Lake Joseph, Ice conditions

Hi All

Looking to come up for the opener on Lake Joseph and am wondering about the ice thickness and the snow cover.
Has the main lake frozen over?

I've heard second hand that it has been frozen over for a few weeks. I'm sure there is 2+ feet of snow on top of slush as they've been getting hammered all winter. Sorry I won't have any first hand info until Saturday

Thanks, much appreciated.
I think that I will be up Saturday as well.

I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard there are lake trout (lakers) in that lake. I was wondering if anyone has heard about whities in that lake ?

There are whitefish in Lake Joseph. I’ve attached the MNRF netting results from July, 2022:

Although I have never caught one on Lake Joe, I'm surprised not to see walleye on that document

Has anyone got an update for ice conditions and snow depth?
I heard that there was 3' of snow from the Thursday storm and since I am walking out didn't come up for the opener.

This post has been edited by Rik on Feb 16, 2025 - 08:50 am

Most of Muskoka is having a "good" snow year. We have mounds >200cm high and running out of room to put more snow....and we have a pretty decent sized property. We got 30-40cm on Thursday and well, it's still snowing but I would not be surprised if we end up with another 30-40cm before it clears this evening. OPP in Muskoka had also put out a warning about some lake (not sure which lake or if it was a general warning for most Muskoka lakes) having at least 12" of slush under the snow...I think machines were getting stuck if they slowed down or stopped. I am confirm that there is ALOT of slush as of a week ago when I last went out to fish...since then, it's been alot of time clearing snow. But it's windy so hopefully, that takes some snow away from the areas I fish (and not push it all into the areas I fish )

Yep lots of snow and slush. Alot of guys got stuck in the slush on their way out and back. Conditions were even worse today. All the trails I made yesterday were blown over with snow. Took the sled out in the bay and turned around. Almost got stuck but I think the longer track kept me afloat. The fish were there until about 2pm, but not as much commitment this year. I think the weather may have had a factor. Went 2 for 4 with 2 missed on the outside lines that I couldn't get to in time. Maybe next weekend

I didnt bother going there this year due to slush, I’ve fished it enough in the slush exactly like this. In stead I stayed close to home and fished in slush up to my knees anyway, but close to home at least. Fish were picky, I managed 2 small lakers 16” ish and a whitefish and a noon time Burbot. Lost countless bites on bottom, couldn’t dial myself in on the slack bite this time…. My buddy and I both missed so many bites on bottom, likely smaller whitefish (this lake has some schools 6-8” whitefish at times). The one I got was about 20”.

I’ve heard stories of whitefish hanging around certain areas of Jospeh. I’ve heard of massive schools stacked up in the back bays shallows visible from shore in the north end. I’m haven’t seen any pictures though. I’ve heard of walleye there but also never caught or seen them. Burbs for sure.

Edit: I should have stretched that ling out for the derby by the looks of the picture. Wasn’t a huge ling just very long tail.

If you hadn’t run out of reach on your arm, it would have been even longer

WAIT! So we can enter burbot? Is this confirmed? I was thinking this last week but didn't ask as it's not listed as a species under the game fish category. Burbot are awesome fish to catch and eat in the winter. Long live the Ling!

yeah, if burbs are enter-able, then that 30+" maybe a little easier. A herring was entered earlier.

That is deep slush I see in your pic, thanks for the great pic, effort to report it, much appreciated.

Nice catch Mykola, in crazy snow and slush conditions... Brutal!

At the moment, Ling are not included in the species list..

Maybe next year? it's up to you guys..

Yes it seems the 30" plus gamefish has been difficult to achieve this year.

Not sure why no one is getting a pike at that size.. That would seem the easier fish to crack the 30" mark... Other than Drew, with a beauty Laker.

For the 14" panfish, well with Simcoe covered in 2ft plus of snow the jumbos are properly safe for now... But we still have one month left..

Cheers!