Ice Out

[West Basin]

Thursday satellite images show Western Basin around 90% ice covered. Rest of Lake same. Thicker and thinner areas, but plenty of thick ice out there all down the Lake. NOAA ice thickness map says 6-12 inches in the Western Basin (not easy to read - colors are not easy to tell apart). Probably more like 4-12. Doubt anyone will try ice fishing off the mainland today or this weekend, probably not a good path out due to choppy ice and ridges. Not looking good for boating anytime soon. I hear shipping ice breaking starts on Monday, including into Sandusky and Marblehead. That may help. I wouldn't expect "safe" boating to start for at least two weeks.

But there is hope... :-)