Ice Conditions - Island Grove/Snake Island area, January 12, 2019

[Vampire With Freckles]

Hi Folks:

Hope all the Lake Simcoe Outdoors board members enjoyed the holidays and are looking forward to the hard water season on Lake Simcoe. This will be my first official ice report for the 2019 season.

We took a drive up to check on the lake/ice conditions this afternoon and we observed the following conditions in the Island Grove area - specficially in the channel area between the mainland and Snake Island - between the end of Woodbine Ave. and the ferry dock at 967 Lake Drive N in Keswick.

The lake in the above mentioned area was frozen over with very rough, irregular and slippery ice. There was no snow cover on top of the ice.

I spoke to someone who was chopping holes in the ice and there was at least
5 1/2 inches of ice in the middle of the channel and at least 4 inches of ice closer to shore on the mainland side of the channel.

I observed via binoculars what appeared to be open water off the SW corner of Snake Island which appeared to stretch out into the main lake as far as I could see with my binocularls.

I also observed 4 pop-up fish huts NE of Roches Point.

I have not personally heard of anyone todate crossing to Snake Island.

Given the ice conditions I observed this afternoon I suspect travel will be difficult on foot without cleats, ski-doo's will have problems due to the lack of snow and 4X4's with have problems due to the rough, slippery conditions.

I personally would not recommend travelling on the ice ANYWHERE on Lake Simcoe without regularly checking the ice thickness and/or conditions.

That's all for now, Nancy

[Sportscamper]

Hey thank you so very much for the ice update.It means a lot to the guys that are two plus hours away and would like to fish that area.

Thanks again Nancy you are awesome.

Fish-On

[Vampire With Freckles]

Hi Sportscamper:

Sending you a PM. Please check your PM shortly.

That's all for now, Nancy

[FishItOff]

Thanks for the update on where the open water is. Cheers! Stay safe every one....