Gang,

Lately Central Illinois has experienced about a month of freeze/thaw temperatures.  It's not yet to the point where the ice has gone away but it's thinner and I wouldn't even dare try to walk on it.  But in the future I might try to venture out.  My question is this:  Does ice form "layers?"  If so, is this ice weaker than ice from a climate where it remains cold continuously.  Or to put it another way, is 5 inches of freeze/partial thaw/freeze/partial thaw/freeze ice weaker than 5 inches of continuous freeze ice?  My hunch is yes, but I really don't know.

Doesn't really matter how thick it is, it needs to be clear "blue" ice to hold weight.  2" - 4" of good ice will hold up almost any person.  But it depends on how much other weight is sitting on top of it as well.  That foggy frozen slush, grey/white in color just doesn't cut it.

Back in younger days, better known as "Young and Dumb", it only took about 2" of clear new ice to get me on the lake.  Spongy enough that water would slowly fill the depression around the hole.  Back in those days, anything that took more than two whacks with a sharp spud was supposedly safe.

These days, I really don't like to go out until there is a solid 4".  Hopefully there will still be something left after Christmas Eve's little storm.

I will go out on 3 or better. Some thins to consider are the current temperatures, because if you start with 3 and it is a warm day it quickly becomes two and maybe less. I think that dying from falling through the ice is one of the worst ways to die.

Safety has always been of paramount importance to me. And if I don't feel safe, I don't enjoy myself. Clear, really black ice may be the strongest but I'll be darned if it doesn't still give me the eebie jeebies.

Dying in my sleep is my goal (like I have any real choice in the matter).

Here in NH we had about 2 inches of great ice, then 8 inches of snow about 3 weeks ago. That turned the ice an ugly white color and if I was going to go out, would have put me off it for a week or so. Now I'm cutting 7 inches and life is good. 4 wheelers and bob houses on the ice.

As has been said, 3 inches of fresh black ice is fine as long as you're not in a group. I'd stay by myself at all times of 3 inches. If the ice isn't nice and clear, wait til you have 4-5 inches. Just be aware of currents and whatnot. Or just make it easy and let someone else be the guinea pig

Another thing about ice: snow insulates it. If there's a decent amount of snow on top it will be slower to freeze further and slower to thaw. Last March I was ice fishing on a 65 degree day on 9 inches of ice. It takes a lot for it to melt.

soon, soon......Well, I guess some of the smaller lakes are safe, and guys are fishing them. But for me, I will wait for Jan 1. Good luck on the ice gentlemen, and stay safe!

Edit:  Also good luck ladies!

I live in southern NH and the pond I live on (90 acres) has 6 inches of clear blue ice.  I use a power drill with a 3/4 inch bit to drill test holes.  It's quicker and easier than my auger.  Not sure whether the rain we had affected the pond.  Saturday was packed with ice fisherman.  Nothing today, but it is a Monday.

I recently bought a flasher unit and a new ice rod/reel combo (the bait monkey hasn't neglected ice fishing junkies).  These new aquisitions are making the waiting game even more excruciating.  It's awfully tempting to venture out.

Well, I know I said I wouldnt be out until Jan 1, but I bought an underwater camera system and a shanty, so I figure I have to test them out.  That being said, I will be heading out to test some small waters tomorrow, and playing with my new toys.

How did things turn out Swilly?

Well, the first trip out I went to bass lake in bartlett, and managed to catch about 6 small gills and a couple small crappies.  Nothing to keep though.  Yesterday, however, me an some buddys headed up to channel lake on the chain, and caught 4 keeper gills and a keeper crappie.  It was funny though, on the camera, I could see schools of gills slowly cruising around, but very inactive.  It was, however, a nice day and my nieghbor took the fish to make a small batch of soup.  Looking forward to trying some.

Swilly,

Well, with this cold snap, the ice should be thick enough on the small ponds.  Was also wondering how you did?  I went out yesterday.  In some places, it was 5 inches and in others only 2 or 3.  Me thinks there must've been water flowing in from a tile in the thin spots.

Well, on channel lake, on the chain, it was between 6-7 inches. Lots of fish, but very inactive.  I think the bluebird skys didnt help, and it was right after a full moon, so we will see.  Ill be back out this weekend, but I think ill head down to mizonia, or stay local.

Hey Swilly if you hit Mazonia only the North Unit will be open. DNR are still catering to the hunters.

http://www.chicagolandfishing.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=71555

Thanks Uncle Leo, I prefer the North unit anyway, to much hiking in the south unit for me.  Maybe its time for an ATV......

Still Need To Be Careful!

A lot of us have been out on the ice, but it still isn't safe in some places.  Awfully sad story here.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=117198

Still Need To Be Careful!

A lot of us have been out on the ice, but it still isn't safe in some places. Awfully sad story here.

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=117198

Yes, very sad.  Accidents sometimes just happen but I'd hate to be responsible for contributing to someone's death because of recklessness.

The lake where I am fishing has 14 inches of ice.

The lake where I am fishing has 14 inches of ice.

You could probably drive an M1A1 Abrams tank on that ice.

Real good clear ice, and temps back in the teens.