Sylvan Lake Ice – Final Update – Dec 10th – Another Surprise

[Zip-in-Z]

Was -3 and gusting close to 50 km/h earlier today, we need more cold weather or no ice fishin here on opening day.

Z-z


Working on the New Light House
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1030610_zps5ntnexlb.jpg

Main Beach

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1030613_zpsoon6mxpk.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1030614_zpshsrdvcfj.jpg

Pier

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1030618_zpsfzcwlqtx.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1030615_zpsumpyscoz.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1030616_zpsashrstr6.jpg

[Supergrit]

Think a belly boat would still work

[Zip-in-Z]

I plan to take a few more pics on Friday or Saturday after we get a few days of this cold weather and will update this thread.

Cheers

.

[1bluZebec]

Can't wait to hear.

[Kim473]

Will be hard to form ice if the wind keeps up.

[Zip-in-Z]

Will be hard to form ice if the wind keeps up.


No wind here at the moment ... will take a few pics today and update everyone.

.

[Zip]

Thanks for the pictures Z-Z...it's -14 now at my place, water in the Heart River in our front yard is very hard...and the snow is white...thanks for sharing!
Zip:)

[Zip-in-Z]

The first set of pics were taken on Tuesday, Nov 17th.


Today I'm depressed ..... got a bad cold/flu, that shot didn't work again this year, no trout fishin this weekend!

Went to the store to get meds... took these pic's (Nov 20th.) we need more lower temps, unfortunately, forecast is for +6C on weekend, but next week we could be down to -20C .... YES !

I'll post some more pics next Wed/Thursday.

Z-z



.
Same Location as Tuesday
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/1_zpsekmeuhjr.jpg

Gate was Open - Who wants to be the first to Drive On or Dive In ?

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/2_zpsfihpfguk.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/3_zpsjiugmks1.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/4_zps9ipkasye.jpg

Norglenwold Boat Launch

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/5_zps0lubuj28.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/6_zpsr08w0llo.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/7_zpsfnr2g7x3.jpg

Marina Bay (No Fishin Allowed)

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/8_zpsljeczamj.jpg

[SNAPFisher]

Thanks Zip! Next week will be a difference maker. I'm still hoping for Gull on opening weekend. Sylvan...pretty iffy.

[bwackwabbit]

Snap, have you seen Gull recently?

I haven't had a chance to do my usual pre-season drive by and was looking for feedback on how it's progressing.

[Bonescreek]

:)

Pretty Cool!
I don't think even the Discovery Channel has step by step pictures or a
documentary of how a big lake freezes.
lol. :)

Neat.

[Nester]

Nicely done!~





WHoot!! Lots of snow on Monday.....should help speed things up.

[Brandon5555]

It's been getting damn cold around red deer at night. Coldest I've seen in the past week is minus 16

[SNAPFisher]

Snap, have you seen Gull recently?

I haven't had a chance to do my usual pre-season drive by and was looking for feedback on how it's progressing.

Actually, no. I drive by every week but it is normally in the dark. Hmmm.. tell you what. Dark or not I'll stop a Wilsons tonight and get a report on any ice.

[SNAPFisher]

Forgot to mention that I was out at the cabin on Saturday. Upper and Lower Mann lakes are completely frozen over. I did not test the ice depth.

Now that I think about that is not impressive. It's like saying you saw two sloughs that are frozen :(

[Donkey Oatey]

:D

Don't think to many folks will be out on Dec 10 for opening day.

It is going to take a lot more cold weather and calm for the ice to really form. Plus 6C today forecasted.

[Fishslayer99]

Should be plenty of ice for opening day IMO the daytime high temps don't last long, it's the mean temperature over a 24 hour day that makes the difference. No less than 8" by the opener likely closer to 12" but that's just my thoughts🍻

Also just to avoid confusion Sylvan is closed until Dec 10 so the opening day for fishing will be December 11th.

[bwackwabbit]

A storm is raging and the ice is slowly taking over. Old Man winter is ready after a slow start...

Figured I'd give Zip-in-Z a hand since he's busy w/the new toy.

In Town by the GTI
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/23/ea430c4bee59e526747cc31972147bd8.jpg

Half Moon Bay...
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/23/5e6973893d569debff8e4dfd74700fe8.jpg

And Everyone's Favourite RR23...
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/23/9b87cbf9eac3dcf278555700642e77f4.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/23/afac36044a2890f37643b8fd757509de.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/23/4c666a103fb0364cbc184f21af2aad52.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/23/1da2ce244e82fe7c384357cf1a8605d2.jpg

[fish99]

thanks for the info

[Zip-in-Z]

BWabbit ... you must of got off work early today? My gear is all ready for our weekend adventure to "Troutville".

