Well this sucks!

[Slingshot]

January 28, 2013
Winter Activities Update - Ice fishing suspended due to warm weather

For detailed information on winter activity services, including park entry fees, snowshoe and ski rental, hours of operation and contact information on each park, visit the Winter Activity page.

Ice fishing

Shade's Mills Conservation Area - Cambridge Ice fishing supsended due to warm temperatures
Belwood Lake Conservation Area - Fergus Ice fishing supsended due to warm temperatures
Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area - Paris Close

[Slingshot]

I'm starting to wonder if this hobby was worth the investment last 2 years.....it sure has been frustrating to say the least. All the money I have spent for 2 to 3 days a year.....I dunno...

[Pikey]

They were open for a couple of days. I missed it.

[Figgman]

Anyone hear if they will re-open for Saturday with these cold temps?

[Pikey]

February 01, 2013

Too soon to get back on the ice at GRCA parks

The cold weather is back but it’s still not safe to go on the ice at reservoirs in GRCA parks.

The warm, rainy weather earlier this week led to a rapid rise in water levels – as much as two metres -- in reservoirs such as Belwood Lake (Fergus), Guelph Lake, Conestogo Lake (Drayton) and Shade’s Mills (Cambridge).

The warm weather and rising water caused the ice sheets to crack, thin and separate from the shore. There hasn’t been enough time yet to re-establish a safe, consistent ice sheet. Anyone going on the ice risks breaking through a thin spot. Emergency crews trying to rescue someone would themselves be at risk of going through the ice.

The GRCA monitors ice thickness at three of its conservation areas: Belwood Lake, Shade’s and Pinehurst Lake near Paris. They open for fishing when the ice thickness gets to about six to eight inches.

GRCA staff will continue to monitor the ice at all three areas and open the parks when appropriate. Updates are posted in the Newsroom section of the GRCA website.

Anglers should stay off the ice all winter at other GRCA parks such as Guelph Lake. The park is not open during the winter. Ice thickness is not monitored and GRCA staff may not be available to help if an angler runs into difficulty.

[Figgman]

Thanks for the update Pikey. Hopefully conditions will improve and we can get out in the weeks to come. Just get the gear organized and cleaned up this weekend !!

[noseyhunter]

Little farther drive but island lake in orangevile is open and currently holding a pike tournament

[Slingshot]

February 04, 2013

Flood Termination - Water flows receding, ice remains unsafe

The Flood Advisory Message #1 issued on January 30th, 2013 is terminated.

River levels are now receding but will remain higher than normal over the next week as runoff drains through the watershed. The GRCA will continue to monitor river conditions and remaining ice jams that could cause localized flooding.

Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery at this time and when combined with cold, fast-moving water poses a serious hazard. Ice surfaces remain unsafe at the present time. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses. Recreational users are advised to stay off the ice.

Follow our flood messages on Twitter at grca_flood_msg
For more information on river flows, see the River Data section of the GRCA web site.
For information on the Flood Warning system see the Flood Warning System page.
Download a copy of a river safety pamphlet for children.
-30-

Further information: Cam Linwood, GRCA Communications
Phone: (519) 621-2763, Ext. 2251
Fax: (519) 621-4844
E-mail: Cam Linwood

[Pikey]

Not looking good. I was hoping with the cold temps there would be some safe ice for the weekend. Weather forecast calls for rain Sunday and Monday in the Guelph and Cambridge area.