Official 2019-2020 Ice In Thread

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by snowflake

Did I miss it, has ice in been officially declared??? Was it declared on 1/19/2020? Thanks. Here in Boston I don't think we're having a real winter this year!

More "unofficially" declared mostly because it does not mean the lake is "safe" but merely ice covered.

[Lakegeezer]

Someone obviously believed in ice-in today. He had an ice augur and apparently got away with it.

[Mink Islander]

Two guys on atvs were caught on my camera a short while ago headed over towards the Indian head rock on the east side of Bear Island (Camp Lawrence). I suspect it’s the same guys who fished there often last winter. I have no doubt there’s at least 4 inches in that general area, but.... it’s going to stay warm through the next week and rain so these already marginal conditions could deteriorate rapidly as we head into the derby weekend. I fear we are going to see a repeat of a couple years ago with the unfamiliar or the overly brazen making very bad decisions and paying for it with their lives. Hope I’m wrong.

[MAXUM]

Quite true, can tell you the ice conditions are sketchy and due caution is essential. Out on Bear Island for the weekend, walked out and was very careful to stick to good solid areas, where the ice is averaging between 6" - 10". That said there are a number of stress ridges and even from a distance did not look smart to approach in fact there is a area of open water on the south side of Pine right at the gap with Bear so stayed way clear of all that.

FYI getting on at Shep's is a no go. Not safe to get on near the docks where access is typically made.

Today there were a number of people out joyriding on quads out from 3 mile to 5 mile and everywhere in between. They are out of their minds. With warm weather returning this may be my only trip out this winter.

That said, beautiful day to be out on the island

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Mink Islander

Two guys on atvs were caught on my camera a short while ago headed over towards the Indian head rock on the east side of Bear Island (Camp Lawrence). I suspect it’s the same guys who fished there often last winter. I have no doubt there’s at least 4 inches in that general area, but.... it’s going to stay warm through the next week and rain so these already marginal conditions could deteriorate rapidly as we head into the derby weekend. I fear we are going to see a repeat of a couple years ago with the unfamiliar or the overly brazen making very bad decisions and paying for it with their lives. Hope I’m wrong.

Well stated!