ice condition Balsam Lake

Hello All, hope everyone is enjoying the fishing. Starting my 22 fish adventure, have not seen any post regarding the ice condition on Balsam Lake. Was thinking making my way out there this weekend. Any information will be helpful. Thanks in advance!!

haven't been out there, but its been cold, and would probably freeze in regular spots.

There are spots on balsam that never freeze from current.

Only sunfish in the winter on Balsam as well.

No idea at all about ice conditions on Balsam. My friend just asked me the same thing a couple of days ago. I told him when the ice is SAFE to fish Balsam is a very good lake in the winter. Big pike and big crappie and perch as well as other panfish can be caught on the east side in 20 feet of water. Fish will be right on the bottom. Balsam is rarely disappointing in any season of the year, but I am lucky to know people that have fished it for 50 to 60 years. And have found many new spots to fish there from my own many years of fishing there. Balsam and Sturgeon are my two favourite lakes. My friends have not been out on the ice yet this year. Maybe next week I am told. Good Luck and STAY SAFE.

Perch Pike Crappie Sunfish...

They are out fishing in south bay and machines are out aswell

Zone 17 - pike season open all year....BTW...been like that for several years...it is all in the regs if you read them

I'd like to try Balsam next weekend coming from Port Perry and ideas where I could park and launch from on the south east side ? Cheers

Hi all.
Balsam has about 8-9" of good ice. I am in West Bay. Drilled in about 6-8' of water about 150' off shore. Further out...not sure.
Sleds are running the lake in the bays and close to shore.
There is about an inch or so of snow on the ice and there was a bit of slush on Friday but that's all frozen now with these temps.