Ice out on a Maine lake is a slow process.
The thick sheet covering the many lakes in Maine measures many inches deep. So thick it allows the weight of vehicles to drive on it. Creates the ice fishing, pond hockey skating, cross country skiing and snow shoeing outdoor fun opportunity. Plus winter ice on a Maine lake means snowmobile trails appear and disappear. All at the whim of Mother Nature and Jack Frost working as a team for winter exercise and recreational pastimes.
Ice out on a Maine lake.
Before the back drop changes, lots goes on behind the scenes. Winter tourism in Maine depends on snow and ice spinning the color wheel. For the transformation of Vacationland to winter white that means green for the small local community business economy. The fish and game people even track ice out on Maine lakes and keep records from past years of when the last shard is gone. And spring boating fishing fun can again happen.
Ice out boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen.
No more Jiffy ice auger needed to can open the frozen Maine lake. Riddling it with the holes for drop of the fishing line to flirt with bait and lures. With lots of patience and many rounds pegging for points on the cribbage board. To hopefully catch lake trout, land lock salmon, whatever fish species you love most for catch and release fun. Or to he keepers to clean and cook at home after you pack it up and trudge off the floating sheet of ice outdoor platform. The fish dinner served up hot, seasoned and tasty slid out of the hot frying pan to hop up and out leap on to a waiting raised plate.
The ice over and out of a Maine lake is a tug of war.
Going from open to frozen then thaw until the real deal happens. The ice out is a matter of local tradition and is it when the main lake body is open or eighty percent clear? Is ice out when there is none in just your cove tunnel vision? Is ice out an anxious proclamation whether it is or not because winter hung around too long? (more…)