When are southern AB lakes ice free?

[scel]

My apologies---I am not an ice angler. As a kid growing up in Red Deer, I remember that Sylvan Lake would usually have significant ice all the way through April, but weather patterns have changed over the last 40 years.

We are in for another warm spell in Calgary. In Lethbridge, the temperatures will stay above freezing (even at night) for the next week or so.

Will the southern AB lakes (PP1 and ES2) be ice-free enough for canoe/pontoon before the 6week closure starting on March 16?

[TROLLER]

NOPE Usually around april 15 give or take a week.

[pinelakeperch]

Very, very unlikely.

[pikergolf]

I have been thinking about the closures lately. When I used to target whites, the absolute best time was right after ice out and then for about a month. I wonder if they would consider letting white fish be targeted during the fishing ban. Would take some pressure off the trout lakes.

[Scott N]

This spring was the earliest that I can ever remember the ice coming off the lakes... my buddy and I were belly boating on Beaver Mines Lake by the third week in March. I can't ever remember the ice coming off that early, usually it's after April 1. Our winter this year has been colder than last.

[npauls]

Last year i had my walleye boat out at the beginning of march and fished from march all the way into late november/early december last year.

If the weather stays warm down here i will do something similar.