Ice Out?!

April 28, 2024

You heard it right……the ice is gone in Vermilion Bay! After a night of rain we awoke yesterday morning with just a few shards of ice moving along the shore. How did this happen you may be asking…….let’s go back several days and take a look…

This was a few days ago when the south wind started to move the ice towards the lodge.

Then we had rain move in……..

….but still lots of ice. Maybe a few more days? Nope…….here’s yesterday morning…..it’s looking like April 27 will be the day?

…a view from the Government dock……..remnants of ice flows.

Unfortunately for those guessing April 27 the cool weather has betrayed you! While I would normally expect this remnant ice to be gone by the end of the day here’s a shot from later that evening….

Ice was still visible that evening (Gull Rock in background). The criteria for an “ice out” is no ice visible in Vermilion Bay………it was sooooo close, yet so far. As of this morning the remaining ice is gone……ice out is April 28, 2024!

Interestingly enough only one person picked April 27. Nancy Moskal, you missed it by a day. So did Eric Gracey, Ric Piasecki and Anne DeBroux who all picked April 29. All good tries….congratulations.

So who did win? There were two correct guesses submitted but the first to pick the correct date was famed Wisconsin deer slayer Jim Stanzel…….congratulations Jim! In second spot, always the bridesmaid and never the bride, is our token Canadian, Barry Young. Good try Barry!

Jim….a fabulous prize awaits your arrival at VBL this fall. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Before I sign off I will leave you with the above two photos for your consideration. This phenomenon was observed up by the culverts several weeks ago. Is it the spring spawning run of pizza crusts? Unused elephant condoms? Frisbees in their pupal state? No, none of the above. The counter clockwise rotation of the water exiting the culverts on cold mornings, combined with some foamy water created these interesting paper plate-like objects. So far no suckers have been sighted……..they will be next.

Stay tuned for updates on open water activities……pre opening fun and games!