After a day of intense winds up to 55 mph, and above normal temps, this is all that is left of the ice on the biggest pond on the property that is home to the trophy size yellow perch and bluegill:
Here's is a closer picture of the remaining ice. (Less than 10 percent of the pond)
A close up of some open water, which is a combination of Aquashade and a minor coldwater algae bloom. I get my most intense algae blooms in the winter, probably due to more available nutrients for the phytoplankton, due to the dye off of macrophytes. In the water is some kind of sedge grass that has died down and been submerged by high water.
Anyone else see any season changes up north?
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 02/20/1611:59 AM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
Not up north, but open water completely down here. Heading out with the long rods shortly. Hope I haven't forgotten how to fish.
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Still 85% ice covered here, my pond came up 7-8" in two days with the rapid snow melt this week. I am hoping the cold water influx didn't shock my RES. I am thinking another day or two before ice out.
Still 85% ice covered here, my pond came up 7-8" in two days with the rapid snow melt this week. I am hoping the cold water influx didn't shock my RES. I am thinking another day or two before ice out.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
Got a ways to go to ice out for good here in N. Illinois. Some of what looks like open water in this pic is actually about a foot of water pooled on top a layer of ice below. Temps supposed to drop back down some next week.
I let Kate out to run around today when I looked at the pond and she jumped off the pier and promptly went thru the ice. I fished her out none the worse for wear. There is still ice all over the pond, but it's very honeycombed, and maybe 2" thick.
We're still locked. Several days of sub zero last weekend tightened things up. This was early, by afternoon it was 56 here... Edges getting soft. It's like 21 days to daylight savings time... Bring it on!
Last edited by Hollywood; 02/20/1608:48 PM.
Pond Boss subscriber
Would those that say "it can't be done" please refrain from interrupting those that are doing it...
We were ice-out at the end of January, then locked right back up again. Sitting at 8 inches or so of crummy snow-filled ice and the prospect of a heavy cold rain this week. Ugh.
Cecil, no winter aeration due to the RES. Rapid snow melt last week brought the pond up 7-8" pretty quick while it was still ice covered, I was worried it might have temperature "shocked" some of my RES. I have also been keeping an eye on the wind mixing the water column after ice out. So far only two RES, both looked very thick. I still might find a few more floaters in the next few days, last year I found a half dozen RES in the 4-7" range after ice out.
I don't want to risk it, the pond is only a 1/4 acre. Winter aeration might get a few RES but more importantly I have dogs and don't want to mess with having areas of thin ice. Years ago at my dad's old pond their 15 year old dog went out on the ice where the heat pump discharged into the pond, she drowned next to the dock in shallow water on a very cold Christmas morning. I will fire the aerator back up when water temps are back into the mid 50's.
Hate to see that. On the positive side however, you are turning out some tremendous RES! Good times ahead me thinks!
"Forget pounds and ounces, I'm figuring displacement!"
If we accept that: MBG(+)FGSF(=)HBG(F1) And we surmise that: BG(>)HBG(F1) while GSF(<)HBG(F1) Would it hold true that: HBG(F1)(+)AM500(x)q.d.(=)1.5lbGRWT? PB answer: It depends.
Steve I too have RES morts every winter, not a ton, but I often see them laying on bottom with my AquaVu when fishing. It's heartbreaking, I share your pain. When are you coming fishing?
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau