Horseshoe ice conditions

[Horseshoe_Don]

The lake is mostly covered in water up 2" deep. The winter access is deteriorating fast. I estimate it will be unusable by thursday if not sooner. I stopped 2 vehicles that entered the lake from the 22 summer access and then almost drove over the meth hole and showed them how to properly exit the lake.

I am also seeing a lot of trash on the lake that I am picking up.

Don

[Rick G]

Thanks for the update Don. I was out there yesterday, ice was pretty wet. Rhubk I saw you driving around on the wheeler about an hr before dark

[Horseshoe_Don]

I was checking to see if the crappies have moved to their late ice spots. They have not.

Don

[Tom Sawyer]

Thanks Don for picking up trash. I always have a garbage bag handy to pick up garbage left behind by lake pigs this time of year. Some lakes always seem to have bigger pigs than others.

[noska]

Thanks for picking up don! Was on cedar last night, plenty of ice, just wet. Fishing was still structure based from 7-9pm was the bite hours. Tried spring spots first, didn't mark a fish

[Horseshoe_Don]

Ice is turning black. Checked the winter access off 22 and its getting bad on the horseshoe side and pretty good on the cedar island side.

Don

[IceHawk]

Was out today on some lakes hate to say it but shes going fast wont be long and we will be sticking a fork in it!

[Stick in Mud]

That's nuts....Amazing how fast those shorelines will go, especially where there's lots of dirt/gravel from cars coming on and off.

[Horseshoe_Don]

Ic is rotten and down to 18" when I measured this afternoon.

Don

[IceHawk]

Thanks Don think its almost time to stick a fork in it!

[smurfy]

took a drive past the chain tonite. not many people out but there where a few. saw a couple wheelers out on the other side of horseshoe. 2 guys out on long.

also looked like they were trying to or working on removing that vehicle that went thru on becker. there where 4-5 cars on hwy 22 watching that way and as I was driving I needed to pay attention to the road.

[Guest]

Just got off the chain. Ice is sure going fast with this warm weather. Got to meet horseshoe don tonight. It is always fun meeting fellow fm'ers. Got a lot of good insight from him about horseshoe. I Could not find much for fish tonight though but nice evening none the less

[mrpike1973]

Was up on the chain Friday. looks like it's going fast has the main river channel started to break up yet?

[IceHawk]

River is starting to open in spots 49 bridge area in Cold Spring, 71 bridge area and numerous pockets N of the 22 access.

[Horseshoe_Don]

my ice fishing season is over. The ice is no longer safe on horseshoe 4 wheelers. Pan fish are still in winter spots. Not going to walk that far.

Don

[JoeMX1825]

Any changes with the chain ice the last few days with all the wind we've been having? Is it piling up on shores anywhere yet?

[Horseshoe_Don]

No significant changes in the last 48 hours

Don

[mrpike1973]

went up there yesterday looks like the rivers punching through good is the 22 access cracked open yet?

[Horseshoe_Don]

not yet but really soon. Its open under 22.

Don

[mrpike1973]

Thanks Don!

[JoeMX1825]

Is the main river channel open throughout the chain yet? gotta be getting close?

[Horseshoe_Don]

it is not. Not open at access, but open under 22 and on some corners

[JoeMX1825]

Any changes? most of the metro area lakes should be ice free by this weekend, and chance Horseshoe chain is free by next weekend?

[Horseshoe_Don]

0% chance ny next weekend but the river is open

[JoeMX1825]

Any changes with the ice-out?

[Horseshoe_Don]

The river is open and extended quite a ways into shoe. Wind is eating up ice quite rapidly. Still not sure when Ice out will happen. Will post when I do. Definitely less than 7 days.

Don

[JoeMX1825]

sounds good, figured today's wind would do some serious damage to the ice..

[Rick G]

Thanks for the info, Don

[JoeMX1825]

Ice out yet?

[Horseshoe_Don]

about 25%, but with the cool temps it will take wind to open. All it will take is one windy day. looking like 24-72 hours yet, could be longer though.