So who has a date in mind that we will be able to get the boats in the water this year based on the current ice conditions?
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So who has a date in mind that we will be able to get the boats in the water this year based on the current ice conditions?
March 15th
March 7th...Huron
The question isn't when you can get a boat in. It's when it's actually reasonably safe to take it out on the open Lake and not be concerned about hitting ice.
Right now there is a lot of ice on Lake Erie. NOAA says Lake Erie is around 70-80% ice covered. Reports from South Bass Island ice fishing have 12-14 inch thick ice, and they are ice fishing. Thinking all that ice is going to go away anytime soon is foolish. Once it starts to break up, wind will move it around. One day no visible ice. The next, it's full of flows.
Yes I know it's anticipation time for the upcoming season. With the good ice coverage this year, I wouldn't think it will be safe on any given day until at the earliest the third weekend of March. And that's if we get consistent warm temperatures and a decent amount of rain. That said, I know some people will go out when the area they want to fish has open water. Remember there is ice out there. Just because you don't see any doesn't necessarily mean there isn't some out there. BE CAREFUL.
A first launch must include getting back out of the lake too that day. . Otherwise it don't count.
next week starting monday highs in the low 60's for 6 days in a row
That should speed things up! Hope all the brave winter ice fisherman didn’t catch all the fattys!!
Was up on Wednesday. Lots of ice on the Lake. High winds last 24 hours and continuing now will break up more of the ice.
Catawba ramp was iced in. Got photos, post later. Open water not far out, but again lots of "flow ice" out there.
Yep, rest of March forecast doesn't have any significant cold spells, and lots of above average temperatures. It's March, so we all know that can change. Grandpa always said we get at least one snowstorn in mid to late march. We'll see.
Nobody out NW of South Bass Island. Ice is still there, but obviously with this wind and the warmer temps, the guides have pulled thier shanties. Certainly looks like another Lake Erie ice fishing season is over.
Thanks for the great eyes on update. I can’t figure out how to add a picture???
Was watching Huron Web cam just now and saw a commercial boat head out the river and back.Looked like a test run.
Check that...a fishing boat just headed out fishing just now...
Open water fishing has started.Yeah!!!!
Anyone going out now is taking a big risk.
The Lake has a lot of ice on it. The water temperature is around 34-36 degrees. There is hardly anyone paying much attention to the Lake. If someone goes out in a boat and has a problem, even something as simple as an engine not starting, they could very well be out there for hours before anyone could get to them.
This is the kind of ice that is floating around out there - photo below. Even if you think an area is ice free, you never know when you might encounter pieces like this. I saw these last Wednesday. They are at least 8 inches thick. Many are a lot thicker. The other photo is from the Perry Monument webcam this morning. Ice is still locked in NW of South Bass Island. Modis satellite photos show a lot of ice on the Lake. Again, wind and currents move this ice around. An area that is "ice free" can have ice in just a few hours.
I understand a few people will take the risk. Fine. If they have a problem, don't expect anyone else to risk their life to come rescue you, except the Coast Guard and local emergency responders. And you would be putting their lives in danger.
Well the photo insert is not working, so no photos. Photo had ice chucks as big as half a basketball court to the size of a kitchen table. Some are not visible until you get right up on them.
Wife and I drove thru Huron ramp yesterday afternoon as a boat had just put in to go out. Crazy in my opinion.
West Basin I respect your post and you have good advise there. I been going ice out fishing for 40 years now. Back in the days when we had no internet to tell us that its not a good idea, andI would be the only boat at times. Yes it's not for newcomers and safety is a must. It's my favorite past time and that's my choice. Again with all respect good advise for rookies.
Your choice for sure and I respect that, but if a serious issue comes up, please do not call the coast card and expect those folks to risk their lives to save you. In my younger days, I did some foolish things myself, but also suffered consequences of my choices as I did not risk others lives by calling for help. Good luck !
Why would you say something like this. Rescuing people in distress is in the job description. You are aware that they practice cold weather rescue all the time, right. They are staffed and ready 24 hours a day.
