Author Topic: ice depth around Edmonton  (Read 2980 times)

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
ice depth around Edmonton
« on: January 11, 2012, 04:16:49 PM »
What are you guys getting for ice thickness these days around Edmonton area?  I want to get the kids out to Wab or Gull or Pigeon one of these days but I am a little worried about driving on with kids

walleyes

  • Guest
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2012, 08:20:47 PM »
Personally I haven't been on any ice around the city but I do know that up around Lac La Biche at Christmas there was a good foot. I am sure there is sufficient ice by now. Those lakes around there are pretty popular lakes if they are drivable I am sure people are on them, if there are no tracks you wouldn't catch me being the first I know that.

Hunter Trav

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 78
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2012, 10:56:48 AM »
The ice on most lakes if fairly thick now, but I haven't been on any that had really great ice.  Most have been layered ice that looks like crap.  Lots of people driving on them, but your not gonna see me out there in a pickup...

wildmeat

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 751
  • this is my prairie.... this is my home
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2012, 11:40:59 AM »
pigeon had 12-14 inches when i was out there a week ago... lessard had 14-16 inches.... lac ste anne 12-14 for most lakes i advise you to bring some of those ice picks for your shoes... pure ice and very slippery... but the ice is good solid black ice

Paul

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1855
  • Game on!
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2012, 02:19:18 PM »
8-12" on Sylvan guy that works for me was out Saturday. Drove his little Ford Ranger on the lake

mooseknuckle

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 123
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2012, 03:59:52 PM »
16" at wab last weekend with some cooler temps now. Dozens of cars and trucks out last Sunday.
Whats for Lunch?

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2012, 04:14:54 PM »
12-14 inches is enough to drive on I guess but it would scare the heck out of me with 4 kids on the ice.  I am not very trusting I guess.  I think I might hit Wab in the next couple weeks if it warms up a bit.  I figure it is a good place for the kids to get some action and keep them busy. 
I have not been there for years ice fishing.  Any good areas worth hitting up guys?? 

wildmeat

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 751
  • this is my prairie.... this is my home
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2012, 05:18:11 PM »
if your going for pike i prefer the fallis point in 12 ft of water...  or south west of seba beach closer to the sundance plant but be careful the ice is dicey... also watch the narrows and anywhere within 300 yards of where the train trestle is... it never freezes fully there ... ive seen more trucks yanked out of the ice there than by the plants even.
 fishing around the main dock in wabamun is pretty good... there are nice big weed beds all around there

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2012, 06:12:13 PM »
Thanks Wildmeat!  I don't really know where the names are of the places out there but I know where the main Dock is.  Years ago I went through the Indian land on the south east corner which is almost across the lake from the dock in the main townsite.  We did well there.  I used to fish a lot on the open water near town in the boats in January and Feb and I imagine I could catch one there now even though it is froze over.  I am just going to throw up some tip ups for the kids.  They are all 4-10 years old and will have my own kids and my sisters 2 kids as well so I figure if I put up a dozen tip ups it will catch a few fish and they should be able to pull up a couple fish hopefully.  I could care less if I pull one up myself and I will make sure I take a few pics to share if we get out.  Thanks

wildmeat

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 751
  • this is my prairie.... this is my home
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2012, 07:41:11 PM »
yeah no prob... one word of advice... buy some large smelts or even herrings to put on the tip ups... even the small pike take them but i find the bigger ones more likely to take the larger bait

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2012, 07:55:55 PM »
10-4 ;D  Superstore is the place I usually get them.  The big bulk bag :)

wildmeat

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 751
  • this is my prairie.... this is my home
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2012, 08:00:02 PM »
 ;) 

Paul

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1855
  • Game on!
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2012, 09:07:05 PM »
I dunno my son is 3 and I would like to take him this year but I have had too many friends with problems on the lake the past couple years. One buddy broke through on his Haaglund and when it dropped in it smashed the windshield and took on water they had to climb out the hatches. Then knew a couple other guys went down on a snow cat and would have died if their shack had went down too. They lost the machine was out at the narrows on Slave and were alone and it was -25 with a hard wind they would have never made it. If I go down I am capable of saving myself but if I lost my son I could never live with myself. So just mixed feelings on it.

wildmeat

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 751
  • this is my prairie.... this is my home
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #13 on: January 12, 2012, 09:17:55 PM »
I dunno my son is 3 and I would like to take him this year but I have had too many friends with problems on the lake the past couple years. One buddy broke through on his Haaglund and when it dropped in it smashed the windshield and took on water they had to climb out the hatches. Then knew a couple other guys went down on a snow cat and would have died if their shack had went down too. They lost the machine was out at the narrows on Slave and were alone and it was -25 with a hard wind they would have never made it. If I go down I am capable of saving myself but if I lost my son I could never live with myself. So just mixed feelings on it.

yeah i hear ya... in no way should anyone ever take anyones word on ice conditions ever... if your not sure get out and drill holes as you go... if there isnt a foot of ice at least then dont drive on it.... especially if others lives are in question

Geezle

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 251
  • Why does my Jeep look like a Power Wheels?
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2012, 07:08:08 AM »
Thanks Wildmeat!  I don't really know where the names are of the places out there but I know where the main Dock is.  Years ago I went through the Indian land on the south east corner which is almost across the lake from the dock in the main townsite.  We did well there.  I used to fish a lot on the open water near town in the boats in January and Feb and I imagine I could catch one there now even though it is froze over.  I am just going to throw up some tip ups for the kids.  They are all 4-10 years old and will have my own kids and my sisters 2 kids as well so I figure if I put up a dozen tip ups it will catch a few fish and they should be able to pull up a couple fish hopefully.  I could care less if I pull one up myself and I will make sure I take a few pics to share if we get out.  Thanks

Wab's getting better now...closer to 18" most spots that I measured, and with this cold snap it's only going to get thicker.

Point Allison is the point that you'll see off to the right of the dock at the main launch...not a bad little spot to fish, but watch out because there's a big ice heave over there that (as far as I know?) crosses the entire lake, and as you get close to that heave, the ice gets pretty white.

Nakamun would also be a good place to take the kids...again, lots of ice, and lots of very willing perch that will keep the kids entertained to no end. 
Just puttin' it out there...

nube

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1093
Re: ice depth around Edmonton
« Reply #15 on: January 16, 2012, 07:51:38 AM »
Thanks Geezle!