That is the reason LL: Continued aeration. I have ice cover now, and it's grey ice also. The HBG pond is nearly devoid of vegetation, so nature's oxygen producing equipment is non-functional. And with the surface capped, there is no wind or wave interaction either. Combine that with a relatively shallow depth, (around 11'), and a high concentration of fish, and it makes me nervous. It hasn't been locked up for very long, but I will open it up, probably tomorrow....not willing to take a chance.
I hear you on the fishing and skating, but I have too much invested in my fish to to risk it. I'm fortunate to have other ponds at my disposal to satisfy my desire to fish, so I'm okay with opening a hole in this one.
