Ice conditions west end slave lake

[wellpastcold]

Just wondering / hoping the ice is going to be off at the west end of Lesser Slave Lake for the May 15 opening day? Any updates?

[Jamie Black R/T]

canyon creek may 2nd ice was still solid to shore and no dark spots showing yet.

it will be a photo finish up there but i think it will clear off just in time.

[Fixer]

We're headed to the east end of that lake north of town for May long. Does the water open up at pretty much the same time everywhere on that lake, or do wind & other things factor in?

[Cal]

We're headed to the east end of that lake north of town for May long. Does the water open up at pretty much the same time everywhere on that lake, or do wind & other things factor in?

East end of the lake quite often has ice flows bunched up near the river mouth for may long. Usualy one can launch a tinner and go around but dont try this with too big of a boat because you quite often cant use the channel and risk grounding. You also risk not being able to get back to the launch if the ice clogs up the river. I usualy just fish from shore and pass the time by watching people damage their boats. The walleye fishing is usualy better in the portion of the river that is open than on the east end of the lake proper (usualy slow for a week or two) I'd go to Canyon or further west if I were you.

[Cal]

sorry double post

[Shmag]

Some years its ice free and some years it has ice chunks floating...I think this years may long will still have lots and lots of ice. As Cal mentioned canyon might be the best bet, if you get out you should be able to get back to the launch as the launch entry is behind a break wall at canyon.

If you do get out on the east end river channel at slave the ice could dam up by time you want to go back in...

[Fixer]

Thanks much Cal & Schmag...good to be advised about those chunks. I've never launched at Canyon, but it sounds like a good option to keep in mind!

[wellpastcold]

Any updates on the west end?