First Ice Predictions

Mudslide · #1 11-03-2011, 07:30 PM

My new Marcum LX-7 is on it's way but I think with the way the weather is changing, there will be fishable ice before it gets here. Who's gonna hazard a guess as to when the ice in the mountains will be good enough to walk on? I drove through to Radium last weekend and there was already ice on most of the ponds.

I'm going to say next Saturday, Nov 12

Gust · #2 11-03-2011, 07:34 PM

I just got back from an overnighter thru 3 southern reservoirs and I thought before we arrived that we'd be dealing with ice at two spots and it was anything but. We need a good daytime and night time drop. It was warm enough last night to sleep with the window open and no heat, at one point I kicked the blankets off. Of course things can change in a breath.

This is one of Jacenbeers threads from last November and it was a very cold November.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=75539

slivers86 · #3 11-03-2011, 07:56 PM

Ill guess November 16th. Still need another 10 days atleast to get it freezing!

pickrel pat · #4 11-03-2011, 08:08 PM

gross november 17 5/8th, net november 15 4/5th.

jacenbeers · #5 11-03-2011, 10:51 PM

Last year was way colder than this so I think it might be really late November before most lakes are safe. Last year on the 3rd weekend of November I went to McGregor with AK47 and it was -25 and it was first ice with most of the lake still soft. A week later and everything was frozen but still pretty thin and sketchy along the dam.

bobalong · #6 11-03-2011, 11:12 PM

If it starts freezing (below 0) for 24 hrs/day and the snow stays away there will probably be walk on ice on the small ponds at least by the end of the month. First ice can always be a little "iffy" so be careful out there.

Mudslide · #7 11-04-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobalong

If it starts freezing (below 0) for 24 hrs/day and the snow stays away there will probably be walk on ice on the small ponds at least by the end of the month. First ice can always be a little "iffy" so be careful out there.

My Arctic Armor Suit floats, but you're right, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Rumtan · #8 11-04-2011, 05:21 AM

My best guess is Dec 4th.....what do we win?

Mudslide · #9 11-04-2011, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumtan

My best guess is Dec 4th.....what do we win?

Bragging rights?

pikehunter1989 · #10 11-04-2011, 07:32 AM

I'm really hoping for november 20th on a couple small trout ponds. Last yr was november 26th and I was suprised to find 6 inches of ice on bellis and chikacoo only had 4 inches. Can't wait for early season trout

WayneChristie · #11 11-04-2011, 07:34 AM

did great on big pike the first week of December last year, dont think it will be that early this time, but I can hope. the dregs of the canals are all frozen over now.

go-big-or-go-home · #12 11-04-2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikehunter1989

I'm really hoping for november 20th on a couple small trout ponds. Last yr was november 26th and I was suprised to find 6 inches of ice on bellis and chikacoo only had 4 inches. Can't wait for early season trout

I agree with you about the 20th. Last 3 years buddy and i have had our season opener on the 20th.

Dan Foss · #13 11-04-2011, 08:29 AM

I think some of the smaller mountain ponds will see ice sketchy enough to walk on by the end of next week. Canmore is forecast for highs of -5 all next week. lakes up by caroline and RMH will probably be not too far behind and probably ready the week following. As for the southern AB res. wont be till dec 9th.

Remember his question was when will the ice in the mountains be good. I remember last year there were guys fishing mountain lakes nearly 3 weeks before any southern ponds were ready and last year was way colder.

Mudslide · #14 11-04-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Foss

I think some of the smaller mountain ponds will see ice sketchy enough to walk on by the end of next week. Canmore is forecast for highs of -5 all next week. lakes up by caroline and RMH will probably be not too far behind and probably ready the week following. As for the southern AB res. wont be till dec 9th.

Remember his question was when will the ice in the mountains be good. I remember last year there were guys fishing mountain lakes nearly 3 weeks before any southern ponds were ready and last year was way colder.

