Vilas Lake Ice

whitedust

Well-known member
Sorry I don't have anything for you. We had lake ice but rain must have warmed the water back up and no ice. I thought the lake ice would come back quickly but it is not happening with mid 20s nights, cloudy days and highs in mid 30s. Never seen this in 12 years living up north.
 
D

Deleted member 10829

Guest
Looking at the forecast starting Tuesday, things will freeze up quickly. Last year, things were still freezing up on our first trip UP January 10th.
 

whitedust

Well-known member
I sure hope so Mark. Usually once the ice sets up here we are a done deal for the winter rain or no rain & with warm ups. This year is a very different ice up so far. I look out each morning and water moving...no ice on edges ...no ice flows. Strange for sure.
 

Highflyer

Active member
Sorry I don't have anything for you. We had lake ice but rain must have warmed the water back up and no ice. I thought the lake ice would come back quickly but it is not happening with mid 20s nights, cloudy days and highs in mid 30s. Never seen this in 12 years living up north.

Last year was so much worse then the way this year is shaping up. I'll bet with the forecast now that the small/medium size lakes will have a solid 4-5" of ice 10 days from now.
 

dfattack

Well-known member
Pete, my lake didn't start to Ice up until December 24th last year. I keep a spread sheet showing ice up in the fall/winter and ice out in the spring going back to 2008. 2008 was the earliest at November 22nd and last year was the latest at December 26th. We are right now about right in the middle of that range so...so far so good. I have a little more brick work to do on my house and need it above freezing for one more weekend!
 

whitedust

Well-known member
We have shoreline ice back now after last night about 30 feet out. Checked with other guys in Vilas and they have the same + some flows. No flows here but maybe tonight.
 

durphee

Well-known member
We had to change lodging last year as we couldn't take lake in Minocqua, that was January 12th ish. Hoping for better ice this year and I want to stay and play at my cabin in Hayward over Christmas time. The upcoming cold will freeze things up nicely. ...thinking positive!
 

kwikgren

Member
083.jpg Calm enough yesterday evening, but way too warm for ice. This evening it is snowing lightly with a gentle breeze, but still 33F. It is very similar here to last year at this time. It was nice enough to take kayaks out on the lake in December last year. It's about to change, but unfortunately there is a lot more mud and flowing water in the woods this year and snow will only add water and insulation to prevent freezing - at least initially. Of course Vilas gets less snow and way colder, so always better ice than up here in Keweenaw County.
 

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
View attachment 54709 Calm enough yesterday evening, but way too warm for ice. This evening it is slowing lightly with a gentle breeze, but still 33F. It is very similar here to last year at this time. It was nice enough to take kayaks out on the lake in December last year. It's about to change, but unfortunately there is a lot more mud and flowing water in the woods this year and snow will only add water and insulation to prevent freezing - at least initially. Of course Vilas gets less snow and way colder, so always better ice than up here in Keweenaw County.

Beautiful pic!
 

frnash

Active member
D

Deleted member 10829

Guest
We had a very thin layer of shore ice out about 30 feet this morning, but it will be gone later today. It was the first ice of the year. After today, it should freeze up fast.
 

whitedust

Well-known member
No change here Mark prolly more open water this morning but I think you are right by end of the week we will set up on some lakes with much lower temps. I'm hopeful....
 

Attak man

New member
We have zero ICE on Lake Nokomis ....last year...guys were ice fishing in the bays on this date (we had 3-4 inches in the bays) ..Here is a picture I had of two eagles on the ice last year on this date

lake nokomis 12-5-15.jpg
 
Last year in December, Minocqua only had 1 day time high below 32 until the 17th and then only a few nights where the low was below 10. I think this years forecast looks promising.
 

whitedust

Well-known member
We have zero ICE on Lake Nokomis ....last year...guys were ice fishing in the bays on this date (we had 3-4 inches in the bays) ..Here is a picture I had of two eagles on the ice last year on this date

View attachment 54711

Yeah I know Bryan even tho El Nino year last year ice was in at this time. JD Forecast looks good for ice before snow so I'm happy with with that condition. Could be a good sleddin year.
 
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