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Great viewpoints guys. With this big blow coming at the end of the week…what remaining ice we do have will get blown into Canada!!!
Athough….the entire western basin will be chocolate milk…..
Gas prices in southeast Ohio are around $2.39 yesterday…I hope those prices make it to the marina pumps this summer!!!
Read first fishing post from Porkchop Charters on their Facebook page. Boated 29 walleye and a monster 50" muskey.Not sure how they were able to land that trophy. Was Captain Sam being a responsible charter captain fishing yesterday? Hell Yeah!!!!! Boaters have as much right getting rescued from the coast guard as the stranded ice fishermen.
Just like the druggies, their usage has increased because Narcan is freely handed out ! No wonder people do so many crazy things, the gov't rewards them for doing so ! My children and grandchildren are all first responders, watching them go into dangerous situations because of peoples stupidity is awfull. We have lost family members, from peoples poor decisions. Hope it doesn't hit home for any of you.
For those of us not on Facebook, did Porkchop say where he got those walleyes, or his method?
I thought I was the only one not on Facebook. God bless us. LOL
I believe he was trolling. He did not give a location.
LOL... me too. I wander how we get by most days.Quote:
Originally Posted by DW72
This was the caption from picture, "What a toad!! 50" pig outta Catawba! Pry close to the state record. It was released!!" Might contain a clue?Quote:
Originally Posted by gb1234
Erie is still around 30% or more ice covered. 90% of the ice was pushed down to the easten end as of March 10 (Modis satellite). ENE wind today will probably push some of it as far back west as the Western Basin. Big area of ice between South Bass Island and Rattlesnake Island finally broke out and is mostly gone. Looks like it went to Canadian shoreline off Point Peele. There are visible flows out in the Western Basin, and I'm sure lots of pieces here and there.
Wind forecast through next weekend (March 21-23) is almost nothing but high winds. Thursday Friday this week ok. After that - forget it. We'll see if forecast holds up. If so, you have two weekends to get those "honey do" projects done and get the equipment / boat ready. Or, hit the Maumee or Sandusky rivers if you need a few hours outside to ward off the "cabin fever" most of us get in March.
Looking at satellite pic from yesterday and today.Ice is gone as far as big pieces around the islands.I know Huron ramp open but not sure if Catawba ramp open yet.Should be busy tomorrow with warm weather and fishable winds.Good luck to all getting out fishing.
Saturday wind is forecast from the S SE. 23-27mph with... up to 54mph gusts. Don't think it's reasonable to go out in that, especially with the water temperature at Marblehead being 38.1 degrees. Even if you only go out a quarter to half mile. But yes, I know, there will be some who can't resist. :)
My charter buddy launched his boat yesterday.So thats the last of the ice in the Marina's and the ponds here in Cleveland are ice free too.
Looks like heavy winds again for the next few days....booooo.
Am excited to see some posts soonand I hope to get out the first week in April.
Has anyone done anything besides Capt. Sam on the Porkchop?
Looking forward to your report, I will be at Turtle Marina from 4/6 -4/9 so I hope I can get in a couple good days.
Great responses and good guesses! Let’s all have a great season! Everybody be safe.
How the Trollers out there doing? Speeds? Depth? Using weights or not? Location? Any help would be great!
been fishing huron dumping grounds when i can out. water temps were 34 ish to 36. fishing 43' of water. fish were marking down at 33' mostly. trolling speed was 1.2. all rods we ran with 2 oz weights: 50', 2oz, 30' for a total of 80'. all bandits. blue/chrome and white perch pink head and chartreuse tail absolutely did the best. good luck and tight lines.
My charter friend was trolling 1.3-1.5 mph and catching from 30-60 ft leads last week.Anither charter was catching at 70-80 leads same day
I had to go to put in bay today. Rode the ferry. Light wind, some fog, waves were 1’, or less. Water was very clear. At least 2’ at the miller dock on the mainland. Didn’t see any stained water all the way across. A few boats jigging north of mouse. Several more boats to the west. Getting ready to come back, and most of the boats are gone. Did they limit, and go in? Who knows! The lake is calmer now than when I came over. I only see 2 boats on the lake!