Has March Break come and gone already? What did your family get up to? Did you head south to wiggle warm sand between your toes? Or, did you take in the balmy (ahem, above zero) temperatures we’ve started to hit here at home?
No matter what you’ve been up to this past week, the countdown to summer fun is officially on, and Canadians are feeling it!
We know the ice is on its way out because our boats are beginning to show through the layers of snow — but how soon can we expect to launch our boats? When will the lakes be warm enough to cannonball off the dock, go wakeboarding, or tow our kids on a tube? When does the spring fishing season open up? How soon can you begin fixing up your ice-ravaged dock?
Things are Heating up! Here’s what you need to know about checking ice conditions before launching and enjoying your boat for the first time this season.
The “Meltdown Countdown“
The truth is, the “big melt” is a different story in every province. The ice departure timeline will vary for each unique lake! It depends on various factors, including the depth of the waterway, the strength of a current, the size of the lake, the altitude of the lake location, etc.
For example, even though Western Canada tends to see the warmest temperatures during the winter months, Alberta’s Lake Louise melts between April and June. Even though winter temperatures can be wickedly cold in Northern Ontario, some of those big lakes are often the first to crack open!
What to Do While You Wait
Most Canadian boaters still have a little time to kill before their boats can hit the lakes.
While we wait for the sunshine to do its work, here’s a great time-filler: Get your boating license while you’re counting down the days! Become a certified boat operator or simply refresh your boating knowledge with our free resources.
How to Track Your Lake’s Ice Conditions
Many popular boating lakes and waterways located in Provincial Parks will have a monitoring system in place that provides frequent updates on the status of the ice conditions.
For example, the Algonquin Park Ice Conditions are available online. If you’re curious about what’s happening on your lake, you can track the melt status using Environment Canada’s website!
When Ice Fishing Season Ends
Do you love winter weather? Does your primary interest in the “big melt” correspond to the effect the spring thaw will have on your ice fishing activities on Ontario’s lakes?
If so, you should check local ice fishing reports for more information about the lake conditions, the fish species on the lake, and how soon you should get that ice fishing hut off the ice!
Be Safe on the Water (Whether it’s Cold or Warm)
Apologies to the snowmobilers, ice fishermen, skiers, and the makers of snow angels — but the sun is shining, and Canada’s boating community can’t wait to see the ice crack! Bring on the blue skies and blue waters.
Again, before you launch your boat as the waters thaw, make sure you have your boater card. BOATsmart! is here to help! Our online boating safety course for Canadians is the perfect way to learn while having some fun. Then, take the exam and get your card.
You’ll be ready to hit the water as soon as the ice thaws!
First published in March 2015. Content most recently reviewed and updated for accuracy and relevancy October 25, 2024.
