Visit the Team Iceshanty Proshop
That is strange I had the same thing. Been ice fishing over 40 years never had it happen before. Sounds like there was a bunch of small fire crackers going off. And you could see the divot in the ice. I was in western Ma.
I remember fishing a Mass pond years ago where it sounded like explosives going off and the water in your hole would bounce up and down. I seem to remember it did that the most when it was the coldest but it's been so long ago I may not be accurate. Here's an interesting link that explains a few things. https://madison.com/wsj/weather/ask-the-weather-guys-why-do-frozen-lakes-make-sounds/article_104a370b-3a4b-598d-984a-9790be7c24c3.html
I've heard just the "pings, small "booms'' and grinding noise, usually when the sun starts heating it up. Think it expands and pops air pockets, would be my guess. Found this that shows some "exploding" ice...
So yes I have experienced a ton of ice noises. My favorite is morning expansion when the sun hits on the big lakes. You'll hear the dull pinging, which gets louder as the sun rises. Eventually as the ice expansion continues the ice breaks sometimes creating a wicked loud boom and where I fish brand new ridges. Had that happen on schroon. 8" of perfect black ice. Sun rose and the noises started. The big boom moved the ice up and down at least a foot or 2 and knocked over my heater and vex. The night noises from ice expanding from freezing have been similar most nights but what I heard the other night with Matt was unique and maybe due to how thick that ice was.
I've seen flat ice turn into 2 foot ridges. I've watched an entire lake empty, people running everywhere after it happened. Made me laugh. My favorite part is how quiet the ice is after the pressure is released. Should be mentioned this typically only happens on large water. The ridges at least.
For sure on large lakes. Out here we definitely get pressure ridges on the Great Lakes. (Image removed from quote.)
I think most ice fishermen have experienced the loud ice rattling booms and cracks and what I call Star Wars sounds before. What I experienced was nothing like that, it was concentrated localized surface pops like those paper wrapped poppers that came packaged in sawdust when we were kids but sent ice chips airborne.
I was hoping to encounter those out of NY or even Ohio this year but the ice never set up....
I would love to try some Erie walleye if my vehicle ever stopped being in the shop lol.
Detroit River soon. Split gas and I'll tow the boat out. The Tahoe gets 2 mpg with the boat behind it.
380 gallons one way at that rate.