All bets in!! All bets in!!!

[Gobucks8100!]

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?

[island troller]

March 15th

[itsbob]

March 7th...Huron

[West Basin]

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.

[West Basin]

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.

[island troller]

A first launch must include getting back out of the lake too that day. . Otherwise it don't count.

[penalty box]

next week starting monday highs in the low 60's for 6 days in a row

[Gobucks8100!]

That should speed things up! Hope all the brave winter ice fisherman didn’t catch all the fattys!!

[West Basin]

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.

[Gobucks8100!]

Thanks for the great eyes on update. I can’t figure out how to add a picture???