Be careful on small ponds

[kyron4]

Went to a small 1/4 acre pond yesterday, thinking there should be plenty of ice since most are reporting 3" to 3 1/2" on bigger bodies of water. What a surprise when I drilled a hole and had just under 2". Drilled a few more and 2" was the thickest I found. On the north side the edge was skim to open water 6" to 12" around the bank. Never assume a small sheltered pond will freeze up faster and thicker than a lake or reservoir. PSA for the day. Carry on.

[krh76]

I checked a pond yesterday that was the same way. Has about 3” on one ends but thin everywhere else. And two open holes muskrats have been using

[Stickhick86]

You have to be careful with small ponds. Most are spring fed which prevents ice from building as fast. Also if you don't see a stream or spring flowing into it, doesn't mean that it is not spring fed. It could be seeping up from the bottom which also produces thinner spots. Hope this helps anybody.

[Lee1977]

I would echo the same warnings on small ponds. Be careful!!!! I have one and it has every thickness you can think of up to 3”. If you haven’t watched one freeze then you really need to check with your spuds.

[zcm_82]

The ice was a lot worse on the pond I was on today than it was a couple days ago. What had been 4" Thursday was closer to 3" today, and the north end that had been thin was open water.

As a nice bonus, someone swiss cheesed it and left garbage all over the ice yesterday, so I got to pick up someone else's mess. 😒