Any lake with 2.5 - 3" already SHOULD be ok by then, just drill test holes in shallow water to be sure.  Don't go out to water over your head until you drill at least 2 holes.  DON'T GO ALONE.  Anyone who plans to go alone, message me, id be happy to let you join me. I plan on Conneaut lake if it's safe Saturday, if not, tuttle point would be the next choice.

Those temps shouldn't hurt it too much, as long as the nights stay below freezing and with the amount of ice that should be on the lake by then. I really wish mother nature would just cut us a break and STAY COLD for a change during the winter months... I'll be out this weekend (Saturday through Monday) somewhere either Pymy or Conneaut depending on where I find fish.

Some cool charts and things to look at:
 
http://lakeice.squarespace.com/ice-growth/
 
 

Don't count on any ice being safe come this weekend. Lowes of 36 at night sat-mon. And highs of 47 during afternoon. Everything that will freeze today and tomorrow will surely be melted by Monday leaving a big wet and muddy mess :-(. Keep are fingers crossed for hardwater next month...

Tues 1/7/14 2:15pm. Drilled 2 holes on Edinboro lake on the east side, at the new restaurant. The 1st hole was when I was standing on the dock 20 feet from shore, it was 3.5 inches.  Walked out 20 yards and 5 inches.  Lakes has little to no snow on it. Ice is very bumpy and rigid on the surface. The ice itself is very hard and was difficult to drill through. Another night below 10 degrees with no snow will probably get another inch. I feel 100% safe on it, as long as all my holes looked similar to that 2nd hole.  NEVER GO ALONE!!!!!

I fished pymatuning sun. jan 5th. tried thru the ice at the Jamestown docks but had no luck.ice was 4in. thick consisting of 2in. of solid black  and 2in. of soft white.while driving back to the cabin I saw two people south of orchard way out on the ice.I checked manning and found similar conditions to what frost reported,probably was ok but didn't want to chance it.All in all it was nice just being out

hello everybody,
   I'm new to the sight and to ice fishing. I cant get thru the winters anymore without fishing for something and the rivers are blown out so steelhead are not an option. So I'm gonna give the ice a try. I live in Kingsville ohio about 20 minutes from Pym. what do you guys consider good ice ? how thick does it need to be ?  if anybody wants to share any knowledge on how to , where to and when to I would greatly appreciate it.  I'll trade you some help on ice fishing for some smallmouth fishing on erie this spring. hahaha  thanks and good luck

Espyville Outdoors9 hours ago

ICE REPORT - 1/8/2014
Pymatuning...There are reports of 6-7 inches of good ice off Tuttle, 5-inches off Manning and 5-6 inches of Orchard.
Conneaut Lake...There are reports of 5 inches on the south end by Silver Shores and the condos
Woodcock...There is one report of 4-5 inches out from the launch.  Edges are a little scary.
 
 
 
THANKS ESPYVILLE OUTDOORS/FACEBOOK!  BILL CUSANO- PM ME, I WONT BE ON PYMY BUT I'LL BE ON CONNEAUT LAKE... FAST ACTION!

Was out yesterday behind welcome inn had 8-9" solid black ice. Talked to guys that had 8+" solid ice off Tuttle and others also said 8+" where they were. It's amazing how many people either can't measure, don't want to say the truth, don't have a way of measuring and just guess or just find thinner spots cause I've heard everything from 3.5-4" up to 9". I know there isn't that big of a difference I can see a 1-2" difference in spots but not 6". I could be wrong though.

if anybodys goin to Pym on Friday and you wouldn't mind company I would like to come along  let me know. thanks  440-812-4430

Haven't been down to check, so hows the north end of conneaut looking.  Fished misery all weekend and it had 8" when we left today.  Plan on staying closer to home the rest of the season.

Thanks

Sitting on pymy now. It has just shy of 7" so it's put on almost 2" since Tuesday evening when I came out. If the temps hold up we may see see 12" plus by next week. Nothing higher than upper 20's with a bunch of single and low teen highs and lows for the next 10 days! I think Mother Nature is going to finally show us some love!

South end and no. Marked some fish but can't buy a bite. I work 2-10 so I don't know how the afternoon evening bite is. Talked to a few guys and they it's slow in the afternoons also. North end off Tuttle if you can find the crappie and get on top of them they are hitting, it's just a matter of finding them

Stepped in one of my old holes today all the way to my upper thigh. I have an 8 in auger, and the hole grew to be bigger than a 5 gallon bucket during the thaw and then got covered in snow and a thin layer of ice. Also heard of someone going through at Conn Lake. Be smart people!!!