Sylvan 2021/2022 Hard Water Season is Here.

[Zip-in-Z]

Nov 11th ... Remembrance Day, “lest we forget” & wear a Poppy today.

+4C, no wind, went out for a walk to the Lighthouse, took a few pic's, hard water season opens here in 1 month & we have NO ice.

Old Skinney's still there on the rocks, the carcass pickers are frustrated & struggling to get a bite, funny to watch.

Last year on Dec 09th was out doing ice survey, we had 7 ½” to the top of the hole and guys were driving out on Norglenwold to permi's.

Plan to update with pic's, we may see 5" or less & wearing PFD's on opening day.

We need some cold weather ..... a few pic's, enjoy .....

D.


















This sucks when your hungry ....





Dec 09, 2020 ... 300 yds out over 12 FOW, 7 ½” clear ice.

[SNAPFisher]

Good report. Stacking up to the be same as last year. No snow and cleats needed. I bet 7-8 inches by opening. Certainly will be ice fishing to the North soon...like 2 weeks out.

-13 at the farm this morning. Later this week nothing above zero for the day.

[fish99]

pigeon was almost iced up a few days ago then the wind came up , no ice now just waves

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by fish99

pigeon was almost iced up a few days ago then the wind came up , no ice now just waves

It will be back this week with a vengeance. Lots of cold on its way. I'm actually surprised it iced up already...but, it was -13 here before the big wind. The fact it had ice is good though

Now the wind just needs to take a break...

[AlbertanGP]

Thanks for the post. Although I don't get down to fish Sylvan, I always enjoy this seasonal post leading up to your opener. I agree with SNAPFisher. We seem to be pretty close to last season weather-wise with some cold weather in the forecast, so hopefully it all works out for you guys down there. Do make sure you wear cleats if there is no snow. We don't want another repeat performance of that poor fellow that died out there last year slipping on the ice. Wasn't that on opening weekend?

[fish99]

last year pigeon iced up on November 10.
if the wind keeps up it mite be awhile.
first cold calm day we will have good ice.

[Zip-in-Z]

Last year on Nov 12th (pic) we had clear ice almost across the entire lake with temps going down to -17C at night.

Drove down Lakeshore this afternoon, no ice along shore & it's +2C, forecast is for a few nights in the -10-14C this coming week.

Last year by Nov 20th the entire lake was ice covered.

Were at least 1 maybe 2 weeks behind normal, my guess is still about 5" ice on Dec 10th, wouldn't want to be the first to try drive my vehicle out on Sylvan this year.

Will keep you guys posted .... cheers.

D


Nov 12th 2020 ....








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[AlbertanGP]

We're similar to last year up here, but it sounds like you're warmer down there for sure. Good thing the temps can turn on a dime at this time of year.

[Zip-in-Z]

Nov 17th ... we had 80k NW wind yesterday, temp dropped down to -15C last night, took these this afternoon.

Ice forming out to about 300 yds, need more cold.

D.








That's open water out there ...





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[Zip-in-Z]

Nov 20th ... -4C, NW wind gusting up to 50K this morning went for a drive .... 21 sleeps & no ice here.

D.


Norglenwold lake access road.




1/2 Moon Bay - lake access road.





Camp Kasota looks like the property owner put up a fence. This should be interesting for all those people/families who spend the day here in the summer and pee & have a dump in the bush.

[SNAPFisher]

Thanks for the continued updates Zip. Yep, I have to retract my previous thoughts. This is not on par for last season....and last season wasn't great ice either but it did form relatively nice on most lakes. As in least heaves I've seen for most lakes. This year the wind keeps blowing hard and changing direction. Yesterday it was a North / NW blast and today it is going to blast SE. That is not going to help...
Also looking at temp swings over the next week. No good news there either. Looks like I'll be starting on and sticking with smaller lakes for a bit.

That would be something if Sylvan was a bust for opening day. It looks at this time to be real possibility. Nothing in the next two weeks looks great.

I think you may need alternative opening weekend plans this year.

[Sloughsharkjigger]

Still a few weeks away for sure but the possibility of opening day in central Alberta needing a boat may be coming? Above average temps with the inevitable wind that comes with doesn’t lend well for building ice.

BTW Zip I appreciate all the info you provide. Have a great winter!

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by Sloughsharkjigger

Still a few weeks away for sure but the possibility of opening day in central Alberta needing a boat may be coming? Above average temps with the inevitable wind that comes with doesn’t lend well for building ice.

Two and half only now.

The next week looks brutal. Calling for temps on Sunday in Sylvan anywhere 8-14 degrees...And no days from here on below zero. The weather network is now predicting a big drop the week following next. So there is a teeny hope. I doubt that would be enough to make it safe.

[Zip-in-Z]

Originally Posted by SNAPFisher

Two and half only now.

The next week looks brutal. Calling for temps on Sunday in Sylvan anywhere 8-14 degrees...And no days from here on below zero. The weather network is now predicting a big drop the week following next. So there is a teeny hope. I doubt that would be enough to make it safe.

Yup ... it was sunny & warm here most of today, forecast is for 11C Sunday and remaining above 0 most of next week. Not sure how brave I'll be out here on opening day, May need to bring the float tube out.

D.

[Zip-in-Z]

Nov 26th …. Went out to check a few locations on the south side of the lake, found 1 ½” ice a few paces from shore, wasn’t going any further my steel bar went through with very little effort.

This could be very interesting this year, season opens in 15 more sleeps.

