First Ice

[JackM]

Somewhere I read that the water temperature has to get to 39degF before the water can even think about freezing? Whats the lake temperature?

Our ponds and bays in the Rochester area haven't seen a bit of crystals around the edges so I'm guessing ice is a bit late this year Maybe it has been colder up there?

Jack

[Phil]

Somewhere I read that the water temperature has to get to 39degF before the water can even think about freezing? Whats the lake temperature?

Our ponds and bays in the Rochester area haven't seen a bit of crystals around the edges so I'm guessing ice is a bit late this year Maybe it has been colder up there?

Jack

Less than 39 - there has been some ice around the fringes a few times. The swamps and ponds around here have been skimmed over couple of times this season. We'll get there.
It's always colder here than in Rochester (average wise anyhow).

[Tori]

It was 62 degrees in Rochester today...went perch fishing in Irondequoit Bay! Some nice big perch in the Lake Ontario Bays.
Maybe my guess of Christmas Day is not too far off for Black Lake. I know Phill wants the date for freezing moved way up!
Tori

[JackM]

Phil and Tori

When does ice fishing usually become more or less safe on Black Lake? By safe, I mean about 3-4 inches of ice. I assume early Jan?

Jack

[Phil]

December 17th - last year, I had my wheeler on the ice. Generally speaking we have decent ice right after XMAS .

[JackM]

Phil,

That's amazing! Right out of the fall fishing season, then the holidays, then ice fishing! Sounds like almost year round fishing fun.

Do you mostly fish on Black Lake? Do you fish the St. Lawrence?

Jack

[Phil]

Mostly Black Lake but; many of the bays of the St. Lawrence, from Alex Bay to Massena and some other lakes from here to Oneida Lake, near Syracuse.

[bassbuzzer]

Jan. 7th 2012,, I don't see it happing anytime soon..

[Phil]

Jan. 7th 2012,, I don't see it happing anytime soon..

Boy - do I ever hope you are wrong
There is some pretty chilly weather coming late this week - into the weekend and beyond. I won't be surprised to see the lake "skimmed" over by Sunday AM; doubt it will stay that way but am hopeful.

[Tori]

Phil,
Are there any years on record where Black Lake has not frozen over??
Just curious,
Tori

I'm still pulling for a "Santa Claus" rally and the lake freezes on Christmas Day!!

[Phil]

Maybe someone else here knows differently, but I do not know of a year that the lake did not freeze. There have been times when we cancelled the ice-fishing derby because of poor, or the lack of, ice though.

I'm sticking with my December 14th! I might be a day or so late though.

[Phil]

Someone asked for an estimate of ice-making / temp ability of the lake. I found the chart I was looking for.

Here it is.

[bigmouth]

Mid 20's this morning with clear skies and a warmer forcast (40 degrees) for a couple days as per WWNY weather. Not looking good for early ice fishing.

[Tori]

It looks like 5 of our guys in the First Ice Contest have lost. Guys picked Dec. 2,3,4,5,6,7....next pick is on Dec. 12. Phil, who knows the lake very well has chosen Dec. 14 for the first freeze! Phil, what do you think now?
Tori

[bigmouth]

Water is high right now. Last year water was high after early ice then dropped making the shoreline here tricky to walk on and off. Hope that doesnt happen this year.