Ice out

[SupraFishin]

Saw this on Facebook:

 

[Hoey]

It is my understanding that Pepin ice went out with the assist of the Coast Guard ice breaker.  

[Pat McGraw]

I wouldn't read too much into the open water in Oak Narrows. There's been open water there for more than a month. There's clearly forces other than air temps or sunshine at work there. With that said, considering the data shared by delcecchi, and the current 15-day forecast I am not without hope.

[guideman]

It is much warmer now and after watching 30 ice outs on Vermilion, I think Pike bay will be ice free in about a week and Big bay typically follows about 10 days later.  Warm weather and wind can melt ice faster that you can believe. There might still be some ice floating around by the opener however I plan on going fishing like always.

"Ace"

 

[Cliff Wagenbach]

My prediction is that Pike Bay will open by May,4 and Big Bay will open by May, 12!

Cliff

[BrianF]

Another point of reference, Lake Zumbro went out today - the 2nd lake to go out in the state and the first without the help of an ice breaker (lol).  This was twenty six days later than the median ice out date and a new record for latest ice out. 

[delcecchi]

1 hour ago, Cliff Wagenbach said:

My prediction is that Pike Bay will open by May,4 and Big Bay will open by May, 12!

Cliff

From your lips to God's ears...

[Ben48]

 Niles Bay had 18"-21" of ice with another 3"-6" of slush on top as of Tuesday 4/24

[guideman]

Today is the average ice out date for Vermilion. I don't really think it will take more than two to three weeks before it is ice free.  I would go along with Cliffy on this one, highs near 70 degrees next week will melt a mess of ice.

"Ace"

"It's just fishing man"

[monstermoose78]

How is that snow today?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Snow this morning was mostly slush. All gone already!

Some hard pack hiding in the woods and shade yet.

Cliff

[AlwaysFishing23]

It’s possible the whole lake will be open but my guess is that PB will be clear and a few smaller bays and channels. The main lake will still have plenty of ice. The temps are warm with sun but not warm enough to melt 2’+ of ice. On the bright side Looking at the extended forecast it should be clear by memorial weekend though. 

[TomWehler]

Spring 2008 similar weather conditions as now.

Pike Bay clear to past Narrows out to Big Fish island, Ely point, west to Cherry n East McKinley was open except around packed up junk blown up on shore.

Date was May 7th 2008...went to my place an water was really high. Dropped iron, a few pallets north n south docks. messed with lift n water, Nice lunch, Farted & had a nap. 1st time on island without a hound pal. Casino said NO DOGS. So that was that.  Always wondered how few those women I seen got in?  DOH!

Split back mainland mid afternoon an hung out Casino to do Freebie Muskie fish seminar for Arrowhead Muskie Club dudes. Lots of really good food so I pigged out an out again on the great Pak-ons. BURP!!  No one listened to me much, but I always entertain myself, tough crowd but I did have fun. Free room n pop so I was way ahead.  : )

Next day water was moving pretty good in high warm sun n big wind an ice going fast Everret bay, so split to Big Bear an cleaned up on Black Jack n two 1 slots in two hours. Left UP ~~  $770 n headed to Gordys to chow fish Sandwiches then home Musky Acres n my crew. 

Ice clear off lake May 13th in my Tommy Adventures journal / book.

Soooooooo......go figure......always something to kill n Grill but figure similar dates this year also.

Ya never can tell what goes on down below, this lake is more spooky than you or I know oh ya don't ya know.

Keep on rocken!

T

 

 

 

[JerkinLips]

The sun is deinitely warm today however there is a lot of ice to break up. Pictures are from Stuntz Bay. Top 3-5” is very slushy. Will drill holes tomorrow to see how much ice there is. 

[Cliff Wagenbach]

The Pike River has now opened up into Pike Bay as far as the House Boat Rentals!

It also looks like the East Two River and the West Two River are open as far as Pike Bay!

