I Measured the Ice at Fish Lake

[chucker]

I'd like to update the "Unofficial Ice Conditions at Fish Lake, as of yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, Jan 20th.

Ice on the south end, out from the Lake Shore Marina, 7 to 8 inches.

Ice along the western shore line, out from Mackinaw Camp Ground Area, 6 to 7 inches.

Ice on the north end, out from the Joe Bush Restrooms, 4 to 5 inches.

The edge of the "Clear Ice", running down the center of the Lake, (easily seen as compared to the "frosty" ice going out from the shore toward them center of the lake) 2" and it could be less the further it goes out toward the very center of the lake.

I would never, ever, suggest anyone venture near the clear ice, under these weather conditions, at Fish Lake, at the present time. You can't tell when it goes from 2" to 1" or less, the lake is over 100 foot deep out there, not that the depth of the water matters, you can drown in 2 inches of water. We really want you to come and have a great time catching perch but DON"T GO OUT NEAR THAT CLEAR ICE!

REGARDING ATV'S ETC. Apparently they are legal on the ice but the ice thickness is just too variable and unpredictable under the current weather conditions. You can't predict what kind of ice your driving over on Fish Lake right now.

Another concern we have is the parking availability near the lake, with this many people want to come to the tournament, it is going to be nearly impossible to get a place to park a vehicle with a trailer attached to it. Your just as likely to have someone block your exit from a parking lot as you are to block someone else's ability to park their vehicle, on this kind of weekend at the Lake.

Not trying to be ignorant, just trying to avoid a tragedy on the ice or a frustration in the parking area. If that make sense.
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[albinotrout]

Thanks for the update.
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[RonPaulFan]

I'm still thinking of going. But, it would be quite a distance and a very early drive to find parking lot is full and then have to search for an alternative place to park (if any) just to find the delay causes the divantage of not starting at the start of the tournament.

What are the possible alternative parking places?

That would be good to know in advance to not be worried that the vehicle might be towed and having a heavy load to backpack an unknown distance and maybe need to run.

Thanks.
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[chucker]

Hi Ron, I understand your concern and why. We have no way of knowing how many folks will be coming. There is no way to know. We do know this, there has been a lot more interest than we anticipated, due to a number of circumstance, that seem to have shifted interest in the tournament.

Secondly, we know parking could be a problem, as it is anytime a larger than anticipated number of people decide they want to attend any event, be it at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, the State Fair, events at Park City, Moab and Cedar City or St. George.

We want folks to come, and remove perch for Fish Lake, year round. That is part of the education effort what we hope would come out of the tournament. The tournament is entirely focused on conservation and the tournament and prizes are being provided to bring people together and to help them get started catching and removing perch from the lake, to improve it as per the Fish Lake Management Plan. That's way is a free tournament.

If some folks determine they would prefer to come at a different time, when there will be less congestion and more room to park and camp, we're thrilled with that too, or come now and come again later. We'd like that even better ;-).

All the best Ron, hope to see you Saturday, or come at another time, if that will work better for you. Fish Lake is a beautiful place and you will have a wonderful time, summer or winter.
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