Chain O' Lakes - IL
- Thread starter bladeguy
- Start date
SledTL
Active member
The chain probably won't be anywhere close to safe until next week, but guarantee some ballsy people will run it with ice and snow. I haven't seen it, but with the warm up on Friday/Saturday that is always the first thing to open up. I have walked on ponds/swamps around my house and might take the sleds out in front of the house in Twin Lakes on Saturday depending on snow/rest of week weather. I am also familiar with the water depth in front of our house and is only around 3 ft deep. The only good thing in our favor is that there isn't snow on top of the ice and so it can form faster.
I live on the Chain, on Lake Marie, and we ride out there whenever we can, but as of the Saturday not near ready,2-3". These cold temps will lock things up very fast.
I will have take a gamble and say that there will be quit a few people out there this weekend I can assure you of that, especially if we get snow.
If I was able to ride this weekend I would probably be out there also, but then again I know where to go and where not to go, you can get in trouble very fast on the Chain.
If you do not know the Chain and its freezing habits I don't recommend ever going out there unless someone in your group knows where they are going.
A couple of my buddies are heading out there tomorrow to see what is froze and what isn't.
I will have take a gamble and say that there will be quit a few people out there this weekend I can assure you of that, especially if we get snow.
If I was able to ride this weekend I would probably be out there also, but then again I know where to go and where not to go, you can get in trouble very fast on the Chain.
If you do not know the Chain and its freezing habits I don't recommend ever going out there unless someone in your group knows where they are going.
A couple of my buddies are heading out there tomorrow to see what is froze and what isn't.
Ice watch? Hopefully that will be a bit more exciting than "watching grass grow" — oh that's right, some of the folks in da Nort' woods have been doing exactly that for the last few weeks!
Lol not much else to around here this winter
This is good to know. Is there a reason why? I am familiar with the normal freezing pattern but deeper is certainly not good for snowmobiling. I really want to ride the lakes but this is a cause for concern...
- - - Updated - - -
I concur. There are places that are open almost all winter. Some that are not always open but are iffy. And some that change quickly throughout the day. Knowing your way around is very important. Just as with any ice it is important to know how thick the ice is as well as understand that that varies based on freezing patterns and flow. And that it can change throughout the day. There is always risk associated with riding lakes and rivers - ride at your own risk! ..but be smart and minimize those risks...
Yes, the water is higher in areas then normal,and flowing in areas that are either very shallow or dirt on a normal year... However, the chain has dropped quit a bit in the last week. I can see at least a good 1-2' drop as the ice is hung up on piers, may make for ice heaves where there normally isn't.
I wonder if this will affect the little bid of land used to get from Grass Lake to Marie. Hopefully the drop in level will leave that exposed. I agree that dropping ice could lead to heaves. Sounds like a bit of a tricky start this year...
Had a couple of friends out there today, were able to get around with some skipping. Grass channel to Marie was fine today. River not ready yet.... Have a friend that skipped quit a bit of open water yesterday under the Grass bridge, a lot of water....
Be safe guys
Thanks for the report! Personally I like to come out when we can ride up the river to Bridgeport. Hopefully last night below zero will help with that. I personally don't go under the grass lake bridge unless it is mostly frozen.
Blade, Be careful.. My channel is froze ,and it goes out to pistakee lake. I would wait till she locks up alittle more. water level is up right now and will be creating some heaves I'm sure.. also they have barge by the bridge at RT12 in foxlake. I go by it everyday and it looks like they bust up the ice around there everyday.. so be extra careful around there.. take care, jake
Hey Jake! I am going to try on Sunday and/or Monday. So its after two days of melt down then another night below zero. Early I usually stay in the upper lakes - I won't even go under the Grass Lake bridge. Thanks for the info!
1flatlander2
Member
we came back from mercer sun and grass lake bridge was open from jet boat ally to fort Apache. i went out on my channel yesterday and had 2-5 2 over the springs and 5 in safe areas. i saw a sled on petite. with the high water the shores had 1.5 of hollow ice but the mud was not frozen underneath. might go out tonight or Friday. once we get the cold back sat it will lock up all the snow
- - - Updated - - -
i also use lake links to check for ice thickness
http://www.lake-link.com/Illinois-Fishing-Reports/
- - - Updated - - -
i also use lake links to check for ice thickness
http://www.lake-link.com/Illinois-Fishing-Reports/
1flatlander2
Member
Wet. The swamps were not frozen yet so no grooming. Should be good to go now