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Canada => Ice Fishing Ontario => Topic started by: Robbie L on Mar 15, 2017, 08:52 AM

Title: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: Robbie L on Mar 15, 2017, 08:52 AM: HI all,
I am looking for someone who has years of experience with ice fishing to help me out.
I am in PA, and there is a lake that had about 3 and a half inches of ice on it. We just got
snow of about 30 inches on top. I have heard that the snow keeps the ice from forming
but also from melting. I have also heard that 30 inches of snow could sink the ice.
Can someone with a lot of knowledge on this please help out.
Thanks, catch the big one, Rob

P.S. 172 acre lake
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: robebrz on Mar 15, 2017, 12:55 PM: Not sure what you consider lots of experience but from what I have I would say 30 inches of snow will probably push the ice down to some extent. You will have lots of water on top making for some deep slush. If it gets cold you may get a thin layer of ice in the slush. So you would have ice then slush then thin layer of ice then snow. I wouldn't go out on it. I have been on 12 plus inches like that and it's not fun. Plus being only 3 inches to start I would be concerned about the integrity. Better to live and fish in the spring. Just my thoughts though.
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: mitch seguin on Mar 15, 2017, 05:44 PM: X2 on your assessment.
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: climber2k on Mar 21, 2017, 07:58 AM: One other point, That much snow will also insulate it from the cold, allowing what may be warm water to melt it from underneath. Anything greater than 32 being warm.
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: viciouscircle on Mar 23, 2017, 07:45 AM: Stay off!
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: nocod on Dec 09, 2017, 10:06 PM: Quote from: viciouscircle on Mar 23, 2017, 07:45 AM
Stay off!
good advice.
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Dec 09, 2017, 10:24 PM: Trashed!

But, give it time, could prove to be the thickest ice around, after a week or so...

<°)))>{
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: sodakdave on Dec 10, 2017, 12:08 AM: To give you an idea, one cubic foot of snow can weigh 15 lbs (more if it's drifted or compacted). So a one foot square section of ice already has 37 lbs on it. Multiply that by the surface area of the lake and look at how much that 3" of ice is supporting. That's way too much.
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: Fisherman 1 on Dec 10, 2017, 10:41 AM: In two words, you're screwed. Any amount of snow like that with push the ice down, water will seep up through the cracks and make massive slush beds that never really freeze again.
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: Gills-only on Dec 10, 2017, 10:50 AM: When u punch a hole(if u are brave enough to go on that) it will be like a well , water will gush out of hole. Lot of weight with the wet snow on so little ice !!
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: hardwater diehard on Dec 10, 2017, 10:52 AM: http://lakeice.squarespace.com/
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: dekatronic on Dec 10, 2017, 11:49 AM: I've fished on ice with 14" fresh snow. Same as others have said, the weight depresses the ice and causes water to seep creating a slush layer. In my case when I drilled a hole it flooded the area and I was immediately standing in 6" of slush and that's when I discovered I had a leak in my right boot. Ice was a solid 12" thick so there was no danger of falling through so I stayed and happened to limit out in twenty min.
Title: Re: what does snow on top do to ice?
Post by: Blue Mago on Dec 10, 2017, 01:24 PM: That much snow will insulate the ice keeping it from freezing , or freezing at a very slow rate .....i wouldn't venture on there for no money !