Plan to do a recce around Sylvan and post some pics on Thursday, perhaps Brownlow's, too. Forecast is for -20C on Wednesday, that should help grow some ice.

.

[bwackwabbit]

BWabbit ... you must of got off work early today? My gear is all ready for our weekend adventure to "Troutville".

Plan to do a recce around Sylvan and post some pics on Thursday, perhaps Brownlow's, too. Forecast is for -20C on Wednesday, that should help grow some ice.

.
Just maximizing my "Productivity" on the drive home...lol.

Looking forward to further reports and hitting the ice this weekend!

[Zip-in-Z]

Nov 25th

It was -23C this morning, -31C with a wind chill, we now have some nice clear ice, however, there’s still lots of open water.

If I find some time tomorrow I plan on having a look at Gull – Brownlows and will update accordingly.

Some pic's from today ....

Z-z


Main Townsite - Now ice'd over ....



http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/1._zpshaznxhaz.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/2._zpsolmp7gro.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/3._zpsldezp2sr.jpg

Norglenwold - Ice'd Over

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/4._zps5gct4kyk.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/5._zpsrhmwz0kn.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/6._zpsjg6e3hdq.jpg

RR23 - South

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/7._zpsl9ygzlg6.jpg

RR23 - North - That's Open Water

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/8._zpsjzrf8qyd.jpg

SunBreaker - Open Water

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/9._zpsxz7udjjt.jpg

Palm Bay - Open Water

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/10_zpsszf4giwo.jpg

East End Towards Half Moon Bay

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1030665_zpsya5z5vsr.jpg


.

Sharpen those hooks fella's, 16 Days and counting down until Opening Day .... Dec 11th !

.

[SNAPFisher]

Looks good Zip! Thanks!

I'll be at Gull on opening weekend. It always freezes faster and more than Sylvan.

[1bluZebec]

Thanks a lot for the update. Couldn't of been any better:) it has come quote bit from shore since your last update when the wind was out delaying the ice from forming. I'm thinking it going to be fished opening day one way or another:sHa_shakeshout:

[Zip-in-Z]

Stopped here on the way home from Gull ... it was -20C last night, very little to no open water, Sylvan's 99.9% ice'd over.

Z-z

.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/a._zps25ub0as3.jpg

Nice Clear Ice ...
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/c._zpsa3plav6j.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/b._zpskajoxtrq.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/d._zps1rsic3gt.jpg


Now it needs to grow .... 15 days to go!


.

[SNAPFisher]

:47b20s0:

[1bluZebec]

:sHa_shakeshout: looking mighty fine:happy0034:

[Zip-in-Z]

December 02nd

Another bty day, +2C, went to test old Jiffy and the ice out at Norglenwold.

It’s only been 7 days (Nov 25th) since this part of the lake ice’d over, I was expecting to find 3-4” but was somewhat surprised. As well, the ice didn’t even crack it was silent. Spent a bit of time just exploring what hides below, the ice is clear as glass, kids were chucking rocks and skating earlier, seen 5-6 small Whites in about 4 fow zipping away when I got close.

I was concerned about the ice thickness, however, this is definitely a good start to opening day on Dec 11th ... don't forget to get some ice cleats!

Took a bunch of pics …. Enjoy.


Ice Ridge on Road to Lake

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/1_zpsuon6nkly.jpg

Glass ... Rocks & Kids !

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/2_zpsaouasrjz.jpg

Out to North end Lake

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/3_zpsfo0vzjyh.jpg

Bottom in 4 FOW

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/5_zpsljr9yyd3.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/4_zpss2dslyq7.jpg

Lots of Junk, Too!

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/6_zpsuo8ozhtd.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/7_zpsvvsaplzy.jpg

About 70 Yds Out

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/8_zps7eaq8ubm.jpg

Bouy-O-Bouy

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/9_zpsqyy7zdoa.jpg

That's 7" of Clear Ice!

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/10_zpsudvzykas.jpg


Nine days and counting down ...
.

[Zip-in-Z]

So far on predictions:

9.0 inches - SNAPFisher
8.5 inches - yoteblaster
8.0 inches - 1BluZebec
5.0 inches - Kim473 (just took down the middle between 4-6)
3.5 inches - Kevinhits
0.0 inches - Zip-n-Z

This for 12-Dec.

yoteblaster, I rounded to the nearest .5 inch. Let's not get too crazy. :)

Zip, those pics are doctored...you just didn't want anyone to know you are already ice fishing on Sylvan :fighting0030: (joke of course)


May have to bow to Snap, Yote or Blu ... this time.

