my signature that’s where my place is. It is not uncommon for Sebago to remain open water all winter. A depth of 316 feet and nearly a constant breeze contributes to this.