Ice unpredictable this year

Tim Sheppard said ice on area lakes is the most unpredictable he has seen in a decade.

In a lot of places, the thickness will not support a vehicle, said Sheppard a sergeant with North Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.

“Even for large 4X4s, although the ice is strong enough to support them, the slush makes it difficult to travel,” he said Wednesday.

At least three vehicles have broken through the ice of Lake Nipissing — one off Sunset Point, one in the south end of Callander Bay and one off Deepwater Point on the south shore. And at least six snowmobiles and one snowshoer have broken through the ice of area lakes, swamps and ponds.

Sheppard, who is also an avid fisherman, said this is an unusual year for ice conditions.

He said in past years, people have been able to drive vehicles on Lake Nipissing without difficulty, except after a heavy storm.

But this year “I certainly wouldn’t take my vehicle on it,” he said. “The slush is unbelievable.

“Trout Lake and Nosbonsing are also covered in slush. People are having difficulty moving shacks out to the far points on the lakes even with snow machines and four wheelers.”

Larry Bartlett, a certified ice recovery specialist and owner of Bartlett’s Towing, has recovered about 50 vehicles from lakes and swamps across Northern Ontario.

He said the most common reason people break through is “they just don’t check the ice quality or thickness before they travel on it.”

Bartlett said with a good quality ice — no air, no contamination or foreign substances such as dirt, reeds or cattails which all cause weakness — drivers need at least 10 inches of ice to support a half-ton truck.

Those brave enough to venture onto the ice in a vehicle should be sure they have proper insurance coverage.

“You want to make sure you have comprehensive coverage for sure,” said David Blahey, a broker with All-Risks Insurance.

In the case of a vehicle breaking through the ice, comprehensive insurance will generally cover the cost of recovery, as well as the vehicle.

Owners of new vehicles generally have full coverage (comprehensive and collision) because financing companies and banks require it, but comprehensive coverage is not mandatory.

Sheppard said people should use common sense when it comes to venturing out onto the ice.

“If you don’t see vehicle anywhere, you might err on the side of caution instead of being the first one out to test it. It’s really not worth it,” Sheppard said.

The vehicle in Callander Bay was silly. It appears he was driving in the area of the Municipal Water intake. That area is always questionable. (it is about 1.3 km west of the northern tip of Callander's southern beach)

That being said, there are slushy spots about 2.5km west of the town in the middle and north of the bay (near the outlet of the Cranberry Marsh) as well as near the Darling & MacPherson Islands.

Another place to avoid is Centre Channel (between Smith and Grand Trunk Islands. Yes, you will see snowmobile tracks through there, but if you can avoid it, I recommend it. Use either the South Channel or the OFSC trail through the North Channel to get out onto Lake Nipissing.

The good fishing spots are teeming with huts and trucks right now, so, as the OPP said, if you are going out with a vehicle, go where you see the trucks (or snowmobiles) have been. Don't be the first.

Well, there is never anything like "safe ice" to begin with......it's just a matter of good judgement and some precautionary measures before venturing out either snowmachine or vehicle.

every year......some peopel will find those open pressure cracks and areas described above.

I have no issues with driving out on ice, but I make sure it's at least 12 inches and also make sur others have gone out prior to that and returned. I trust my operator for up to date information as well.

So far this year, ihave not driven out anyhere, but I would do so on Nip now in certain locations.

Stay safe people.

Got a report of 38" ice off Hinchberger Point (Brill Island, just on the eastern cusp of the mouth of South (Fish) Bay. West of Waltonian.

Do you mean 38 cm's. If it's 38" then they must have been measuring from the floorboards of there hut. LOL

Yup, doesn't seem right that's like 3 feet.
I know it's colder up there, but can't be that cold. 38 cm = 15 in

Last time I remember ice that thick was almost 20 years ago.

I'm leaving for the Waltonian tonight, and talked to them. They said 18 to 20" under their huts.

That sounds more accurate...

Sorry guys, I have to go with the locals on this one. One guy said his auger was almost down to the motor before he got through (40" auger). Now this is off Brills & Lonely Island. There will be variations in thicknesses wherever there is current, such as Callander Bay, where they were reporting about 12" last week.

My buddie was there on the 18th Ice Bungalows and he said the holes he drilled with the Jiffy 30" bar was almost to the grips before he broke through.

And you are right traffic will make the ice thicker along with current making it thinner. Denis said he plowed his road with his big tractor after the last storm and it would be twice the weight of my truck loaded.

But as always as longshank say's follows some one else's tracks out and back and you will never get wet feet.

Play safe ><>><>><>><>

I drilled and measured 2 holes near my huts ( 1 km west of Lonely Island) on fresh ground and got 19" & 20".

Are thye drilling straight or on an angle .jk.

I'll go with Jeff's measurements....

It would be the epitome of arrogance on my part to discount what people "on the ground" report.

I absolutely trust Sandy Bay's report of 20inches. He is "on the ground". At 1km west of Lonely Island this would put him closer, if not in, the mouth of South Bay; the egress of the South River watershed and consequently moving water.

I also trust the other locals "on the ground" who reported their ice thicknesses where they were fishing.

As stated, you will not find Lake Nipissing to have a uniform ice thickness throughout. Where there is current, there will be thinner ice.

Sounds like we may have the beginnings of a friendly wager, here.

There's no egress were I am. The South River egress of moving water runs mainly in between the Gull Islands and the western shore of South Bay. The mouth of the South River is over 5 kms from my huts. Brills Island is only 2 kms from my huts. I think your sources may have been drilling in a section of pack-ice. Bets on.