Island Lake {Athabasca}

[fishhard]

Heading up there Thursday and Friday and was hoping any AO members could help me out with a recent ice condition report. Ice thickness and quality would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You.

[Zanzibar]

16-18" of decent ice. Drove on with a Jeep, I wouldn't take a full size truck.

[Captainslug]

Why not a full size truck?

[fishhard]

Yes, How come not a half ton? Any one else with an ice report? Thanks.

[Talking moose]

Was up there 2 weeks ago. I would say it's still good to go with a half ton(along with most lakes) Over 20" of ice wherever I drilled.

[astepanuk]

fished it on the weekend Ice is well over 24" thick no issue. Fishing was slow

[fishhard]

Thank You for the reports guys! That makes more sense.
I still drill test holes and measure along the way though.
Tight lines!

[Zanzibar]

Originally Posted by Captainslug

Why not a full size truck?

My full size truck is a Superduty Crew cab with a diesel engine in it. The ice is still clear, but it's not hard crisp chips when we drilled our holes. I said I wouldn't drive a full size truck out there, didn't say you couldn't. Have a good time, go catch fish.

[Captainslug]

Even if your truck weighed 10,000 lbs which is probably on the high side you have lots of safety assuming the ice is consistent thickness. If you use the calculations on this website, http://lakeice.squarespace.com/bearing-strength/ which I have found is on the safer side of others, and use Talking Moose's 20" as a minimum I get a calculated 20,482lbs the ice is capable of handling at 90% efficiency. More than double my guess of your truck weight. Even at 60% (I wouldn't actually go on at this percentage) the ice is still capable of handling 13,654lbs. I am not saying you should drive on because I am saying its safe. If I had a truck like yours I would still drive on but I would of keep clear of the lake inlets, outlets, pinch points and not speed. But that's me. You do as you feel safe to.

If they can run 40 ton semi's on the ice roads up north on 40" of ice I don't see how 20"+ won't hold your 5 tons of truck.

[fishhard]

Thanks captain slug for that website! I have a 1500 ram . I still always use caution. I have done a lot of walking and hauling a jet sled just because I will not drive on the ice unless it is at least 18" of good ice. I would never make it as an ice road trucker. LOL.
Thanks again.

[Captainslug]

To Each Their Own.

Im not recommending to anyone to do anything they are uncomfortable with. But I like to use a bit of science behind my thinking rather than just "guessing". I know ice strength cannot be totally guaranteed but at least I know I'm not going off the deep end (or into it) and being to reckless either.

[RavYak]

I have heard ice can be sketchy in spots on Island Lake, not sure if it is at pinch points or where exactly but someone I know that has fished it times before said he would not drive full size truck on it.

We did anyways... But there are potentially areas that are not safe so I would stick to locals paths if you don't know the lake yourself.

[fishhard]

Thanks again for your insights and comments guys. I have fished Island Lake a few times in hard water times, I do know of a few areas that I will not go near. There are a few pinch points and springs on that lake and I do follow the well driven trails until I get close to where I want to then pull out the jet sled and walk to other spots I want to try.
Hopefully I can find a few perch for a meal! Have not had much luck on the perch this year.
Tight lines and be safe!
Fishhard

[fishhard]

Also a friend was telling me about a lake called Jenkins lake that is a stones throw from Island. Do any of you know any thing about this lake and would it be worth giving it a try?
Thanks.

[skykomish sunrise]

Jenkins is fun for mid size pike..found small perch too. Make sure u have a very capable 4x4 if you plan on driving on... We walked

[PINEHURST-PIKE-FREAK]

I have hit multiple lakes in the area,most are 17" to 24",the real question is....how is the fishing?