what does snow on top do to ice?

[Robbie L]

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

[Drifter_016]

There will be lots of slush there now.
The weight of the snow pushes down and cracks the ice letting water fill the depression created by the ice bending.
I would be willing to bet there is 18" or better water on top of your ice now.
Ice grows much slower under the insulation of the snow.
You're year down there is finished.
Time to pack your gear and get the boat ready.

[Bushwhack Jack]

Drifter is right.  You are going to have lots of overflow now that there is 30 inches of snow on top of 3-4 inches of ice.  STAY OFF IT!  Sounds like a recipe for disaster.  3-4 inches of ice doesn't sound safe even if there wasn't any snow on it.  I don't go out on the ice until there is at least 8-12 inches.  Be careful and don't try anything stupid.  Definitely don't try driving a snowmachine out on it!  Better to wait until it melts.  There's no fish out there that is worth your life.