Ice thickness clarification

[Gus]

I've been reading a lot of posts reporting ice thicknesses of 6-12 inches. What I'm wondering is are people considering the milky white bubbly crud as part of this thickness? I've also read a few posts by people who say Ice was 8 inches thick but the top 5 inches was white or milky ice. I guess what I am trying to get at is some kind of consistancy in ice reporting. As we all know there is a huge difference is strenght between white, milky, rotted ice vs clear hard ice. So what do people mean currently when they say 8" of ice? Should we just be reporting the "good" ice, or a combination? Let's hear what people think.

(All numbers I used were purly numbers pulled out of my hat for examples)

It's also a good idea to always verify the ice yourself. Don't take anyone's word for it.

[Powerstroke]

I was on Minnetonka and the ice was 12" in Crystal Bay but only 5" was clear.

Another lake I fished only had 8" and 3-4" was clear. DOes that mean that its as unstable as 3-4" ice....I doubt it. Late in the season there will be 2 feet of ice but its never clear.

Evaluate the ice and make your own decision, but there is no true way to rate ice unless its perfectly clear. Thats why its "never safe".

[SCHAAKATTACK]

I'm with ya there Gus! I have read these reports also and when I have been out There is no way I could measure anywhere near what others have said. I was out yesterday there was 6 1/2 inches of ice total between clear and milky ice. I even talked to a guy before I went out and he said there was 9 inches. Maybe he was measuring from the top of the ice after he drilled the hole and the pile of shavings were still around it.(LOL) I guess I still felt comfortable with it because there were so many permanent style fish houses out there. If they haven't gone thru then I am cautiously optimistic. Ice stories just like fish stories.

[Carp-fisher]

On Sunday I noticed large chunks of ice coming up after I drilled my hole...it reminded me of late ice. On one lake I fished last weekend, it looked like there was only about an inch or two of clear ice beneath all that cloudy stuff. If we get a couple of sunny days in the upper 30's, I won't walk on it anymore until we get a cool down.

[mtreno]

these are the same fisherman who catch 11 inch crappies that are smaller than my had. i have one of there rulers at my cabin - it goes 1 2 3 4 14 15 16 17 26 27 28 29.

[SCHAAKATTACK]

I KNEW IT!! My ice scooper is just too much technology in it! scooper/chipper/tape measure stamped in handle. It counts in 1 " increments. You just can't trust these new gadgets.

I do know that ice can vary from spot to spot. I just have yet to find ice that thick where I have been. Sorry fellas!

[Powerstroke]

Sorry Matt but there was 12" of ice in the bay I was fishing. My new fangled ice scooper with inch markings on the handle doesn't lie. Some people seem to think that just cause its been warm means that ice starts losing thickness as fast as it developed. I'm not saying the snow turned slush turned ice is safe, but it is none-the-less frozen.

I do have to say its funny how the equipment people uses influences how much ice they find. If they only drive vehicles or own perms. then they overestimate the ice to comform themselves about being out. I fish on 3" with a bucket and for guys like me, more than 3" of ice is plenty as long as its quality.

PS....Matt, did you ever find the 2nd key for the truck?

[Guest]

Gus

On a lot of lakes the ice is pretty consistent.. mostly the lakes that froze late and had nothing but clear ice until it was bout 6".

Other lakes out there that froze early I have encountered have what I consider to be dangerous ice. It has greatly varied this season getting as this as 12" with 10" being good clear ice, to the same spot being about 8" now with 1/2 honeycombed clear(soft clear) and 1/2 milky, crusty(worthless) stuff. Other areas of the same lake I have hit and have nothing left except 4"-5" of white ice... enough to make most of us(including me) head for safety. I have seen several different areas on the same bodies of water vary greatly in thickness, and in ice quality. It all look s the same until you drill a hole. DOnt expect the ice to be the same everywhere.

When I make a report, I try to give accurate information on ice conditions... It seems to change every couple days in some areas, and is staying pretty stationary in others.

To be honest, I am getting tired of drilling holes and I am all together avoiding some areas because of ice conditions.

[mtreno]

sorry man forgot all about it. going to go look right now. cleanup around my house started tonight so i am bound to come up with it in the next few days - i know i got it. got a nice crappie/pike spot to give ya to make up for my delay if your interested.

[Powerstroke]

I"m interested. I'll try and give you a call later tonight.

[himjunkie13]

I'm the kind of ice fisherman who goes out if there are perms out there. If not, I'll stay inside but if so you can't keep me away. my advice is to use a spud bar (long metal pole w/ chisel end) to check ice thickness just to be safe, i always do. Hope this helps.