Ya I won't be shocked to see walkable ice on the mountain ponds by next week. It's going to be really cold up high this week.

wildman · #15 11-04-2011, 03:35 PM

a week or two away at most!!!!
and, YES, go WEST young man!!!!!!!!!!

slingshotz · #16 11-04-2011, 03:46 PM

I was out mid-Nov on MacGregor on the ice, it was 1-2 inches thick. But I did fall through eventually and luckily it was only in 2 feet of water.

I didn't learn from last year, I'm going back again mid-Nov

Hunter Trav · #17 11-04-2011, 03:54 PM

Nov.14 was my first outing last year. Never fell in, and was slaying the brookies in the west country. This year I can't get out till at least the weekend of the 19th, once I get back from Jamaica...

WayneChristie · #18 11-04-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slingshotz

I was out mid-Nov on MacGregor on the ice, it was 1-2 inches thick. But I did fall through eventually and luckily it was only in 2 feet of water.

I didn't learn from last year, I'm going back again mid-Nov

let me know when you do, even if I dont catch any fish I can watch you flailing about in icy water!

oh, and eventually help you get out. It will be a good place to test out some of my lures on whites

Gust · #19 11-04-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneChristie

let me know when you do, even if I dont catch any fish I can watch you flailing about in icy water!

oh, and eventually help you get out. It will be a good place to test out some of my lures on whites

the whites are literally in knee deep water,, and not to hijack but make a lure just like a swedish pimple but half the size from some copper piping and a 314 treble hook but it has to be a brass hook.

calgarygringo · #20 11-04-2011, 09:07 PM

I would love yto get out for those shoreline whites as I have never fished them other than jigging with leaches in the summer. I am off to work in Phoenix for a couple of weeks starting next weekend and will be back for the end of the month. I am hoping the ice will be ready by then and maybe I can go out whitefishing with Will without him drowning.

Daceminnow · #21 11-04-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GustavMahler

the whites are literally in knee deep water,, and not to hijack but make a lure just like a swedish pimple but half the size from some copper piping and a 314 treble hook but it has to be a brass hook.

small brass pimple? how about a brass or copper kastmaster Gus. that spoon is generally suited for deeper water than a few feet though. post a pic of your whitefish red green copper pipe special for us.

hockey1099 · #22 11-04-2011, 10:36 PM

Last year i had a boat on Wab on November 11th and was on a pothole trout lake on the 20th.

I hope to be on by the 20th again this year. Safe or not

Alberta Bigbore · #23 11-04-2011, 11:33 PM

im guessing November 10th will see me fishing for Jumbo perch NE of Edmonton

hockey1099 · #24 11-05-2011, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

im guessing November 10th will see me fishing for Jumbo perch NE of Edmonton

Thats just mean. Jumbo Perch? Nov 10th? I need to do more home work and learn where to find perch then big perch then big perch that early in the season. lol

Kim473 · #25 11-05-2011, 05:15 AM

Time to dig out the hard water stuff and get the auger running. Respoll the lines, sort out the tackle box, buy more hooks. All that fun stuff. This is the weekend to get it all ready.

Kim473 · #26 11-05-2011, 08:31 AM

-10 in Edmonton this morning. Yaaaaa

ice · #27 11-05-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim473

-10 in Edmonton this morning. Yaaaaa

Niice

Sundancefisher · #28 11-05-2011, 10:07 AM

Woke up this morning and went to check on Lake Sundance. There is ice now formed under the dock bridges... Should be about a week or less I am guessing.

Guitarplayingfish · #29 11-05-2011, 10:51 AM

Last year was Nov 26.. hoping to get out earlier than that this year.. maybe even in a week or so. If anyone is as crazy as those of use who fish on 2 inchs, BE SAFE.

Gust · #30 11-05-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daceminnow

small brass pimple? how about a brass or copper kastmaster Gus. that spoon is generally suited for deeper water than a few feet though. post a pic of your whitefish red green copper pipe special for us.

Shall do,,, I'm not familiar with kastmaster as I'm trying to not buy stuff and use up all the crap (good crap) that I have. I'll get the pic up later. I think I still have a Lake White fly made from a sock kicking around.