Soft Water Watch - Spring 2021

[fishballer06]

It's getting to be that time of year here in PA. Let's use this thread to post ice/water conditions on our local bodies of water.

Time to get excited boys!

[coldfront]

It's getting to be that time of year here in PA. Let's use this thread to post ice/water conditions on our local bodies of water.

Time to get excited boys!

when I was living in Omaha, there was a strong contingent of guys who loved ice fishing.  so this time of year (predicting ice out) was potentially argumentative.

what I found was that in Omaha, USUALLY ice out was by St Patricks day.  in over 20 years, never once saw it go beyond that.  but did see it 'out' as early as mid-feb a few times.

what's typical for your part of the world?

[fishballer06]

what's typical for your part of the world?

Really depends on how cold the winter has been here.

I know two years ago, Zippy and I fished on Valentines Day weekend in 38* water. Granted, the air temp was 19* when we launched. And some years, we'll get a few inches of ice even if it opens up in February.

I also know of years where I've been on the water the third weekend of April and there's still chunks of ice in pockets of the lake.

[zippyduck]

Rivers are cleared of ice.  They just look like a dark chocolate milkshake. 

Saw my first pond ice free today.

[Bud Kennedy]

When we lived in New England our first bass club tournament was in early April.  Was always a wait and see if ice out had happened.  It was always cold and windy but usually the ice was gone but surface temperature of the water was still in the 30s.  Glad we do face that situation here we just have to deal with floods.  Santee never froze so you could fish pretty much year round if you were willing to brave the cold.  Ice out up north was always a big celebration for us and kicked off a wonderful summer of small mouth fishing.

[Jimmyjames]

It was only about 2 weeks ago we had 8-9 inches on most Western PA lakes. Based off the extended forecast, i want to say its going to be another 2 weeks before we have open water here in west/southwest PA

[zippyduck]

It was only about 2 weeks ago we had 8-9 inches on most Western PA lakes. Based off the extended forecast, i want to say its going to be another 2 weeks before we have open water here in west/southwest PA

JimmyJames, Welcome to UB!!!!
We have a few of us from Western Pa. Fishballer and I are in Butler county.
That sounds like a good guesstimate. More ponds are opening up every day now.

[Jimmyjames]

Thanks for the warm welcome zippy! Cant wait for some open water. I grew up just a little south of butler . My family has a farm between butler and gibsonia. Im a freak like everyone 3lse in here. I clocked around 100 days last year on the water all across pennsylvania and am hoping to break that this year.

[zippyduck]

I am in Saxonburg and Fishballer is in Cranberry.
We need to get together some time and catch a few.

[Jimmyjames]

For sure! Cant wait for some open water. We have some cold nights for the next few days, but some nice warmer weather next week. I am going to take a drive this weekend to see the progress of the ice

[Jimmyjames]

Drove to lake arthur today. Ice is still pretty damn thick and covers 95% of the lake.probably 2-3 inches thick at least.

[zippyduck]

Not helping with these clear cold nights. Ponds are refreezing,

[Jimmyjames]

Anyone know if the lakes are still frozen? I am heading to lake Arthur tomorrow to see if its still frozen.

[zippyduck]

Oneida in Butler is open now. I don't know of any others yet.

[fishballer06]

Oneida in Butler is open now. I don't know of any others yet.

I just came on here to say the same thing. I might get out this weekend Zip. Are you free? Text me.

Also, welcome Jimmy. Hopefully we can get together at some point this season and wet a few lines.

[zippyduck]

Yes I am lets catch some pigs.