Ice In

Merrymeeting · 02-17-2012, 06:41 PM

Not to dampen spirits, as at this point I want Ice-out as much as anyone. But I spent several hours today walking on the ice. I don't want to encourage mindless access without knowledge of conditions, but in protected coves and non-moving water areas, we have a LONG way to go before the ice is gone.

The areas I walked on were a good, solid 6" at least, more often 8-12". I checked almost every fishing hole I passed, and the results were the same. It will take a while before ice goes out in these areas.

Hamiltony · 02-17-2012, 08:08 PM

How do you test ice thickness? Is there some sort of drill, or are you estimating by eye?

Jonas Pilot · 02-17-2012, 08:59 PM

I would use an ice chipper (chisel) and 'thunk' my way along the ice. I'd pay attention to the looks and sounds of the ice and every so often I would chip through the ice to measure the thickness. I would make that first chip a gentle one and make sure you have a strap around your wrist and connected to the chipper. If it punches trough retreat! Just incase, make sure you have an extra pair of underwear.

Jonas Pilot · 02-17-2012, 09:02 PM

Just incase the temperature drops.

codeman671 · 02-18-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

Not to dampen spirits, as at this point I want Ice-out as much as anyone. But I spent several hours today walking on the ice. I don't want to encourage mindless access without knowledge of conditions, but in protected coves and non-moving water areas, we have a LONG way to go before the ice is gone.

The areas I walked on were a good, solid 6" at least, more often 8-12". I checked almost every fishing hole I passed, and the results were the same. It will take a while before ice goes out in these areas.

I think we will see it go out the way it came in. The broads and most open areas will go out quickly, while sheltered bays and coves drag on for a while.

How is that big open spot off belknap point looking? We are not up this weekend.

HomeWood · 02-20-2012, 07:23 AM

Ok, everybody can start the ice out count down because I am back in NC.

Had a great two weeks at the house. I found ice 8-15" thick. The entrance to Lees Mills was 13-15". It was 8-10" just about everywhere else I fished. I wish there had been more snow, but the crust made for great walking and atv riding.

Merrymeeting · 02-20-2012, 08:11 AM

With 3 upcoming days close to 50, and nights not going below freezing, I suspect that today could be the last day to be reasonably safe on the ice.

secondcurve · 02-20-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeWood

Ok, everybody can start the ice out count down because I am back in NC.

Had a great two weeks at the house. I found ice 8-15" thick. The entrance to Lees Mills was 13-15". It was 8-10" just about everywhere else I fished. I wish there had been more snow, but the crust made for great walking and atv riding.

Did you catch any fish?

HomeWood · 02-20-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Did you catch any fish?

I actually caught my first Rainbow trout ever! It was almost 3 pounds. Caught it in Moultonboro Bay. No tag in it and it wasn't even derby weekend. Took a pic and released it.

The rest of the fish were perch and pickeral.

Merrymeeting · 02-20-2012, 03:01 PM

Just back from what will be my last trip on the ice this year.

I was out walking on Merrymeeting on Friday and it was solid and I wasn't concerned about my safety in the areas I was traveling.

I was out there again today, about noon when the sun was high and the wind hadn't come up yet. Walking the same areas, I finally decided to get off the ice and walk along the shore. The ice was making all kinds of noises, but not the normal cracking and booming of a solid ice pack. It seemed to be more sagging at times. That is the point when I decided to get off. There is also a long ridge line that has a lot of water coming up along it's length.

If you watch today's time lapse videos of the WeirsCAM and the Anchor Marine cam, you will see noticable ice disappearing from the edge of the ice pack.

Time to start thinking of pulling things off the ice and staying off.

02-17-2012, 06:41 PM	#1
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,226 Thanks: 302 Thanked 800 Times in 368 Posts	Not to dampen spirits, as at this point I want Ice-out as much as anyone. But I spent several hours today walking on the ice. I don't want to encourage mindless access without knowledge of conditions, but in protected coves and non-moving water areas, we have a LONG way to go before the ice is gone. The areas I walked on were a good, solid 6" at least, more often 8-12". I checked almost every fishing hole I passed, and the results were the same. It will take a while before ice goes out in these areas.

02-17-2012, 08:08 PM	#2
Hamiltony Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cape Cod (but Bear Island when I'm in NH) Posts: 12 Thanks: 25 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How do you test ice thickness? Is there some sort of drill, or are you estimating by eye?

02-17-2012, 08:59 PM	#3
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	I would use an ice chipper (chisel) and 'thunk' my way along the ice. I'd pay attention to the looks and sounds of the ice and every so often I would chip through the ice to measure the thickness. I would make that first chip a gentle one and make sure you have a strap around your wrist and connected to the chipper. If it punches trough retreat! Just incase, make sure you have an extra pair of underwear.

The Following User Says Thank You to Jonas Pilot For This Useful Post:
Hamiltony (02-20-2012)

02-17-2012, 09:02 PM	#4
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Just incase the temperature drops.

02-20-2012, 07:23 AM	#6
HomeWood Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clayton,NC / Sanbornton,NH Posts: 611 Thanks: 126 Thanked 137 Times in 75 Posts	Ok, everybody can start the ice out count down because I am back in NC. Had a great two weeks at the house. I found ice 8-15" thick. The entrance to Lees Mills was 13-15". It was 8-10" just about everywhere else I fished. I wish there had been more snow, but the crust made for great walking and atv riding.

02-20-2012, 08:11 AM	#7
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,226 Thanks: 302 Thanked 800 Times in 368 Posts	With 3 upcoming days close to 50, and nights not going below freezing, I suspect that today could be the last day to be reasonably safe on the ice.

The Following User Says Thank You to HomeWood For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (02-20-2012)

02-20-2012, 03:01 PM	#10
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,226 Thanks: 302 Thanked 800 Times in 368 Posts	Just back from what will be my last trip on the ice this year. I was out walking on Merrymeeting on Friday and it was solid and I wasn't concerned about my safety in the areas I was traveling. I was out there again today, about noon when the sun was high and the wind hadn't come up yet. Walking the same areas, I finally decided to get off the ice and walk along the shore. The ice was making all kinds of noises, but not the normal cracking and booming of a solid ice pack. It seemed to be more sagging at times. That is the point when I decided to get off. There is also a long ridge line that has a lot of water coming up along it's length. If you watch today's time lapse videos of the WeirsCAM and the Anchor Marine cam, you will see noticable ice disappearing from the edge of the ice pack. Time to start thinking of pulling things off the ice and staying off.

The Following User Says Thank You to Merrymeeting For This Useful Post:
Hamiltony (02-20-2012)