Finally, it is freezing, the lake I mean. It is late and as of 1/5/12 it is not all frozen but maybe 95%. The freeze started as it normally does with the lake skimming over and the wind blowing the ice cubes up on shore. It froze completely by the 8th although it is not frozen enough to walk or ski on. There were people ice fishing on Crescent Lake on the 8th but it is much shallower. Near the Smith River, it was not frozen because of the current.
Then, things get more serious and the ice becomes thicker along the edges. The slush that is bobbing in the waves makes neat shapes and the shoreline becomes a huge sculpture.
Recently, we had a few very cold nights and the lake froze with lots of slush in some places but there is smooth ice in others.
The problem right now is that there are still places with no ice. They may freeze tonight but they will always be a little bit weaker than the rest of the lake. Right now, about 95% of the lake is frozen. That may change overnight but you never know. A little wind may make it so that things don’t freeze but the wind can also cause the rest to freeze but be rough ice.
Pictures are from Point of Pines and the last is Red Brook Circle
