Hey guys was just wondering how the ice conditions were on lake muskoka.
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Hey guys was just wondering how the ice conditions were on lake muskoka.
I will call the inlaws tomorrow to find out. I am getting itchy, but am a bit worried about how much snow is on the ice (if there is any ice yet), as it can slow things down a bit.
i check on friday and there was 2 inches in gravenhurst bay and 2 feet of snow and big lake was still open
The condition: The ice is bad and the snow is good.......
Yep stay off.. They've had some cold weather but the recent dumping of snow means it will be a while before the cold can get down into the ice and freeze more. It will be a slush factory too.Quote:
Originally Posted by seabast
I crossed a fairly big pond yesterday while snowshoeing, the slush was as bad as it can get. The first ice on the big lakes won't be fun this year!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fionn
I am on Gowan Island just opposite where the Muskoka River enters Lake Muskoka. Yesterday morning the ice in our bay was 4`thick and the slush on top was almost frozen. Further out, in the main body of the lake, the ice was 2 1/2`thick with 3" of shush on that, covered by about 8" of snow. It seems to be slowly thickening by about 1/2" per night. I think that the only way we will get safe ice in the short term is for the slush to eventually freeze.
I just checked the ice again this morning. A few sketchy spots but overall the slush is freezing nicely and it may be walkable tomorrow (with extreme caution). If so I can get my trail to Indian Head marked and start packing down the snow and remaining slush so the trail can thicken up.
Small world, I follow your marked trail every year to head back to the marina on dirty days. But i always wonderig If you are walking all the way to the marina at first ice, or you use an hovercraft? SeabastQuote:
Originally Posted by Bob T.
Be careful out there bob, I checked the ice at the beach today and there was a inch of white ice, a layer of water and an inch of black ice which was covered in about 6" of snow.
Anyone know the conditons on gull lake in gravenhurst never fished it might try it
I don't fish it either but I drive above it every day of the week and it has been frozen for at least three and half weeks now so it has to be ok to walk on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by lovefishing
Absolutely I walk it first. I take a cordless drill with a spade-bit that I have marked at 1 inch increments and I drill every 20 - 30 ft to check for depth. I have a fan-boat but I am very reluctant to use it when there is slush because if it gets bogged down and stuck I am in a bit of a bind.
Which beach, Johnstons Park? I was out in snowshoes on my trail today to pack down the snow and slush but couldn't get further than yesterday. I did see someone on a sled cross back and forth from Browning Island to the mainland to the south of us (not within my comfort zone at all).Quote:
Originally Posted by LeavonP
bowyers. ah yes i forget what that guys name is off the top of my head, but know he lives on browning all year on the north east side. ice will be a lot better over there as it froze later and didn't get the dumping of snow. when i was out checking today, i noticed a lot of blow holes as well which are extremely dangerous.
Out by horseshoe island on Muskoka. It just closed up the other day. And now it has dark spots everywhere so. Slushy and little ice
I have no idea about gull lake. Might go check it on Friday.
So, just to clarify, Muskoka is NOT safe yet?
Was thinking of heading out this weekend possibly for some walleye.
If you want to walk on "safe" ice the answer is no, it's not ready yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by coolhunter89
Definitely not safe.Quote:
Originally Posted by coolhunter89
John archer is the guy I think u meaning on browning island
Yeah. I was talking to John yesterday and it was him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Muskokaguy20
Hey Bob, did you make it to Indian head?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob T.
Nope. Didn't even try. I heard that Russ Black was going to try to ski over yesterday. I'll give him a call later and see how it went.Quote:
Originally Posted by seabast
With the mild weather yesterday, the whole lake is now a shush bucket. Hopefully the slush will freeze up next week.
Ya everywhere on the three lakes have big dark pockets of slush. Let's hope it gets cold soon
Supposed to hit -20 or so mid next week.
won't matter how cold it is with that much snow on it.. cold won't touch it. need it to rain or flood right to the top.
Ya definitely leavon. The lakes r crap until we get that rain. Which sucks as I'm off until the 6 th of Jan
foot of ice up here boys :)
That's fine, the longer we wait the bigger they get!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by blumpkinturlet
I have a guy that is taking me off the island in his air boat tomorrow. He will run over my trail route a few times to pack down the snow and slop. That should let it freeze up by next Tuesday or Wednesday.Quote:
Originally Posted by Muskokaguy20
checked ice today. Did not make it far. Lots of snow and slush. Turned around after I could punch through in one hit. Was less then 2 inchs of ice. This ice has been there for 2 weeks, not making any ice right now.
That is what I figured it would b like as well fisabout. Where on Muskoka did u check ? I'm down in Gravenhurst and there was a few inches a week ago in Gravenhurst bay. But who knows now
I have been fishing on the same 3" of black ice since nov. 28th. it was used to be bare ice, now is cover with 20" of snow. I are not making any progress, will take a while before we go out with the sled!!!
I checked near walkers point side , had 3 good inches a ice but lot's of slushy slop that needs to tighten up ....Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob T.
