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AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is tracking Maine lake “Ice-Out.” This annual effort provides boaters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts with information, data and resources to help plan outdoor adventures on Maine lakes. It is available for spring 2017 and for previous years on an Ice-Out webpage maintained by the Department. The public is invited to assist this effort by reporting ice-out dates for water bodies throughout the state.
“Maine is open year-round for outdoor recreation,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “Ice-Out is a sure sign that spring is here and is eagerly awaited by boaters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore Maine lakes and waterways. Residents and visitors can help plan their next trip with information on current conditions and historical data on ice-out dates for lakes throughout Maine on one webpage.”
Commissioner Walt Whitcomb stressed collecting ice-out data is greatly assisted by public participation. “The amount and accuracy of historical data collected as part of this annual effort is greatly enhanced by people that contact the department to report ice-out dates on individual lakes and waterways. By reporting current conditions and then recording traditional ice-out dates, it is possible to project ice-out dates. I encourage people to visit the department Ice-Out page and explore what is available.”
Although the winter of 2016/2017 has brought a lot of snow to most of Maine, lake ice conditions are considered to be normal or below normal in ice thickness. A heavy blanket of snow has covered most of our lakes since early December insulating the ice and has generally reduced the ice quality and thickness throughout Maine. Many areas that may typically see more than 4 inches of ice late in the season are currently covered by 24-30″ of ice and much of that is “soft” ice, meaning it is very porous. A late season cold snap may change conditions, but if the current weather pattern continues, lakes covered with ice should go out when they normally do.
The public is encouraged to make the page as accurate as possible by sending a quick email when the ice goes out in their area to timothy.thurston@maine.gov . People should include the name of the water body, town(s) and the ice out date; it will be posted as soon as possible.
What’s Ice Out?
The department’s web page considers “ice-out” to be when you can navigate unimpeded from one end of the water body to the other. There may still be ice in coves or along the shoreline in some areas, but when a person can traverse the entire water body without being stopped by ice floes, the department considers the ice to be out.
Ice-Out webpage: www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/water_activities/boating/ice_out_dates.shtml
For more information: www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/water_activities/boating/ice_out_dates.shtml
