Ice thickness southern lakes

harrydude · #1 02-12-2012, 09:39 PM

So I have been ready on and on about crappy ice in the south...

So let's hear your thoughts on how much ice is safe to drive on this year...

In particular Badger lake .... For the up coming derby

glen1971 · #2 02-13-2012, 06:13 AM

I've seen open water on the north end of Cochrane Lake, and the Waterton Dam looks thin near the boat dock and on the west side...
Lees lake has 13"...

I haven't driven on a lake down here yet this year...

WayneChristie · #3 02-13-2012, 07:37 AM

the places Ive fished on Newell have lots of ice, maybe 20 inches to 2 feet. doesnt mean the whole lake is safe though, look fr other vehicles if you arent sure. not many shacks out this year compared to last

sir pikealott · #4 02-13-2012, 07:43 AM

Crawling still had a good 18" last weekend, lots of people driving on. Further South (East of Lethbridge) was only 8"-10" and some open spots around the shore. A little scary at first but ended up just fine. Trying to get out this coming weekend again. Not sure where yet.

Gators · #5 02-13-2012, 05:00 PM

16" of ice on the south end of Badger on sunday. Did not see any vehicles on the ice.

npauls · #6 02-13-2012, 05:07 PM

I am hoping to get out for some more good perch action down here in the south this week but have a feeling it may be only a week or 2 at most of solid ice. The last time I was out there the ice was just starting to rot a little bit. Like mentioned already, the ice around Lethbridge is only 8-12" depending where you are at.

marty1 · #7 02-13-2012, 05:34 PM

lots of ice at clear lake by stavley the problem is half way through the day about mid lake the lake litterally opened up by 30 feet leaving an channel of open water right across the entire width if your driving on any lake in the south your absolutly nuts

harrydude · #8 02-13-2012, 06:44 PM

My biggest thing is the up coming badger lake derby....

winger7mm · #9 02-13-2012, 10:03 PM

Well after having lrps called twice and ERR called on us once. The emergency rescue was a big waste of 7 important peoples working lives. I hated seeing them come out to see if we were ok even though we had drilled more then a dozen holes and have been fishing since daylight. I hate city slickers just for this fact, they called the ems and, anyone from the outdoors life would realise that if ice fishers are out there its safe. IDIOTS

npauls · #10 02-13-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Well after having lrps called twice and ERR called on us once. The emergency rescue was a big waste of 7 important peoples working lives. I hated seeing them come out to see if we were ok even though we had drilled more then a dozen holes and have been fishing since daylight. I hate city slickers just for this fact, they called the ems and, anyone from the outdoors life would realise that if ice fishers are out there its safe. IDIOTS

I have had that happen a few times also. It is the people across the road from the lake mostly.

The one time I had the police yelling at me from shore trying to get me off. I walked over and politely explained how thick the ice was and that I have been ice fishing for many years without a problem. I told the office to walk out with me to check things out for himself but he wouldn't take a step on the ice. He said that if he had gotten another call that day he would have to escort me off of the ice. I thanked him for his concern and walked back to my gear and kept fishing.

winger7mm · #11 02-13-2012, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npauls

I have had that happen a few times also. It is the people across the road from the lake mostly.

The one time I had the police yelling at me from shore trying to get me off. I walked over and politely explained how thick the ice was and that I have been ice fishing for many years without a problem. I told the office to walk out with me to check things out for himself but he wouldn't take a step on the ice. He said that if he had gotten another call that day he would have to escort me off of the ice. I thanked him for his concern and walked back to my gear and kept fishing.

The lrps member that responded to the calls was a good guy. he knew the ice was good as a fisherman. but because they were called he had to atleast show up. I tried to get him to fish had a hole and a beer for him but he just started his 12 so no dice lol. Like I said good guy hope he comes out when hes not working. He seems alot better then some of the guys I met out there lol

falroy · #12 02-13-2012, 10:39 PM

ice was 18" SW of the boat launch at badger, with 4 or 5 trucks on the ice. this was sat 11th.

gprime27 · #13 02-13-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npauls

I have had that happen a few times also. It is the people across the road from the lake mostly.

The one time I had the police yelling at me from shore trying to get me off. I walked over and politely explained how thick the ice was and that I have been ice fishing for many years without a problem. I told the office to walk out with me to check things out for himself but he wouldn't take a step on the ice. He said that if he had gotten another call that day he would have to escort me off of the ice. I thanked him for his concern and walked back to my gear and kept fishing.

Yup you really do give me that headache