Ice Conditions – December 29, 2012

The first spot Darrell tested at Fairy Lake was right off the dock – there was a very thin layer of ice that was easily broken by his boot. The next spot was in front of the splash pad where he found 3-inches of ice, but at least 1/2-inch of it was very poor ice.

There wasn’t too much snow on top of the ice, suggesting that the lake is only just setting up because the area has had more snow than what we found on the lake (and not enough wind to blow it away).

Water on the ice? Or open water? This is one of the last areas to freeze over in this part of the lake.

The view of the lake from our usual access point by the Legion.

Heading out onto the lake. It’s very shallow here by shore, but this is how we get out to our spot so if it’s no good, we don’t go anywhere.

Definitely not safe yet. When Darrell drilled through he found 4 inches of ice, but at least 2 inches of that was very poor quality. There was at least one spot that looked open. It will be another few days before Fairy Lake is close to safe for ice fishing.

Guelph Lake sure looked pretty today from our access point on Wellington Road 29.

Three inches of ice at the first hole.

Three inches of ice at the second hole. The ice quality looked better here than at Fairy Lake, but Darrell said it felt even more unsafe than the ice in Acton. It shifted a lot. There is much more snow on the ice here than at Fairy Lake.