Ice Conditions, Weather Reports, and More!

Well, well… I guess the forecast was accurate after all! If only Wednesday were Friday and vice versa. We are getting pounded with 5 to 6 inches of heavy snow, resulting in 5 to 15 inches of soft snow covering the ice. The landings are rut-filled, but with enough clearance and decent tires, they are…

Temperatures have hovered above freezing for the last couple of days. It’s below freezing now and will remain so until around midnight. After that, the mercury will rise again and precipitation begins early in the morning. Starting with snow early AM followed by rain, and then back to snow before the end of the day.…

The wide range of predicted snow accumulations was, fortunately, well off the mark. The 2-12 inches that were forecast ended up as multiple layers of ice, sleet, and snow, ultimately combining for a grand total of less than a couple of inches. Prior to today, the last few afternoons of above-freezing temperatures and brilliant sunshine…

Just waiting now for the spitting and the spattering of mixed precipitation to start around 2 o’clock in the morning. Temperatures will bottom out around 29° during Wednesday’s snow event. Tomorrow, the Bay could have 2 to 12 inches of fresh snow when this system wraps up by sundown. The 20 mph sustained winds and…

Holy crap. I’ve been informed that 10,000 plus people are keeping updated about Little Bay de Noc ice conditions from snippets of my daily time on the Bay. The desire for this information is no surprise. I was once the outsider, without any firsthand knowledge about changing ice and weather conditions. Often relying on weather…

One of my favorite ice shacks has been on display by the Yellow Gate Ice Access for some time now. I’m starting to think it’s been positioned there for photo opportunities. Very nice!  The Michigan FREE Fishing Weekend was a big hit! Traveling across the Bay became cumbersome at times while avoiding huge fields of…

Blue skies, brilliant sunshine, and a crisp 15° to start the day—the perfect morning to set up a drop-down wagon for guests checking in this afternoon. With Valentine’s Day in mind, I invited Lacy to join me for what I knew would be a gorgeous morning on the ice. It turns out that shoveling snow…

What the heck, 46°!   There was a little meltdown on the Bay today, thanks to the high temperature of 46° and plenty of sunshine. The snowpack on the ice has softened but remains intact, with no slush. Temperatures in the teens by sunrise will firm up the snow, along with its lumps and bumps, making…

Warmer temperatures and extended periods of sunshine, along with longer days on the ice, can take it’s toll on an ice angler. Be sure not to forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and some sammiches. Black Forest smoked ham and cheese or PB&Js are my preference. Choose for yourself. It’s the Michigan Free Fishing Weekend, and it should…