Important Lake Waconia Ice Report 12/8/13

The ice in front of our marina to Waconia Bay, the walleye hole and over toward Cemetery Reef seems to have the best ice.  We measured ice between 6.5 to 12 inches, with the majority of it being around 10 inches (including cloudy frozen slush ice on the surface).  It's easier going in these areas, as there are less snow drifts.

We did a more extensive ice check today, expanding out "Under the Wires", and to Center, Pillsbury and Reefs.  The ice we found in these areas was extremely varied, dependent upon where snow drifts were. On the way to both Center and Pillsbury there are numerous large snow drifts spread all over that are holding back the ice growth.  I measured thicknesses ranging from 4.5 inches up to 13 inches.  The ice that was clear "black" ice and had no snow on it, was around 9 to 10 inches, but if it had drifted up, it was common to find averages between 5.5 to 6.5 inches.  Any areas that were above 10 inches had frozen slush as part of the measurement.

What does this all mean?  If you're looking to get on the ice and portable fish, conditions are very good for that.  Walking is comfortable and generally less slippery than normal.  If you're looking to use your ATV or snowmobile, we're feeling good about that, but use caution, as we have some active springs already in the same locations out from the Wagener's Bay access, and are expecting to find more when we get out for further ice checking.  We advise against using vehicles at this point.  Hopefully the continued cold weather will help build the ice, but it may take longer than we'd like in those drifted areas.