farmpond1 Posted December 22, 2009 Posted December 22, 2009 Gang, Lately Central Illinois has experienced about a month of freeze/thaw temperatures. It's not yet to the point where the ice has gone away but it's thinner and I wouldn't even dare try to walk on it. But in the future I might try to venture out. My question is this: Does ice form "layers?" If so, is this ice weaker than ice from a climate where it remains cold continuously. Or to put it another way, is 5 inches of freeze/partial thaw/freeze/partial thaw/freeze ice weaker than 5 inches of continuous freeze ice? My hunch is yes, but I really don't know. Quote
Super User Lund Explorer Posted December 23, 2009 Super User Posted December 23, 2009 Doesn't really matter how thick it is, it needs to be clear "blue" ice to hold weight. 2" - 4" of good ice will hold up almost any person. But it depends on how much other weight is sitting on top of it as well. That foggy frozen slush, grey/white in color just doesn't cut it. Back in younger days, better known as "Young and Dumb", it only took about 2" of clear new ice to get me on the lake. Spongy enough that water would slowly fill the depression around the hole. Back in those days, anything that took more than two whacks with a sharp spud was supposedly safe. These days, I really don't like to go out until there is a solid 4". Hopefully there will still be something left after Christmas Eve's little storm. Quote
RobbyZ5001 Posted December 23, 2009 Posted December 23, 2009 I will go out on 3 or better. Some thins to consider are the current temperatures, because if you start with 3 and it is a warm day it quickly becomes two and maybe less. I think that dying from falling through the ice is one of the worst ways to die. Quote
farmpond1 Posted December 23, 2009 Author Posted December 23, 2009 Safety has always been of paramount importance to me. And if I don't feel safe, I don't enjoy myself. Clear, really black ice may be the strongest but I'll be darned if it doesn't still give me the eebie jeebies. Dying in my sleep is my goal (like I have any real choice in the matter). Quote
fmoore Posted December 23, 2009 Posted December 23, 2009 Here in NH we had about 2 inches of great ice, then 8 inches of snow about 3 weeks ago. That turned the ice an ugly white color and if I was going to go out, would have put me off it for a week or so. Now I'm cutting 7 inches and life is good. 4 wheelers and bob houses on the ice. As has been said, 3 inches of fresh black ice is fine as long as you're not in a group. I'd stay by myself at all times of 3 inches. If the ice isn't nice and clear, wait til you have 4-5 inches. Just be aware of currents and whatnot. Or just make it easy and let someone else be the guinea pig Another thing about ice: snow insulates it. If there's a decent amount of snow on top it will be slower to freeze further and slower to thaw. Last March I was ice fishing on a 65 degree day on 9 inches of ice. It takes a lot for it to melt. Quote
swilly78 Posted December 25, 2009 Posted December 25, 2009 soon, soon......Well, I guess some of the smaller lakes are safe, and guys are fishing them. But for me, I will wait for Jan 1. Good luck on the ice gentlemen, and stay safe! Edit: Also good luck ladies! Quote
Push_Button_Bassin Posted December 29, 2009 Posted December 29, 2009 I live in southern NH and the pond I live on (90 acres) has 6 inches of clear blue ice. I use a power drill with a 3/4 inch bit to drill test holes. It's quicker and easier than my auger. Not sure whether the rain we had affected the pond. Saturday was packed with ice fisherman. Nothing today, but it is a Monday. Quote
farmpond1 Posted December 29, 2009 Author Posted December 29, 2009 I recently bought a flasher unit and a new ice rod/reel combo (the bait monkey hasn't neglected ice fishing junkies). These new aquisitions are making the waiting game even more excruciating. It's awfully tempting to venture out. Quote
swilly78 Posted December 30, 2009 Posted December 30, 2009 Well, I know I said I wouldnt be out until Jan 1, but I bought an underwater camera system and a shanty, so I figure I have to test them out. That being said, I will be heading out to test some small waters tomorrow, and playing with my new toys. Quote
swilly78 Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Well, the first trip out I went to bass lake in bartlett, and managed to catch about 6 small gills and a couple small crappies. Nothing to keep though. Yesterday, however, me an some buddys headed up to channel lake on the chain, and caught 4 keeper gills and a keeper crappie. It was funny though, on the camera, I could see schools of gills slowly cruising around, but very inactive. It was, however, a nice day and my nieghbor took the fish to make a small batch of soup. Looking forward to trying some. Quote
farmpond1 Posted January 4, 2010 Author Posted January 4, 2010 Swilly, Well, with this cold snap, the ice should be thick enough on the small ponds. Was also wondering how you did? I went out yesterday. In some places, it was 5 inches and in others only 2 or 3. Me thinks there must've been water flowing in from a tile in the thin spots. Quote
swilly78 Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Well, on channel lake, on the chain, it was between 6-7 inches. Lots of fish, but very inactive. I think the bluebird skys didnt help, and it was right after a full moon, so we will see. Ill be back out this weekend, but I think ill head down to mizonia, or stay local. Quote
Uncle Leo Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Hey Swilly if you hit Mazonia only the North Unit will be open. DNR are still catering to the hunters. http://www.chicagolandfishing.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=71555 Quote
swilly78 Posted January 5, 2010 Posted January 5, 2010 Thanks Uncle Leo, I prefer the North unit anyway, to much hiking in the south unit for me. Maybe its time for an ATV...... Quote
Super User Lund Explorer Posted January 6, 2010 Super User Posted January 6, 2010 Still Need To Be Careful! A lot of us have been out on the ice, but it still isn't safe in some places. Awfully sad story here. http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=117198 Quote
farmpond1 Posted January 6, 2010 Author Posted January 6, 2010 Still Need To Be Careful! A lot of us have been out on the ice, but it still isn't safe in some places. Awfully sad story here. http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=117198 Yes, very sad. Accidents sometimes just happen but I'd hate to be responsible for contributing to someone's death because of recklessness. Quote
IDbasser Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 The lake where I am fishing has 14 inches of ice. Quote
farmpond1 Posted January 7, 2010 Author Posted January 7, 2010 The lake where I am fishing has 14 inches of ice. You could probably drive an M1A1 Abrams tank on that ice. Quote
IDbasser Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 Real good clear ice, and temps back in the teens. Quote
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