[SNAPFisher]

Excellent update Zip! That is some amazing clear ice. Must be really something in person.

My 9 inch guess is for Gull. Sylvan I expected less. Might just be good for Sylvan afterall :)

Above average temps forecast. Hopefully grows a bit more on the overnight temps.

Thanks for doing this.

[waterninja]

Why do you refer to Dec 11 as "opening day"?

[Zip-in-Z]

Why do you refer to Dec 11 as "opening day"?

Hey Ninja .... good question, cut and paste from the Reg's for PP2, now everyone knows.



Sylvan Lake & tributaries:

Walleye limit 0; Pike limit 3 over 63 cm; Perch limit 5; Lake Whitefish limit 5; Burbot limit 2 (Burbot limit 0 - Feb. 1 to Mar. 31)

The portion of lake southwest of a line drawn from the northwestern most tip of the landfill pier in Sylvan Lake Provincial Park located at NW 33-38-1-W5M due northwest to the point on the shoreline where the boundary between the town of Sylvan Lake and the Summer Village of Norglenwold meet the lake located at NE 32-38-1-W5, including all tributary streams.

Apr. 1 to June 30 and Nov. 1 to Dec. 10 – CLOSED the remainder of the lake.

Apr. 1 to May 14 and Nov. 1 to Dec. 10 – CLOSED.

May 15 to Oct. 31 and Dec. 11 to Mar. 31 – OPEN ... for ICE FISHING.


Link .... http://albertaregulations.ca/pdfs/fishing-regs/Fish-Management-Zone2-Parkland-Prairie.pdf


.

[kinwahkly]

Thanks for you're updates, much appreciated.

[degasvegas]

Those are some excellent pictures, thanks for the updates man. I don't usually go fishing down there, but its fun to see guys having a good time on the hardwater.

[oscar]

Thx, does anyone know how pigeon lake is doing?

[Adwittoutdoors]

I'm going to check out Pigeon either tomorrow or on Friday. I will report on it then.

[Zip-in-Z]

Excellent update Zip! That is some amazing clear ice. Must be really something in person.

My 9 inch guess is for Gull. Sylvan I expected less. Might just be good for Sylvan afterall :)

Above average temps forecast. Hopefully grows a bit more on the overnight temps.

Thanks for doing this.


Tks Snap ... for those who plan on making a trip to Sylvan on or after Dec 11th, it doesn't look like snow is in the long range forecast, I recommend a decent set of Ice cleats, got these at Cdn. Tire last year, they sure saved me from getting a header and/or breaking something.

Z-z

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1100976_zpsafcc2e97.jpg


.

[1bluZebec]

It is the best ice I've ever seen around Edmonton in at least five years:sHa_shakeshout:can't wait to fish on it:47b20s0:

[latenite]

Thanks Zip for the updates, always enjoy your threads and pics.

[Zip-in-Z]

Dec 10th – Last Ice Update

We got a bit of new snow yesterday, the lake is no longer clear as glass, went out to Norglenwold this afternoon watched a fellow drive off the ice pulling a trailer. Drove on, walked out drilled a few holes about 100 yds out, found 8” of ice.

Went over to RR23, it’s a different story, ice has separated about 100 yds out and there’s some open water. Spoke to a young fellow who also was checking ice conditions that advised he seen F&W visit some guys who were fishing off the main pier this morning in a double wide tent, I imagine someone got a ticket, seasons closed until Dec 11th.

If your planning on heading out over the next few days, be careful, better safe than sorry, a fish just isn’t worth it.

Some pics from today …

Z-z


New Blanket Snow

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/1_zpslb49ebqf.jpg

Norglenwold Lake Access Road

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/2_zpsk0jhiysi.jpg

Drove on Parked on Shoreline

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/3_zpsxuxdkd9b.jpg

First Shack Out

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/4_zpsdevym7hg.jpg

Someone must of been Ice Diving

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/5_zpskpoikngp.jpg

100 Yds Out

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/6_zps59nh0m5l.jpg

8" of Clear Ice

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/7_zps8zsuywqc.jpg

Different story out at RR23 - Ice Separation & Flood Water

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/8_zpsjv1lybdr.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/9_zpscuhfxuoz.jpg

Don't need your Auger here.


http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq10/Boomko1/10_zpsyusdslai.jpg


Good luck tomorrow ....

.

[SNAPFisher]

Thanks Zip! I bet I'll find 9 inches at Gull on Saturday. Please, no autographs. please...get those people back!.... :)