Ice on Balsam, Updates?

Anyone know what the ice is like on Balsam. Looking to get out in the Kayak soon and chase some early season Pike. Launching in the north end.

While we're on the subject of Balsam, does anyone know if the ice has disappeared around Rosedale? Looking to go chasing some crappie soon.

Ice will be gone in a week or less, but the water levels are not up to where they should be yet. That is all the information that was given to me by some friends that were looking at Balsam Cameron and Sturgeon yesterday.

I am anxious to get to Balsam as well for some pike action (we did really well last year with my son in late April) but we have to wait a bit for the ice to melt and water to clear.
it's still covered with ice for the most part so my bet that in about two weeks (at least) it will be fishable (north end probably earlier)
I will post if I go

JB, would you go to North bay up past the park or head south from Coby?

The pike is everywhere in Balsam.

I fished South Bay, West bay and NE area and caught numbers and size in all of those areas.

Early Spring fishing can be tricky as water is cold and fish is finicky.

You have to find warmer shallow bays and pick the right day and time , which is usually in the afternoon of a warm and low wind day.

Yesterday there was a bit of ice on the east side of north bay across from the park. That was the only ice I seen in north bay. Today I couldn’t see any and there was none out from Rosedale.