Coney Island Bridge

The bridge to Coney is supposed to come out today-weather permitting???

On my way home this morning it looks like there may still be some ice in Manitou.

For everyone else boating East and South of there no ice.

Yesterday morning the lake was glass-temp was -3c and we made 1/4" ice. I had to boat over to Shammis Narrows travelling on the South side of the Barrier Islands and 50% of the water was covered in ice.That ice was gone later in the day. With today's East wind and rain in forecast that should take care of the last remaining ice in Manitou.

Boating Season

Made it all the way to Bare Point this morning and did not see any ice!!!!
However on the way home in the stretch between Bare Point and Hades we spotted a fox walking on the water?? as we got closer he was actually on a piece of ice the size of a football field,this had broken off from the Manitou.
There is still ice in the Manitou, but the rest of the lake is open!!!We heard there were 35 boats fishing in Keewatin Channel on 8th.
Turkey Vulchers are back but still no sign of the Loons yet.
The lake level has risen slightly-still a chore getting in and out of the boat from stationary dock.
Will be back for Fall Freeze up!!!

1st boat ride

This afternoon we launched boat to see how far we could get!!
Pushed through black/mushy/candled ice about 5" thick. The 2 Islands in picture are in a straight line between Bald Island and the Red/Green Bouys @ Square Island with a depth of 15' That is the NE tip of Queer at left corner of picture-had to turn around at the 2 Islands as ice was white and thicker-could not push through it-rode up on top.
We have -7c in forecast for a couple nights this week as well as cooler days but still think Bare Point by 14th.

Laurensons Lake

Ice is now gone on Laurensons Lake(This is 7 days earlier than the earliest recorded by our friend), Usually when this happens we can boat to Bald Island,Not so this year as the only open water around here is at our dock and across to East Allie Island,otherwise Black Ice all around.
The rule of thumb is we can boat to Bare Point within 7 days.But with no current this Spring,and cooler nights(made ice again last night and we were only-1c but calm).
Should make Bare Point by 14th. No pictures as not enough water for floats yet.

Spring Thaw

This picture was taken on March 22nd, It's French Narrows looking North @ Dorian Isl.Since then the open water has quadrupled in size.Not as many Geese hanging around as in past Springs.Took the truck off the ice on 17th,plane is still on ski's but not enough ice @ shoreline to support her on and off the dollie.Took quad off on 23rd and as of the 25th I will not walk on ice.On the surface it appears melting has stalled,but is eroding from underneath. Killed 1st mosquito on 23rd.When I get the call that ice is out on Laurensons Lake I will do another post as we open 1 week later.The Prop Shop is going to do a good business this year with low levels!!

Ice

Made our trip to Bare Point in Sidekick on 19th with no problems.Then 24hrs later covered the same area by quad and there were 8-12" diameter holes in the road. This morning will be our last quad trip to Bare Point as we have to build a bridge to get from shore to ice.The ice has lifted and eroding fast from underneath at Landings.
We fished(slow and only small ones) the Elbow with 16" ice,French Narrows had 14" and Andrew Bay only had 10". The surface is honeycomb and some areas of old ice road it is like driving on cobblestone.
In Moore Bay you could troll from the quad along ice road in places.
I'm with Peter-boating by April 7th.
There is a pair of Snow Geese hanging around French Narrows, and a bumble bee was buzzing around us while fishing.Also seen a butterfly.

End of Winter

With past weeks warm weather and heavy rain on 12th all the snow has melted off the ice and sunny all week the ice has turned black and getting mushy. Eroding both from underside and top side.
I took the truck off 16:00 on 17th,This is the earliest for us. Will travel with Sidekick today and tomorrow and then quad after that??
Geese arrived on 16th as well as black flys, Seagulls,Golden eye ducks and Grackles on 16th .
Coming through Dorian Marsh at dusk last night I counted 5 beavers on the ice-first time seeing that.
The coons have been here every night cleaning up the birdseed underneath the feeders,making lots of noise and giving the cat a hard time.
At the rate we are going should be boating in April.
This picture was taken on 13th North side of Dorian Marsh from the truck-showing ice road.