A few pic’s … enjoy.

D.


Lighthouse & Norglenwold Lake Access Road area:


















RR20 - Southside










RR23 - Southside





That’s the north end of lake





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[SNAPFisher]

Good news Zip. Looks like below normal temps starting later this week and should hang around for a while. May not save opening day but a step in the right direction.

[Zip-in-Z]

Originally Posted by SNAPFisher

Good news Zip. Looks like below normal temps starting later this week and should hang around for a while. May not save opening day but a step in the right direction.

Hope so ... today it was +6C, we lost ice.

Nov 29th .... That's Sylvan Lane the Norglenwold Lake access road .... more open water than ice today ... 12 more sleeps, we need some cold otherwise this could be a dangerous start to the season for some people as well first responders.

D.











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[simpatico]

Promised a co-worker I would bring him to catch his first whitefish thru the ice.

Thanks
Tony

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by simpatico

Promised a co-worker I would bring him to catch his first whitefish thru the ice.

Thanks
Tony

5.5 days to go...doubt it. At least the weather is cold now. I'm staying off the big lakes until end of December - and assuming the weather is normal from here on.

[Zip-in-Z]

Took these on Friday, Dec 03rd, it went down to -18C last night from what I can see ... this morning the south side of lake is all ice'd in from shore to shore.

I imagine the area around RR23 & Sunbreaker is still open water today, it should freeze over in the next few days.

Side Note: A local guy who rents shacks on Sylvan posted a video on F/B yesterday with 7-8" ice a couple of hundred yds out at Aspen Beach on Gull.

I plan on going out to do an ice survey on Friday, Dec 10th & will post an update.

Stay tuned.

Cheers

D




From the Pier towards the LTHouse that's a thin layer of ice NOT open water.




Northwest towards Norglenwold see the Geese & open Water ....





PETRO Beach .... that's Jarvis Bay/Birchcliff to the Right





PETRO Beach the ice is about 300yds out that's Sunbreaker & Palm Bay ... nice blue open water.




These pic's were from last Friday, Dec 03rd ... be safe!




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[Trochu]

I've never gone ice fishing. What's the orange strainer for, clean ice chucks out after auger so it's easier to measure?

[Zip-in-Z]

Originally Posted by Trochu

I've never gone ice fishing. What's the orange strainer for, clean ice chucks out after auger so it's easier to measure?

Yup .... when your staring down the hole sight fishin you don't want any floaters obstructing your view of Mr White before he inhales your presentation. Me thinks you knew that ....

D.

[SNAPFisher]

Nice update Zip. Interesting on Gull. That lake does freeze faster than Sylvan. I'm still very leary about most of the Central lakes in December but I am looking forwards to your upcoming reports. Stay safe and dry!

[AlbertanGP]

Getting down close to -30*C with the wind the next couple of nights down there. I got my fingers crossed for you guys.

[Zip-in-Z]

Originally Posted by SNAPFisher

Nice update Zip. Interesting on Gull. That lake does freeze faster than Sylvan. I'm still very leary about most of the Central lakes in December but I am looking forwards to your upcoming reports. Stay safe and dry!

The fella who rents out shacks/trailers will be updating he wants to get his 4 shacks out & ready for opening day on Gull ... if he does, I'll do the same.

Took a screen shot he used a square to measure 8" he said 3-400 paces out.

Link .... https://www.facebook.com/787201066/v...81510255452035



I'll be wearing my Mustang Floater suit & dragging a CNR Spud Bar & ice picks with me. I'm still going with 5" ice 300 paces from shore on Dec 10th.

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

Getting down close to -30*C with the wind the next couple of nights down there. I got my fingers crossed for you guys.

This week of cold weather is a blessing.

D.

[TROLLER]

Any chance at Breakers Cove on Sat.?

[Zip-in-Z]

Originally Posted by TROLLER

Any chance at Breakers Cove on Sat.?

Sure .... read on & enjoy the pic's.

D.

[Zip-in-Z]

Dec 9th …. OK Boys & Girls did an ice survey today it looks like Sylvan ice s/b ok to walk out on Dec 11th.

Took measurements 100 & 200 yds out. LtHse area = 6”, Norglenwold = 6.5”, Sunbreaker = 6”, Palm Bay = 8”.

This year there’s no ice heavies or ridges along shore to get over.

Thinkin I should start a Zip-Z …. “Go Fund Me” to do these A/O Fishin commercials on ice conditions, would at least pay for the beer.

Side Note: I stopped in at the GTI by the round-about, they have no bait, fella said maybe tomorrow.

If your headed to Sylvan, be safe on Saturday ... enjoy the pic's.

Cheers

David



Lighthouse Area ….



Only 6” here ….




Sylvan Lane – Norglenwold Lake access Road.



Went out 200 yds …



Found 6.5” clear ice near shore and 100 &




Drove around the Lake to Sunbreaker area.



Found only 6” 100 yds out didn’t go any further.



S/B boat launch no ice heavies or ridges this year.



S/B facing west towards Palm Bay.




Palm Bay area, ice was thickest out here.




Found 8” 200 yds out …



I recommend you bring or buy ice cleats, ice picks & spud bar for your safety.




Trust this was helpful & you enjoyed the pic's.




.

[AlbertanGP]

Bring some ice cleats. We don't need a repeat of last year's incident. Was that on opening weekend last year that the fellow slipped, hit his head and died?

[AlbertanGP]

Also, I bet someone tries to drive on that 8" of clear ice. I'm waiting for pics.