Inland & Great Lakes Ice Conditions

Ordinarily our Michigan Upper Peninsula inland lakes acquire safe ice for foot travel after the first week of December; when you can expect a thickness to have developed at least 3 inches.

Lake Superior, Munising Bay usually is ice covered and safe for foot travel by the first or second week of January.

Inland Lake Ice Report

Updated: February 28, 2008
Our Michigan Upper Peninsula Inland lake ice is well established. Ice thickness will range from 12 to 15 inches thick. There's no shortage of ice and you can always expect a fun-filled day ice fishing Michigan's Upper Peninsula inland lakes... while conditions last that is.

Lake Superior Ice Report

Updated February 28, 2008
Lake Superior's Munising Bay has an ice thickness of over a foot. Ideal cold Winter weather conditions have kept the Bay continually producing ice. No shortage here.

Lake ice conditions can change rapidly

All it will take is a couple of days with above freezing temperatures along with continuous rain showers, and lake ice conditions can rapidly deteriorate. 

Always check with local authorities before venturing out on any lake ice, because there is never any "safe ice".

Ice out ordinarily occurs by April 14th, but has been known to occur much earlier- depending on weather conditions of course. Ice shacks must be removed off the lake by April 1st.

Ice Safety Tips
This article gives you a few simple rules, carrying some basic equipment and using common sense.

Ice safety tips for winter sports enthusiasts
Here are a few general guidelines for use by winter recreation enthusiasts to lessen their chances for an icy dip or worse.

Going Ice Fishing? Always Play it Safe Ice fishing has its own set of safety rules that if not followed, can cause a day of fishing to end in tragedy.

Document updated
Friday, 08-Aug-2008 08:08:31 CDT