Ice free lakes report
 

As we do in the fall for lakes that are frozen, I thought I'd start a thread for lakes that have started to open up. As a kayak fisherman they don't have to be completely ice free just open enough to put the kayak in.

Let's hear what people are seeing out there!

ice
 

3.5 ft of ice out here :)

seeing geese swimming in flooded farm fields:shark:

Slave lake is totally ice free.

In July.

Yeah, pretty much. The last time I saw the ice get this thick (around 5' by closing day) the lake was still covered in ice a week and a half after May long. I heard that a few people had actually crossed the thin span of water around the lake edge in boats, then drilled holes and done some ice fishing on opening week. Unless we get some freaky strong winds I imagine this spring will be much the same.

Definitely later than other years. The Glenmore Reservoir is starting to show little pools and won't be long. I should think that the southern prairie lakes like Keho should be soon..?

Heard that Bullshead was open, but probably winter killed.

Gonna be interesting year at Glenmore. They've dropped the level almost 3 metres to work on the dam. The south side has most of the ice sitting on the bottom with the old river channel running through it.

I was at Bullshead today, totally open. It was very windy, water somewhat muddy.

I didnt get even bite. When you say "probably" winter killed, is it a frequent occurence? I mean they boast its a trophy lake....you cant get trophy fish if the lake is winter killed every few years right?

It does happen even on trophy lakes. Muir lake is an example.

Drove to Lethbridge from Calgary and back today, Chestermere and Keho both have some open water now, so the ice should disappear pretty quickly in the south. It was 27 C when I drove by Keho!

Muir Lake winter killed because they screwed up the aeration. :angry3:

Wabamun 29 Apr
 

Just went for a drive and ice is starting to open up around shore of town marina....still a good foot of ice in the marina bay and looks to be thicker further out. Some nice large cracks though 4-8" on wide it though and all the way through so it's starting...probably a few weeks yet but should be good for may long.

for those that have been to glenmore recently, do you guys think it will be fishable by may 1st (castable pools are good enough for me)? drove by glenmore trail the other day and was surprised how much ice was there, latest ice off i can remember

Cardiff Pond
 

Was out at Cardiff Pond yesterday, still froze over. Some places from bank to bank. A little water showing along a few of the edges. Seen a few floating trout. A few guy fishing what little open water there is. No one catching anything.

BW

travers opened up mostly saturday

Mr fly guy. Was problem with the aerator this winter or the one previous?

West shore by the canoe club should be good to go tomorrow. There is still lots of ice on the shore though. They've dropped the level by about ten feet due to the work on the dam.

Anyone been down to coal lake yet ?

It was two years ago that the aerators at Muir did not do their job well enough to prevent a winter kill.

Lots of open water at the Morinville Reservoir but somewhat murky dark tea coloured water. Fish for an hour yesterday with balance leeches but nary a bite.

A sliver of open water at Cardiff Pond but again nada.

Opening day at Muir today but I think I'll stay home and do laundry! :mad0100:

You could ice fish Muir today, no joke. I live a 1/4 mile away, going to go see who ventured out shortly.

Forecast for 20+ degrees for the next 10+ days straight. The ice will be a photo finish but im wagering it will come off may 16th on most northern lakes.

Around Edmonton the ice has pretty much caught up to when it came off last year(on the trout ponds I am keeping an eye on) and our forecast is amazing. Most lakes will definitely be ice free unless there are areas not getting this same warm weather.

Ventured out to Carson on Saturday. Most of the lake has 30 inches of ice, 2" of slush. Pennisula was open but only a couple feet wide and 100 yards long. shoreline was solid.

Talbot in Jasper is open, just not open to fish for another couple weeks.


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how did you end up making out?! Might go this week...

Yep, this weather will make the difference. Good go see :)

The lakes around Edson are frozen shore to shore. The new boat is going to have to stay in the garage for another couple weeks. :angry3: