Danger!-North Oakland County Ice after last night's rain

[DuckDog]

BE CAREFUL!!! There was 9"-10" of poor ice on my lake yesterday. I have been fishing the area lakes since Jan 1 with about a week off for that last big thaw, and there have been snowmobiles out there this week. I just walked out by my dock to check the ice condition.

Next to shore the spud went through with one whack. It was 1" thick. I expected this.

Then I walked out past the end of the dock and spudded a hole. It looked like at least 7 "without measuring it.

So then I walked out another 50' and gave the spud one good hard whack. THE ICE CRACKED FOR AT LEAST 30 FEET IN ALL DIRECTIONS! For a couple of seconds I thought I was going to get a wet ****! The spud did not go through, so I spudded until it went through. It looked like ther was at least 8" of light colored ice.

I walked over about 50' and gave it another good whack. THE ICE CRACKED FOR A LONG WAYS IN ALL DIRECTIONS AGAIN! It was at least 8" thick there too.

Be careful tomorrow! Leave your ATV at home, spud in front of you as you walk, and wear your inflatable PFD. Remember, anywhere there was much runoff from the storm, or any current it will be even more dangerous. I hope tonight's cold will firm it up some, I really want to fish tomorrow.
Good Luck!
:fish:

[Ed Michrina]

Thanx Duckdog. Although I don't fish that lake, Its great knowing there are people like you (locals who know the lake) helping and attempting to keep fellow sportsman informed and safe.

[kdogger]

Hmmm. I wonder if the ice was just cracking due to stress created by the liquid water that seeped into the cracks freezing late last night and this morning, and then your knock with the spud was just releasing this built-up force.

8 inches is a LOT of ice!!!

[DuckDog]

These were not cracks that were there before. A hard whack with the spud and cracks went out in all directions for at least 30'. I don't remember seeing thick ice crack like that. Shaped like this: *
:yikes:

[jigworm]

The lake I was fishing today was the same way. 6" of good ice and making more like a big dog! Lots of fractures but no water seeping through, cracking and popping all afternoon. Gotta love it!