How thick is the ice on Lake Michigan?

08/27/2021 Jeremy Anderson

Table of Contents

How thick is the ice on Lake Michigan?

Does Lake Michigan Freeze Over Winter? Yes, definitely. The ice forms where the water is most shallow, so on normal winter seasons, the entire shoreline is frozen over, with the ice going as thick as six inches. This is, however, an average as actual ice thickness can wildly vary.

Is ice safe on Minneapolis lakes?

There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. The DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes. Your safety is your responsibility. Check ice thickness at least every 150 feet.

What is the current ice coverage of the Great Lakes?

Ice coverage has increased significantly, according to statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL). According to the GLERL, total ice coverage on the Great Lakes is at 49.9% as of Feb. 15, 2022.

How much weight will 5 inches of ice?

about 800 pounds
Ice is not considered safe to walk on until it is at least 4 inches thick. At 4” the ice is suitable for ice fishing, cross-country skiing and walking and can support about 200 pounds. At 5 inches of new clear ice should be enough to hold a single snowmobile or ATV or about 800 pounds.

How thick is Lake Minnetonka ice?

12”-14” of ice. Cars out on the bay and a f250 running around with no problems. Some guys fished overnight and picked up a few walleye and ran out of bait and were at Wayzata bait at 5:45 to get more.

Is there any safe ice in Michigan?

For the safest ice conditions and some good fishing, the place to go is the Upper Peninsula. At Lake Gogebic, several walleye and perch have been caught lately along the north end of the lake. However, some of the lakes in the Upper Peninsula do have slush, so travel on the ice could be difficult in places.

How much of Lake Michigan is currently frozen?

Lake Michigan = 30.5% (long-term average AMIC is 40.2%) Lake Huron = 48.7% (long-term average AMIC is 63.5%) Lake Erie = 56.2% (long-term average AMIC is 83.4%)

Is it safe to walk on ice in Minnesota?

Ice is never 100% safe The DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes. Your safety is your responsibility. Check ice thickness at least every 150 feet.

Are Lake Michigan water levels going down?

Lake Michigan’s water levels are down by two feet since the record levels witnessed in 2020. MICHIGAN — Scientists are seeing lower water levels in the Great Lakes.