Temperature and ice build up.

[brettf]

Anyone know how much ice is generally made per day at what temperature. I realize there are many factors such as snow cover, wind, etc. But does anyone know a general rule for how much ice should form in a day. As an example it will be about 23F for the next 5 days. How will that effect ice formation.

I always test ice before I walk on it. I'm just asking because I'm curious and couldn’t find the answer anywhere online.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Matt Johnson]

For some lakes it can really depend on wind conditions and wildlife. Some lakes get hit hard by the wind and it can take a little longer for ice to form. Other lakes will see massive amounts of ducks and geese holding in the water, causing a delay in ice formation. However, wind is usually the culprit, and snow accumulating on the ice before the ice develops enough inches to produce quality ice. Snow can create bad ice if the ice doesn't reach a certain point before the snow falls. Also the melting and refreezing of the ice can be bad at times too. These are all things to consider.

The ice will form at varying increments depending on the lake and temp conditions. I've never been too good on guessing how many inches we'll see per night based on temps. Some people have estimations and I'm always seeing equations that solve things like that, but I still say nothing is definite or always right.

I do know one thing, once we get a couple inches of strong ice, it'll take off rather quickly. We just need to get that solid shield built up without the wind and snow playing havoc, then it will go from there...

[schr0563]

Like Matt said, the key is getting things started. Once a lake is totally covered, the thickness will grow quickly assuming the temperatures are cold. Nights in the single digits will put on at least an inch each night. Now this will slow as the ice gets thicker.

My dad tells me a story, and this is absolutely true, that when he was in high school he went up to Alexandria to go ice fishing on the day after Thanksgiving. The night they arrived the air temperature had dipped to -20 and Lake Ida, which was still open, was steaming like crazy. Well, you guessed it, they ended up walking out on 4 inches of ice the next morning.

[Zdaddy76]

I know a Brett F. Fenske?

[juggs]

I've heard that zero degrees will make one inch over night. The snow will slow that down, I'm sure. I was at a small metro body last night and found maybe an inch at the most.

[Chad_Rap]

My grandfather lives on Ida in Alexandria and he has told many wierd stories about ice on that lake. One story went they were out in the boat for some late fall last minute eye's was somewhat windy with no ice on the lake, then front moved in got all calm and they had to break an inch of ice with the back-up oar to get boat landed...

But this is coming from a 94 year old man....might be a little exaggerated...

Never know what can happen in MN winter though...