Ice Fishin and ice thickness.24 january 25

 

Looks to be a great weekend for ice fishing!

There are several highly scientific methods and mathematical formulas that you can use to predict the growth of ice on your favorite lake, and they’re all essentially based on one controlling factor called freezing degree days that takes into consideration the air temperature, wind speed and something called radiational cooling.

 

But we wont dig to deep into that since the only mathematical equations that I’m any good at are counting to six, which is the walleye limit, if  can get that high. 

We need to take a couple of important considerations into effect because the formula is based on having a slight to moderate wind speed, no snow on the ground and clear skies.  These things all help to pull heat out of the water and accelerate the growth of ice. As ice crystals freeze, they float to the surface and as they become thicker, they act as insulators, preventing the cold air coming above the water from removing heat from the unfrozen water below. Because of this process, a lake never freezes solid from top to bottom. Water is shallower at the lake’s perimeter, thus it freezes faster on the outer edges, and the whole lake freezes from the shore to the center.

All in all its been plenty coldto make betwen 5-7 inches of ice on most standing bodies of water. 

BAIT- Minnows, Spikes(maggots), Waxworms

Plenty of ice gear as well, augers , jiggin raps, tip ups , rods/reels, tungston lures, ice picks, cleats , and a lot more.

Have fun be safe and good luck fishing