Ice Is Not Safe on Presque Isle Bay

Ice fishing report February 16 2013-

Today, I thought I could go ice fishing and catch some big fat bluegill that I heard are biting in Misery Bay on Presque Isle.  Boy, was I wrong!  Apparently, the wind shifted and blew in warmer lake waters because today there is no good ice anywhere.  The normal fishing hotspots had open water today which is pretty unusual for this time of year. 

I thought Misery Bay was going to be fishable but there is about 10 feet of water by the shore and the ice does not look thick.  There was nobody fishing today on Misery Bay.  The only place that one could fish on Presque Isle today was on the Waterworks pond.  And, the ice was maybe 4 inch thick. 

The weather over the next few days is going to be favorable for the development of ice.  Sunday there is going to be a low of 16 but Monday it gets near 40 again with forecasted wind and possible rain.  Later next week looks optimistic for ice fishing.

On a bright note; the local streams are almost totally blown out as seen in the photo and there are fresh run steelies ready to be caught.  Tight lines!

Unsafe Ice Conditions on Presque Isle Bay

Yesterday temps crept up to 37 degrees fahrenheit.  The ice began to get a little slushy.  Today, it was terrible weather for maintaining ice.  It reached about 43 degrees and rained all morning.  Now the ice is unsafe to go out on.  Tonight and tomorrow is going to be cold again and it might tighten up, but there are going to be dangerous spots.  I am hearing reports of people falling through daily, so venture out knowing that you might crash through. 

I would wait until Sunday February 10, 2013 to go out at the earliest.  Sure it is great fun to catch fish through the ice but it's not worth the risk of plunging through into water that is so cold it burns when you go through.  Be very careful if you go out Sunday and stick to other people's tracks.  When you venture out onto new spots it increases the danger. 

Presque Isle Bay open bay ice is not safe.  Don't go on it yet.  Misery Bay and Horseshoe Pond have ice but it is barely fishable and less than a couple inches in spots.