Sunday, December 11th, 10 am., we have a solid 6.5 inches of ice in all the places we checked.
With that ice thickness, normally we would not hesitate in opening the access to ATV travel and the like with that much ice. But as we mentioned in previous reports, the snow free ice is very prone to temperature change expansion and contraction. For example, the past half hour, the warming temps created a big push(expansion) and busted the crack about 200yds. from shore. That crack was healed up the past 24 hrs. until now. So an ATV would have trouble getting across without bridging of some kind. As the warm temps continue today and into tomorrow, the potential of more changes is there, for sure.
So as of now, we will keep the access closed to ATV travel. Rather than getting ATV's trapped on the lake side of the crack, that is best for all, as of now. Walking out, for the most part, should be fine. We will let the temps stabilize today and tomorrow and then, most likely, open the access for ATV travel and get light bridging in place where needed. Stay tuned!
In the meantime? A few locals have reported good walleye action in the neighborhood. (they walked out)
I can hear the ice cracking all the way across the lake. We still haven't gotten any snow, so the sound just echos..........
Sounds like a freight train switching yard!
The ice looks like a big puzzle out there, from the cracks...........
My Malmo family reports that today 12/11/11 Sunday forenoon -- there were fish houses and some vehicles on the ice out in front of the Garrison area. One vehicle was a small pick up truck. That sounds very risky to me at this point.
There are some big ice cracks and ice heaves on the northwest area of the lake also.
