Author Topic: First ice predictions? (Read 4514 times)

quack · « **on:** Oct 31, 2023, 02:51 PM »

I know, it's still October but this first cold air mass has me excited. Found a puddle frozen over in Ann Arbor today! I'm sticking with my usual guess of 1st ice in Livingston county for my birthday present, December 3rd.

Doeslayer · « **Reply #1 on:** Nov 11, 2023, 11:20 AM »

It sure woukd be cool to be on the ice before Christmas.... But i dont have high hopes

DR.SPECKLER · « **Reply #2 on:** Nov 11, 2023, 05:06 PM »

I didnt icefish at all last year and the weather channels are calling for a super el nino winter.i personally dont have faith in safe ice this year either.just my worthless opinion.but its almost mid november and im still seeing turtles sunbathing on logs while fishing for steelhead...

Daybreak · « **Reply #3 on:** Nov 11, 2023, 07:56 PM »

When I first moved back to northern Indiana in the late 90's I started picking December 12th and came pretty close on when someone would make it out on an inch of ice or so on a channel somewhere and catch a fish or 2. The last few years that date hasn't been even close I don't think. Since I'm 6'1" and 235 lbs I like to feel I'm safer on 3-4" of the hard stuff. Don't mind having good safe ice before Christmas.

EsoxVenator · « **Reply #4 on:** Nov 15, 2023, 10:54 AM »

Livingston Co.? Jan 15th with any luck.
I think I got out twice last year. And one of those I was skunked!

RippinLipsTakingSips · « **Reply #5 on:** Nov 15, 2023, 03:09 PM »

December 31. It's too warm right now but there is some nice cool weather in the forecast next week!

quack · « **Reply #6 on:** Nov 15, 2023, 03:22 PM »

Yea definitely don't ever plan on it but gotta wish for something for my birthday lol. Ive been out on shallow ponds in November a handful of times, most recently was 4 years ago on the 17th of November. But I'm still hopeful for mid December at this point. Found a little skim ice on a small pond in Ann arbor this morning!

BLUJBURD · « **Reply #7 on:** Nov 16, 2023, 04:40 PM »

For those of us south of I-96/69. Are we talking first 1st ice, or second 1st ice? My prediction is 3rd week of Jan.

SKIFFLAKEJIMMY · « **Reply #8 on:** Nov 20, 2023, 01:31 PM »

January 25th.

Crappie-addict · « **Reply #9 on:** Nov 24, 2023, 11:28 AM »

I'm hoping for somewhere in the vicinity of mid-december for the gaylord area.

3300 · « **Reply #10 on:** Nov 24, 2023, 11:56 AM »

Teaser ice.
Diamond Lake, Tustin 11.24.23

Crappie-addict · « **Reply #11 on:** Nov 25, 2023, 12:58 AM »

Nice. I live east of traverse city (williamsburg area) and a couple shallow ponds near me were skimmed over this morning.

My work schedule has considerably slowed down over the past couple weeks and I'm considering making the long haul to the central/western UP in 2 weeks just to get on some ice... I don't think it's gonna be cold enough in the lower. Next 5-6 days or so look cold enough to potentially skim over a few lakes down here but not much more than that.

Ice pack · « **Reply #12 on:** Nov 25, 2023, 06:25 AM »

Dec 20th live in South East I think it is going to be colder than you think

quack · « **Reply #13 on:** Nov 25, 2023, 04:44 PM »

Pond on the golf course in Ann arbor was skimmed over today, skim ice on some canals in Hamburg township too

Crappie-addict · « **Reply #14 on:** Nov 25, 2023, 10:45 PM »

Quote from: Ice pack on Nov 25, 2023, 06:25 AM

Dec 20th live in South East I think it is going to be colder than you think

Yeah it's funny I checked the weather forecast the next morning after posting that and it's looking better now

Icer for life · « **Reply #15 on:** Nov 26, 2023, 06:19 AM »

Older days.....always on the ice just before Christmas. Normal now is +30 days, fingers crossed for the back half of January.....then just hope no rain.

Peace,
Icer

jdgambler · « **Reply #16 on:** Nov 26, 2023, 02:02 PM »

sooner than you think .or not!

TheLionsFan · « **Reply #17 on:** Nov 28, 2023, 01:24 AM »

I just dont have a good feeling about good ice this year with the way the weather guys are talking. I never made it out once last year due to the terrible ice. I think I'll cry if its two years in a row.

michianafisherman · « **Reply #18 on:** Nov 28, 2023, 05:46 AM »

If I don't get safe ice, I'm getting a Passport for Canada.

Uncle Al · « **Reply #19 on:** Nov 28, 2023, 03:37 PM »

Last week of Jan, first week of Feb. Then maybe 3 weeks. Saginaw Bay hasn't been nice to us the last couple of years

SnoHam13 · « **Reply #20 on:** Nov 28, 2023, 04:32 PM »

Ya up here in the Keweenaw its cold enough but 40-50 mph wind gusts is keeping the water open
I am thinking after the first of the year for walkable ice
any updates ill post here

TheLionsFan · « **Reply #21 on:** Nov 28, 2023, 06:23 PM »

Quote from: Uncle Al on Nov 28, 2023, 03:37 PM

Last week of Jan, first week of Feb. Then maybe 3 weeks. Saginaw Bay hasn't been nice to us the last couple of years

Agree. Im tired of waiting on the Saginaw Bay anymore. Dont get me wrong, its by far my favorite body of water to fish. But ive learned now to plan for other lakes that are more consistent for ice.

SKIFFLAKEJIMMY · « **Reply #22 on:** Nov 29, 2023, 07:12 AM »

I had to break through 1/2 inch of ice yesterday to pull the pontoon out.

Crappie-addict · « **Reply #23 on:** Nov 29, 2023, 10:48 AM »

Without giving away too much... I just checked one of my early ice spots in the northern lower and I'm fairly sure people will be out within the next week or so.

Doeslayer · « **Reply #24 on:** Nov 29, 2023, 09:12 PM »

I walked all the way across a swamp this morning on ice without breaking through but it wasn't very thick....

quack · « **Reply #25 on:** Nov 30, 2023, 10:22 AM »

Small pond in Ann Arbor, made it to just under 2" before starting to melt today

EsoxVenator · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 14, 2023, 10:23 AM »

Hate to be a pessimist; maybe I'm just a realist.
I revise my answer: never

Ice pack · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 16, 2023, 04:31 AM »

Quote from: EsoxVenator on Dec 14, 2023, 10:23 AM

Hate to be a pessimist; maybe I'm just a realist.
I revise my answer: never

It's beginning to feel that way

CL_Outdoors · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 18, 2023, 07:22 AM »

Temps trending down beginning the 28th so fingers crossed!

threewack · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 21, 2023, 06:36 PM »

Anybody marking anything?

News:

Author Topic: First ice predictions? (Read 4514 times)