Category: Ice Conditions & Weather Reports

As of Saturday evening the count is now three machines in the drink. Cutting the corner on Butler‘s reef just doesn’t save time. Actually, this route adds hours to the journey. Wet hours. Ice is now a slippery wet surface as we put a close to this warm system that has warn out it’s welcome.…

Riding shotgun with me again today is my big fella Red. An extended period of above 32° is changing the bay by the minute. All landings are looking good, but use caution. The shallows are certain to be compromised during this warm spell. 8-12 inches of ice throughout the Bay north of the narrows of…

It warmed up real good today melting most of the remaining snow left on the Bay. That cycle will continue for the next 5 Days or so. I will have a more in depth report after Christmas since Lacy & I will be holding down the fort the next couple days by our lonesome.  We’ve…

If your Little Bay de Noc hot spot is inside the boundaries of these yellow lines, you’ll be on treacherous ice. Not weak by any stretch, it’s solid ice with varying-sized jagged chunks protruding up everywhere. Encountering such ice, even at minimal speeds, will likely wreak havoc on any machine, not to mention the operator.…

Everyday ice gets a little thicker on Little Bay de Noc. A warmer weather forecast has backed off a bit in our favor and freezing temperatures overnight will keep ice in good condition. Wind blown with some drifted snow. More slick areas than not. Cleats are a must again. 7-10 inches of ice north of…

My ride to center reef yesterday afternoon was a 180° difference from today. From 2”-2’ of water on the ice 20 hours ago, today to my surprise, areas that water was over my boot on center is now hard as a rock without any sub layer of water between ice layers. Ever changing pressure cracks…

My experience on the bay was exactly as I predicted yesterday. Maybe even a little worse off. The rain is pounding and any holes in the ice are toilet bowling water. Be mindful when drilling holes in these conditions. All ice anglers should understand the ice hole toilet bowl swirling table.  •6” = 8”   •8”…

Today’s anglers on Little Bay de Noc basked in brilliant sunshine and just above freezing temperatures. The little bit of slush and little bit of water on the ice is about to go to the next level of slop with rain starting in the morning. Precipitation is predicted all day then turning to sleet and…