Temperature forecast looks great i agree with some could be fishing by end of the week safely ! But if anyones out and about the crown land between the narrows is being filled with snow from request from snob owners of cottages ,so if anyone has plans to use that jump over to sled out gear and huts , JUST FYI Alot of bubblers got snipped last year around that area because of the traffic and issues it creates with land owners . With the snow that already piled in between land owned by private folks and crown land its almost impassable as of now !
Be safe
I walked out today and areas where the water / slush had worked its way to the surface have frozen down about 2 1/2", with water below that and ice below that. My concern is the areas that remain covered by a foot of snow. Can't tell the ice thickness under that very easily. By tomorrow the bare patches should be frozen right through.Quote:
Originally Posted by MANCAVE
Ya still to sketchy out there for a fish dinner for me. Probably gonna wait till the new year
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thum bup: I second that ! with the Temps we have been getting with the short term and long term forecast we are in great shape for some great safe ice.:fish::fish::fish:Quote:
Originally Posted by Muskokaguy20
Merry Christmas Everyone
I travelled from Gowan to Indian Head Marina by airboat yesterday morning and we found a little slush under snow and in a few spots we crushed through some frozen slush to about an inch of water over the ice. Never broke through the ice below. I am walking across Friday and checking ice conditions along the way. I expect to be sledding that day, but only if the ice is good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Muskokaguy20
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob T.
Be safe BoB cant wait to hear back from you with great news that your on your sled and the ice has taken shape !:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
That sounds like good news bob. Hope u get across safely
Well the news is getting better. I walked across to my place this afternoon, following the air boat path that had packed down the snow and flattened the slush. I was drilling holes all the way, especially in areas I know to be sketchy. In all areas of my trail, I got at least 4" of ice, usually over 5". There are two sections with 4 - 6" of slush but that might even stiffen up tonight. I'm going to sled into town tomorrow. Off my trail, I have no idea. Also saw two guys ice fishing about 500m west of summer island.
Great, time to move elsewhere I guess...
Great news bob. There is a shack in gravenhurst bay as well
Any new word on the ice thickness? I go out from Milford bay and would like to get out soon, either by foot or sled, whichever is available.
Not sure, my auger is too short to get pass the snow and slush!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Deucalion
With that much slush my sled would likely not get anywhere anyways. We had bad slush a few years back and I remember it well into February where I was.
There is very little ice in big parts of lake. checked ice out there a week ago and there was only 3 inchs of ice with lots of snow then. Now there is more snow and slush so it would of not made any ice. Going to be awhile before we start making ice again with up coming forcast.
I have heard that people put huts out on Rosseau last weekend near Windamere. I think I will stay away until it freezes up and I can explore without being to worried where I am traveling. To walk out where I want to be takes for ever on a good day, and even longer when slush is involved.
My trail is still pretty good / passable, albeit with a few very slushy sections. I wouldn't venture elsewhere unless you have a sled that can handle a lot of slush. I think that the muck will start to stiffen up Tuesday night and should be good by next weekend. The rain yesterday really brought the water to the top and when it freezes we should be all good.
I used your trail on Saturday morning and it was in good shape. I couldn't believe how big the slush pocket between Perry and pine was. And you could see the one by the mouth of the river getting bigger by the hours. It seems like we are going to get more snow this week, so I'm not too sure how everything is going to turn out!?!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob T.
I walked out from the narrows in gravenhurst this evening and it seems to have tightened up somewhat might go for a run out with the sled tomorrow night
Hey...has anyone ever ice fished the Bala/Torrence areas of Lake Muskoka...I'm in Bala Bay and new to ice fishing and wondered if I should give it a try. I've heard that Bala Bay never really freezes over completely, but does anyone know if the narrower areas are safe to fish?
I wouldnt targte Bala Bay. I'd skip Lake Muskoka entirely and go to Joseph or Rosseau. Much better trout fisheries. Caution though that Joe doesnt open until mid-february.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ice Hole
I would go to Rosseau Joseph isn't open yet for lakers I might be going out on the weekend if you like to come out with me
You mean you'll be going out this weekend on Muskoka?Quote:
Originally Posted by Muskokaguy20
Time will tell, but I think that the slush soaking all of the snow was a good thing. Now with some cold weather, it can freeze through. The slush pond by Pine I. was huge. Looked like open water. Also, do be careful out there. I know that in many areas of the lake the ice is still only 2" thick.
Not sure if I will go to muskoka or Rosseau but ya I should be going out
Where can you pick up minnows around the 3 big Muskoka Lakes? Or do you guys mostly fish plastics?
Glen orchard has a good bait place and brace bridge has one as well
Last Tuesday I walked out and fished a 30 foot flat on Lake Muskoka and picked up a few nice lakers with a friend of mine. Kept two for my smoker. Terriyaki and maple garlic were the brines. Tasty... Caught them all on a small williams silver/gold combo.
Ice was about 8 inches.
Nice...you're making me hungry!!!
I haven't been out yet on muskoka. Can't wait though
I'm gonna head out on Saturday but have never gone out this early in the season. Useually fish in about 70 fow, might try some shallower spots if the bite is slow.
Lakers were on fire on Rosseau in 30 ft last weekend. Might pick up a wally at that depth on Muskoka tooQuote:
Originally Posted by Deucalion
Time to pour over the GPSand change all of my plans!