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Montana => Ice Fishing Montana => Topic started by: Droz on Jan 15, 2005, 01:13 PM

Title: Warm Weather
Post by: Droz on Jan 15, 2005, 01:13 PM

Does anyone think the warm weather next week will drastically affect the ice on the lakes.  If so, How much damage will it do?  Or do you think there'll be enough ice to fish on next weekend.

Title: Re: Warm Weather
Post by: Droz on Jan 15, 2005, 10:07 PM

Nobody has a thought.

Title: Re: Warm Weather
Post by: wyogator on Jan 17, 2005, 11:42 AM

I was wondering the same thing. It is already 18". How long does 30-40-50 degree weather make it unsafe?

Title: Re: Warm Weather
Post by: Droz on Jan 17, 2005, 02:41 PM

I don't know.  It's supposed to be 58 degrees here in great falls on Sunday.  That's when I was planning to head to Lake Frances to fish.  Unless I know that the ice is safe, I'm going fly fishing.

Title: Re: Warm Weather
Post by: Riverb8 on Jan 18, 2005, 09:27 AM

I just hope the weatherman is wrong.  Maybe it will cool back down before the end of the week.

Title: Re: Warm Weather
Post by: waistdeep on Jan 18, 2005, 04:31 PM

I wouldn't panic with the short daylength we have at this time of year and the cloudy skies in the forecast.  It's still supposed to get down into the 20s at night.  The rain took the snow down considerably today and could be a problem if it continues, but I'll be surprised if this warm spell makes much of a dent in the ice built during last week's arctic blast.

Title: Re: Warm Weather
Post by: Droz on Jan 18, 2005, 05:39 PM

I think it's the wind we need to worry about.  40-55 degrees for a week with 20-30 mph winds.  That wind will erase the ice.  That's what I'm worried about.

Title: Re: Warm Weather
Post by: waistdeep on Jan 19, 2005, 05:31 PM

You could be on to something at least regarding the late-freezing larger lakes.  I hadn't realized how little ice there was on Canyon Ferry to begin with.  Depsite the deep freeze last week, less than 8 inches at White Earth plus the melted snow added a good inch of water on top of it today.  Plenty safe but what a mess.  NWS ::) underestimated the temps and overestimated the winds again today.  If I practically have to wear waders to stay dry, I'd prefer to be standing in the Mo with my fly rod, too.   

Title: Re: Warm Weather
Post by: Gusher on Jan 24, 2005, 02:34 AM

I was fishing on Tiber this weekend and had to go down and pick up my tip-ups on Sunday, what a mess.  There was 2 inches of water on everything and the pressure ridges are big time scary now.  And the ice that's close to shore I definentlywould suggest taking a close look at before driving any vehicles on.  And to top it off I lost 2 tip-ups through the ice.  hopefully it's going to cool down, but everyone stay safe.