Open Water

[Bob the fisher]

Has anybody noticed what the ice looks like up at Big Lake or Finger lake? Has it started to rot yet or not? I'm dying to get this boat wet...

 

[T.R. Bauer]

Has anybody noticed what the ice looks like up at Big Lake or Finger lake? Has it started to rot yet or not? I'm dying to get this boat wet...

Yeah, I drove by Finger about 30 minutes ago. It looks like ice. But don't you get too down, there are signs of melting as right next to shore there is a touch of open water. I never know for sure, but I think you have a good 3 weeks before it breaks up entirely unless it gets really nice. And, with a little luck, it might just do that

 

[tyrex13]

What about Kenai or Skilak or even Tustemena?

 

[.338WM]

Typically, south central lakes open on or about Memorial Day Weekend. Kenai, Skilak and Tustumena on the other hand sometimes do not freeze over or only partialy, they often are open much sooner... all depends on how Mother Nature treats them.

Hopefully someone around Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Seward etc. will offer some info on the big 3 down there.

 

[Mark Collett]

Not Sure About the Lakes

Not Sure About the Lakes

But I can tell you that the river below Warren Ames Bridge is flowing and there is finally some open water showing below the Soldotna Bridge.Still ice shelves on the edge but it is melting.I'll keep you posted......:topjob:

 

[T.R. Bauer]

Typically, south central lakes open on or about Memorial Day Weekend. Kenai, Skilak and Tustumena on the other hand sometimes do not freeze over or only partialy, they often are open much sooner... all depends on how Mother Nature treats them.

Hopefully someone around Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Seward etc. will offer some info on the big 3 down there.

Last weekend Kenai was very frozen on the way to Seward. It did not appear rotten at all. Of course, that can change in almost a heartbeat once the sun gets to it.

 

[tjm]

Matanuska R is runnable but tough launching...

Knik R has short sections that are runnable but not enough to make it worth launching yet..

I'll be running the boat this weekend if you want to tag along...

 

[MToutdoorsman]

Which day are you looking at going out TJM? I'd be interested in tagging along if I get the boat out of storage and ready to roll in time.

 

[skydiver]

Saturday in Passage Canal it is supposed to be 2 ft., partly cloudy, and in the 40's. It you don't need to be in a lake then that's where I'd be.

 

[tjm]

Which day are you looking at going out TJM? I'd be interested in tagging along if I get the boat out of storage and ready to roll in time.

Saturday...

I'll check out the river late this week and give you a heads up where I'll be launching....

 

[Duckhunter01]

does anyone know if Cooper lake is open yet?

 

[.338WM]

does anyone know if Cooper lake is open yet?

Well if Kenai was frozen over last week, there is a great likelyhood that Cooper is sporting even thicker ice, and if memory serves me correctly, Cooper lake opens weeks after Kenai lake.

 

[tjm]

Well, so far I'll be running alone in my boat...If I'm lucky enough to get it in the water there'll be room for a couple more if anyone wants to hop in...I'd like to run Matanuska between Knik R and the bridge in Palmer...probably not leaving until noon or so....should only be a few hours on the water...won't know until Friday evening if things are a go....

 

[MToutdoorsman]

I'll be running the Sport if all goes well and have one passenger. I've also got room for a few more. Definitely looking forward to getting the boat out again.

 

[Rob B]

Man, I really hate working weekends...... I hope there will be a little video taken and posted soon.

 

[tjm]

Well, made the rounds this evening...even though those rascals in the air boats are already out having fun, looks like it'll have to wait another week for us mortals with jets...

Knik @ Glen Hwy:
Not a chance, very low water and ice up to the banks...

Knik above the Old Glen:
Almost a mile of runnable water, tough launching, mostly shallow water...

Matanuska @ Palmer Bridge:
Very runnable, lots of open water, very tough launching due to shelf ice...

I'll check the launch situation again at Matanuska on Friday but I'm not holding my breath...might be doable with a 2nd truck there in case one gets stuck retrieving the boat...

Here's a couple pics from the Matanuska R this evening...

 

[MToutdoorsman]

That does look a little rough for sure. It's looking like I may end up having to work Saturday too. I'm definitely hoping to avoid working, but may not be that lucky. Keep me posted on the river situation. If nothing else, we can shoot for next weekend or an evening next week.

 

[tjm]

Keep me posted on the river situation. If nothing else, we can shoot for next weekend or an evening next week.

sounds good...

what about BOB?....a buddy seen you cruising around town with the new boat the other day....you up for an early run?..no kings but should still be a good time...

 

[POLE BENDER]

does anyone know if Cooper lake is open yet?

Skilak still has 24" ice thickness, guys still checking it and DRIVING across to Caribou Island, i would guess that Cooper lake still has 3 feet of snow on TOP of the thick ice!

 

[Bob the fisher]

I need to get it in a lake first before I tackle these rivers. never driven the boat, have no idea how it will handle, thanx for the offer though. am patiently waiting for finger lake or big lake to open up...