First (SAFE) Ice Predictions?? - Page 2

TROLLER · #31 12-03-2023, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archerynut

Would Crawling Valley be safe first thing in the morning after a cold night? I'm just itching go get out.
Minimal gear with hand auger?

I wouldn't do it. Too early and warm weather again this week. Gonna have to be a little more patient this year me thinks.

archerynut · #32 12-03-2023, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TROLLER

I wouldn't do it. Too early and warm weather again this week. Gonna have to be a little more patient this year me thinks.

I know this is by far the smartest decision. I'll sit tight and daydream about the first morning out.

eagleflyfisher · #33 12-03-2023, 07:41 PM

Just came back from moms in coledale, took backroad going east at Vulcan and down over mcgregor, open water under bridge going over also an open water patch 100ft off shore.
Ice was wind blown and clear w some big cracks and heaves.
Couldn’t tell you thickness but I wouldn’t go out there!
1 guy fishing under bridge.

yoteblaster · #34 12-03-2023, 10:22 PM

Lots of people skating on Sylvan yesterday. Could hardly believe my eyes

burnme · #35 12-04-2023, 12:16 AM

Apparently there were tents on the north end of gull today, not sure if they were reported or not? A few days before the season opens there!

SNAPFisher · #36 12-04-2023, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoteblaster

Lots of people skating on Sylvan yesterday. Could hardly believe my eyes

That surprises me as well!
Is the lake completely frozen over?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WayneChristie · #37 12-04-2023, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagleflyfisher

Just came back from moms in coledale, took backroad going east at Vulcan and down over mcgregor, open water under bridge going over also an open water patch 100ft off shore.
Ice was wind blown and clear w some big cracks and heaves.
Couldn’t tell you thickness but I wouldn’t go out there!
1 guy fishing under bridge.

I dont think it ever freezes under the bridge, great spot for busting walleye poachers

keeks · #38 12-04-2023, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnme

Apparently there were tents on the north end of gull today, not sure if they were reported or not? A few days before the season opens there!

This forum is great. Even though I've never fished Sylvan I would have thought it was open. Checked regs and Boom! There it is. Is the lake closed for the Walleye spawn?

k

Poppa · #39 12-04-2023, 02:47 PM

walleye spawn in springtime, I believe... that's the April-May closure. Not sure what the fall closure is for, exactly.... related, I've heard there's a good 6-7" of black ice on Gull. Shack operators are readying for the weekend right before Christmas...

eagleflyfisher · #40 12-04-2023, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneChristie

I dont think it ever freezes under the bridge, great spot for busting walleye poachers

I have seen it froze at some point but it sure stays open awhile.
Maybe because lake is compressed there plus wind ? Idk

Curtsyneil · #41 12-04-2023, 09:40 PM

Both sylvan and gull are closed till dec11th I believe. It’s bin like this for years. It’s definitely not because the walleye spawn that happens in spring. I’m think it’s a safety issue why lakes are closed till the middle of December.

chucklesthe3rd · #42 12-04-2023, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtsyneil

Both sylvan and gull are closed till dec11th I believe. It’s bin like this for years. It’s definitely not because the walleye spawn that happens in spring. I’m think it’s a safety issue why lakes are closed till the middle of December.

Helps with the whitefish spawn I'd say as well. Letting the whites spawn with no pressure from anglers is crucial especially with the amount of pressure they get.

SNAPFisher · #43 12-05-2023, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeks

This forum is great. Even though I've never fished Sylvan I would have thought it was open. Checked regs and Boom! There it is. Is the lake closed for the Walleye spawn?

k

As above, for the whitefish spawn. And because those lakes get hammered for whites in particular, that is also why it is only limited to certain lakes.

RDFisher · #44 12-06-2023, 09:24 AM

I've fished a couple of smaller lakes in Central AB so far, catching pike and perch. Good 5" of clear ice, nice and strong. Sylvan and Gull and any other large lakes (e.g. Buffalo) I would not trust yet (even by the 11th I think it will be iffy), but there is fishing to be had if you have to scratch that itch.

salmonfan · #45 12-06-2023, 10:25 AM

Anyone driven by or been to Chain? Any ice or are we a long way off still?

Fradaburidi · #46 12-06-2023, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salmonfan

Anyone driven by or been to Chain? Any ice or are we a long way off still?

I was there (Chain Lakes Reservoir) Nov 25 believing it was going to be open water but it was frozen, I would say 1'' or so. I don't know how it is now but I'm curious too.

burnme · #47 12-06-2023, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeks

This forum is great. Even though I've never fished Sylvan I would have thought it was open. Checked regs and Boom! There it is. Is the lake closed for the Walleye spawn?

k

I always thought it was to keep the not so bright safe!

Sea Hawk · #48 12-07-2023, 10:14 AM

Fished Calling yesterday. 6 inches at shore.5 inches about 100 yards out. 4 inches 200 yards out.

SNAPFisher · #49 12-07-2023, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Hawk

Fished Calling yesterday. 6 inches at shore.5 inches about 100 yards out. 4 inches 200 yards out.

Wow, not bad. Lack of snow is helping. At least it is a start!!

Red Bullets · #50 12-07-2023, 07:10 PM

Talked to a F&W officer that patrols Pigeon Lake today and he told me there is 3 to 4 inches of ice. He suggested that people stay off of the ice until at least the end of the month or a week or two into January. He mentioned some people have been skating and walking out but he is concerned that there is going to be someone going through. The warm weather is making the ice questionable.

graybeard · #51 12-08-2023, 10:43 AM

Waiting for ice to freeze is like watching paint dry....lol

Like others, I am itching to get out. CVR is a favorite location of mine. I have re-organized my tackle box a couple of times and it is never right....

If I was a betting man, I hope CVR will be accessible by Jan 2024 at least to walk on?

Has anyone been in the area, any updates?

Thanks...

Poppa · #52 12-08-2023, 01:40 PM

right now, the wife and I are planning to spend New Year's Eve on the ice at a southern reservoir, but man the forecast isn't making it a for-sure thing. We've got a hotel as a back up just in case, but we'd sure prefer to camp out on the ice. I would take one good week of -20 overnights to lock it up good and make some ice, and then it can go back to temps around 0 and everything will be fine....