First ice predictions!!!

[Drewski Canuck]

-12 C up north today. Been cold for a good week with days just above freezing if at all.

Should not be too long before the smaller lakes start to freeze. Lots of small water already frozen in the Edmonton area, at least for sloughs.

Anyone have any reports on first ice on the lakes?

Drewski

[bobalong]

My guess is walk on ice on the trout ponds on November 25, big lakes December 9.

I want the snow to stay away until the ice freezes at least 6" because I really want to go ice fishing but.........I also want the snow to come so I can go sledding, also very much like sledding and then in time we will have enough ice and snow to do both.........:sHa_shakeshout:

[Poppa]

When's "Opening Day" for ice season, again? It's like December 11th or something, right? I would think if this weather stays steady, we'll be right around there for most lakes in AB, at least for walk on. I would *LOVE* to be able to hit Gull or Eagle (Strath) on opening day...

[kevinhits]

Looks like we may get some ice to walk on within the next 2 weeks here down south Calgary.

[trophybook]

Pigeon lake had ice 200 meters out from shore by tide creek on Saturday

[SamSteele]

We had 4” on Spring lake by Edmonton on Dec 3 last year. I’m hoping it’s earlier yet this year.

[RavYak]

Should be early I’ve this year, water temps have already dropped significantly and some lakes had a skim of ice weeks ago. First good stretch of cold weather and most smaller to mid size lakes will freeze fairly quick.

[Cory1]

Had enough ice 3 weeks ago to smash the trailer tail lights putting the boat in the water...

Will be walking on ice this weekend without a doubt.

[happyfisher]

dec 16th for me....hope to put shack out if ice is thick enough!!!
or whenever bwack tells me!!!! (hint!!)

[caddisfly7]

I was fishing on Moonshine last year on November 25th, I recall about 6" of ice. It was a heck of a day too, I was pretty fed up with whitetail hunting so I figured I would go check out a couple of the lakes around to see if there was enough ice. Ended up with my five rainbows on the smoker that night and many more released. Pretty excited for a day like that again.

[pinelakeperch]

I was fishing on Moonshine last year on November 25th, I recall about 6" of ice. It was a heck of a day too, I was pretty fed up with whitetail hunting so I figured I would go check out a couple of the lakes around to see if there was enough ice. Ended up with my five rainbows on the smoker that night and many more released. Pretty excited for a day like that again.

Let them brine my man, let them brine :sHa_shakeshout:

[bitterrootfly]

Let them brine my man, let them brine :sHa_shakeshout:

Amen to brining brother, amen!

[caddisfly7]

Let them brine my man, let them brine :sHa_shakeshout:

Yeah that's right they did end up in the fridge that night, Smoker the next day. Whoops

[Davef]

You could walk on a few small lakes around Edmonton by this weekend. Slews have a couple inches already.

[Zip-in-Z]

It's started ..... going down to -17C / -21C with wind chill, tonight!

D.



https://i.imgur.com/SyStQqz.jpg

[FishHunterPro]

Lac la biche looks like it froze over last night

[JSnat]

I'll be out Sunday out west, and Monday by the city. You snooze you lose

[SNAPFisher]

Like Rav I think the earlier, really cold temps helped a lot. September was so cold.

Awesome Zip! That is more than I expected. Thanks for the pics.

I'm thinking I'll be out on a small lake 1-Dec and the larger lakes a week after. Skidoo or quad that is. Could bump the small lake up a week depending on ice reports :)

[Drewski Canuck]

Baptiste is still open, lots of geese on it too!!

Drewski

[FishHunterPro]

The lake must have had an open spot because the wind picked up this afternoon and the ice is broke on the east end of la biche .

[Isopod]

First ice for me will be over the Christmas holidays. Better safe than sorry.

[JareS]

I've been ice fishing since October 10th! But thats up in the mountains so some might consider that cheating :)

[swampy45]

Just punched a hole with the crow bar at the lake at my house. 2”, and super soft and candled ice. Be safe out there if you’re going! This rain and warm weather haven’t helped us out!

[SNAPFisher]

Yep, rain delay. And warm weather next week. Temporary setback.

[WayneChristie]

Lower Bow River yesterday. Ssr under the highway at the Hat solid except the water treatment runoff is solid

[SamSteele]

Makwa Lake in the Meadow Lake Sask area is still open as of this weekend. I thought it would be further along by now.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181113/89907f9edd89ae4ca9710be11e1fa2f3.jpg

[58thecat]

Thin ice with four inches of snow.....be careful....the snow insulates it....got a few shakers already getting to my tree stands that are near beaver ponds etc....

[swampy45]

3" at the lake today. Pretty solid ice. The next day or two the weather wont be kind to us ice folks.

[burgz]

3.5 at a trout pond out by Bragg Creek. Gonna head out in the cold weather tomorrow and give er a go.

[YeeHaw]

Makwa Lake in the Meadow Lake Sask area is still open as of this weekend. I thought it would be further along by now.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181113/89907f9edd89ae4ca9710be11e1fa2f3.jpg

Branch should be good to go

[Kim473]

I'm gonna check a couple spots on the weekend coming. Should be walkable by then on my go to lakes and ponds. Hell, maybe even quadable if the weather cooperates.

[Crankbait]

twin valley frozen all over about half an inch, and PCR frozen all over everything north of the boat launch, open all south of the boat launch and I suggest worms

[Sea Hawk]

Checked skelton and long lake yesterday. 5 to 6 inches at both lakes.

[JBKING]

I was at a couple lakes in the rocky/nordegg area earlier in the week. About 4” of ice. Wondering if there’s any safe ice in the Caroline area with the warmer temps?

[fish99]

chestermere lake looks iced over

[SamSteele]

7” of ice on Lower Chain.

[338Bluff]

Fishing near Elk Point right now 5-6 inches.

[Left_Lane_Outlaw]

Lessard averaging 7 inches looks like full coverage. I didn't cross the shifting ice ridge and check center lake but overall 6.5-7. 95% clear ice.

East Pit Lake the same report minus about an inch.

No fish caught in either lake.