Cliff

[guideman]

My dock is in the water in Pike bay and the rest of the west end of the bay should go tomorrow. Counted 18 Eagles sitting on the ice next to open water in front of my place today.   It was so cool.

"Ace"   

[delcecchi]

On 4/28/2018 at 5:29 PM, JerkinLips said:

Will drill holes tomorrow to see how much ice there is. 

No news?   

[BRULEDRIFTER]

On 4/26/2018 at 9:48 AM, BrianF said:

Drifter, I hope you are right about having more open water than ice.  Was looking more closely at the average ice out dates maintained by the DNR. The avg dates for the lakes that dot the southern most part of the state are approximately one month ahead of the lakes that dot the northern part of the state like Burnt, Kab, and Vermilion.  As of this morning, none of those lakes in the southern part of the state are ice out.  Are we still a month away from open water on V then?  God I hope not, but the math isn’t helping me feel confident. 

I'd toss those analytics out the window, there are just too many variables at play when it comes to ice out. The forecast this week looks good.  Storms today and tomorrow, and lots of sun and wind the rest of the week.  Things are breaking up fast. Stay positive!!!

 

[JerkinLips]

Got busy repairing the boathouse yesterday, so finally got around to posting my findings.  Had 19" of ice in the 3 holes I drilled.  Was only 100 feet from shore in shallow 5 foot water so I don't know if that impacted my results.  Top of ice was very soft in most places; sunk about 3-5".  The ice was pretty firm, but did come out in chunks.  One picture shows how the water was forming holes in the ice.  With the warm mid-60's weather predicted up until opener, I think most of the lake will be clear of ice.

[Darrell Larson]

Pike Bay ice is moving around. From Duffy Point to Duffy Island is wide open beneath power line to island. My shoreline which was open out to 20' is now closed up again. Substantial openings across bay. Won't be long now. Ice is dark and melting fast. The wind is helping, no rain as predicted but things are happening.

[Wakemup52]

Great update JerkinLips, much appreciated!

[delcecchi]

yes, thanks everyone for the updates

 

[BrianF]

My hero...

[RoosterMan]

Looking forward to the opener.  I was up to the lake over the weekend to check things out.  Always a really peaceful time of the year to sit and enjoy the solitude.  Anyhow the Ice in front of my place seems to be deteriorating at a decent pace.  I have attached some photos the first three are of 2014 where we broke ice opening morning to get to our hole.  Arguably one of the best bites we've had on opener in my 20+ years of fishing Vermilion on the opener.  You can see that that year we still had quite a bit of ice floating around our bay on Sunday night.  Third picture. 

 I attached the fourth pic of this morning in front of our place.  I have a feeling this year is setting up alot like 2014.  Good luck out there and keep the updates coming.  Lets get 2018 off to a great start.  

[JerkinLips]

On ‎5‎/‎1‎/‎2018 at 10:48 AM, BrianF said:

My hero...

Need to start breaking some ice with that boat to be a hero.

[meerkat]

I see Pike bay West is open now.  Are we still on track for open water in Big bay on opener?  How is Daisy bay? Mark B used to report on it but haven't heard from him this year.

[delcecchi]

12 hours ago, meerkat said:

I see Pike bay West is open now.  Are we still on track for open water in Big bay on opener?  How is Daisy bay? Mark B used to report on it but haven't heard from him this year.

Mark moved and no longer posts.  We all miss his posts.

[RoosterMan]

Meerkat,

here is a up to the minute shot of Daisy Bay. Our place is on the North side of the bay.  I know Mark was on the South shore.  I’ll post another pic when something more exciting happens. 

 

[meerkat]

39 minutes ago, RoosterMan said:

Meerkat,

here is a up to the minute shot of Daisy Bay. Our place is on the North side of the bay.  I know Mark was on the South shore.  I’ll post another pic when something more exciting happens. 

 

Thanks Rooster,.

Looks promising for the opener!!!!

[TomWehler]

?

 

 

Edited May 3, 2018 by TomWehler