So it has been unseasonably warm here in the Chicago area. I want to know how long it takes for lake ice to melt, so I can go regular fishing as opposed to ice fishing. It has been in the mid 30s up to the high 40s for almost a almost a week. I’m hoping spring might be getting here sooner than usual. I just want to fish without freezing again!!
Patience grasshopper. Mother nature is not to be rushed.
Welcome to In-Depth. 
Keep in mind the days are short and the sun doesn’t have much time to melt the ice. The sun melts more ice than warm air.
What have the lows been like?
If you have been above 32 for more than 24 hours consider the ice 1/2 as strong as if it were below freezing.
I’ll walk on 2″ of clear cold ice without sun, but you might not find me on 4″ of warm ice in the sun.
Maybe lows of about 25 to 30 starting Saturday. Also are you saying that the is half as thick or is the ice just weakened, but not 1/2 as thick.
Ice gets weaker as it warms. Just be cautious. How much ice are you seeing in your area?
haven’t gotten a chance to get out and test it. I also dont know the status of of other lakes
Well, it’s hard to say how risky it is unless you know how thick and consistent it is. Take a spud bar and check thickness often.
If you had 6+ inches prior to the warm snap it’ll probably be fine. Anything less, I don’t recommend venturing out without a spud bar.
the 17″ of good ice I was on today, maybe lost 1/8″ in the temps today and will refreeze tomorrow. This post is confusing… if somebody is asking about ice in Chicago, I would not feel comfortable giving any advice to them from where I am sitting. We will be lucky to have ice out a week before opener around here…
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