Ice Conditions - South Side of Bear Island through Cattle Landing?

[Mink Islander]

Wondering whether anyone was out on the ice between Meredith Neck and Bear Island last weekend. FLL, seen any activity -- ice fishermen or snowmos? Curious what the ice thickness is though Cattle Landing -- though probably waiting until the 4th to venture out myself to Mink Island. Things should be well set be then -- even with a day of warmer weather coming. I'll report what I find then.

[codeman671]

I am curious as well, I need to get out to Mark. Even solid conditions at Mark would be fine as we may have helicopter access and just need a place to land that is solid.

[Mink Islander]

Been such a crazy winter that it's hard to know right now. I'd bet there's at least 3-4" but doubt there's much more than that through Cattle Landing and on to Mark/Mink. In a typical year, the ice thickness is usually about identical from Cattle Landing all the way to Mink so a data point from a local ice fisherman would be a real help. I don't want to drive all the way up just to discover 3" of ice. Die hards would say that's plenty to walk on. My minimum is 6-7". Feeling pretty good that things will be well set for the Derby and beyond given the long range forecast right now.

[Dano]

Wondering whether anyone was out on the ice between Meredith Neck and Bear Island last weekend. FLL, seen any activity -- ice fishermen or snowmos? Curious what the ice thickness is though Cattle Landing -- though probably waiting until the 4th to venture out myself to Mink Island. Things should be well set be then -- even with a day of warmer weather coming. I'll report what I find then.

I am planning a weekend on Dow Island Feb 10-12 for the winni derby hoping
the ice cooperates. I would not be surprised if nineteen mile bay has houses
out already. As nineteen mile always seems to freeze first. Good Luck

[Bear Island South]

This picture was taken on 1/19/12 from my neighbors web cam
South side of Bear looking towards Mink

[Bear247]

This picture was taken on 1/19/12 from my neighbors web cam
South side of Bear looking towards Mink

What a look when there is no snow on the ice....

[Mink Islander]

Great shot. Thanks for sharing. Need my mini crampons to traverse that. Looks like real progress. Feeling very positive about the weekend after next.

[Belmont Resident]

This warm weather has many reports of people, even families going through the ice. Snowmobiles, dogs and people have all been reported going through this last week on the news.
Yesterday it was above freezing then last night it poured. This morning the temps are above freezing at 40. Today highs will be in the 40’s with sunshine. No real cold weather is in site with lows maybe below freezing at night. As posted many times those cold snaps that were suppose to last have mysteriously disappeared.
It’s a really crappy winter, and now with this warm up the ground might even start to thaw which will make it even more of a mess.
I hate to say it because I love winter, but at this point I’m all for a really early spring, at least then I can start outside projects.

[Mink Islander]

A lot can change in a week. I'm a very careful guy and have been trekking out to Mink in the winter for many years. If I don't have 6-7 inches of ice a couple hundred yards off Cattle Landing I call it a day. Not one for taking stupid risks just to fish. Agree it's questionable whether we'll see that much ice ten days from now.