Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Early Icefishing coming?

Here in northern Indiana it looks like I could be walking on water later in the week if we don't get any deep snow to insulate the ice. Highs in the 20's with lows almost in the single digits.

Of course I can just ice fish off the 70 foot pier if I need to. I do need to take out about ten average size perch for a taxi school that I will get ten bucks a piece for. Trouble is the local bait stores haven't restocked with fatheads due to the off season. They bite best on live fatheads!

How about anybody else?

We're ice covered right now. It's cold and there is a blizzard blowing. I think a half foot is on the ground right now.

Bruce,

Of course if your ice is not very thick yet and you put a good coat of snow on it that may not allow some good ice to form. I hope that doesn't happen here as I never got the aerators in. I may take a chance on not putting aerators in this year.

Yea, Cecil, no need to put the aerators in, just stay home from Florida this year and keep the snow shoveled.

Cecil -- I was out chasing a few pheasants around this afternoon. Went by one of the public lakes, and there actually was an ice house on it! One of those canvas-sided ones, so not all that heavy. However, not me!!

I would but it will be my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary so I can't miss it. Truthfully I'd rather go icefishing than go to the area of Florida they live in. It's the Tampa/Largo/St. Pete area. Second only in population density to NYC. Last two times I've been there it got cold and rainy and then gets nice the last day or two I'm there!

Well it's snowing to beat hell here. Up 5 inches tonight. I think I figured out how to have a white Christmas. Don't reposition your diffusers for winter and go to Florida over Christmas!

Come to think of it last time I went to Florida on Christmas there was a snowstorm here on Christmas Eve. That never happened before.

This 65 and 70 degree weather is very hard to take. I do remember the Illinois and Michigan weather, ice and snow.

I'm headed to Florida the 2oth. Look for 40's and 50's with a cold rain in your southern latitudes including Florida. Never fails. :rolleyes:

Not looking to derail this thread but with the focus on ice skating, it hasn't been a good start to our ice season. We had a skim coat of ice form, then temps moderated a bit. Today we received a couple inches of snow. Now both ponds have a slushy mix on them. Weather Channel is calling for weekly highs in the low 30's, with low teens at night.

The actual temperture here this morning is -2 degrees with a wind chill of -12. Burrrrr......

I am a new owner of a 2 1/2 acre pond in central Indiana. My teenagers are looking forward to ice skating but my wife is VERY worried about the prospect. Can you share some basic guidelines and cautions for me to determine when it is safe to ice skate. I searched the forum but could not locate such a discussion.

Schroeder,

We have been skating on our pond for 3 years now. Last year wasn't very good but the first two where. Doesn't look good for this year so far. Thin Ice and then snow is just leaving us a slushy mess. Anyhow, I do not allow anyone on the ice until there is a uniform 4" throughout. Might be a little overkill but better safe than sorry.

Cecil
Your right, today we are about 54 with a wind chill of 36. It is cold.

No need to worry Russ. It's still early. My ponds should be making ice all week and we typically don't get safe ice until the end of the month.

I measured 1 inch of solid ice off the end of the pier around noon. I'll bet a good 2 inches by tomrrorow. High today was only in the teens with single digits at night forcasted for several days.

I would concur about the 4 inches of solid ice to play it safe. 4 inches of solid ice is like solid steel for those on foot. No worries.

Schroeder - The following is from The Old Farmers Almanac

Ice Thickness* Permissible Load
2 inches one person on foot
3 inches group in single file
7-1/2 inches passenger car (2-ton gross)
8 inches light truck (2-1/2-ton gross)
10 inches medium truck (3-1/2-ton gross)
12 inches heavy truck (8-ton gross)
15 inches 10 tons
20 inches 25 tons
30 inches 70 tons
36 inches 110 tons

*Solid clear blue/black and lake ice.
Slush ice has only half the strength of blue ice.
Strength value of river ice is 15 percent less.


I would add at least one extra inch to all measurements. Remember to stay away from partially submerged structure and trees . The sun warms the tree and will make the ice around it very weak. Stay safe!