Will the Bay clear of ice by May 1st?

[noelH]

Right now all the recreational fishing boats are launching out of the Bayfield Marina.  Yesterday walked down to the Bayfield Marina ramp.  Full lot, streets for a couple blocks in every direction were full of trucks and trailers.  Huge chunks of ice in the ramp area.  All else is clear.  Too risky to launch at the Washburn Marina even if the ramp is free of ice. 

Ice in the Bay has been moving in and out.  A couple days ago watched a boat that launched at the Sioux R. "ramp" just get to the mouth of the river in time before the gentle breeze pushed a massive (square miles) chunk of ice into the area.   

Again, hardly any ice on L. Superior this season. But again the ice in the Bay is being stubborn. 

[Spot]

For some years I was on Lake Michigan and daily aware of the condition of the lake.
Now it's only through webcams. I saw some from your way and saw the hard water last week.
80's F down here today, having to check the boats fairly often as we are getting rain/freeze/thaw cycles.

[noelH]

Mad Is. Ferry I think ran every day this past winter.  Couple days it looked like a boat floating on ice.   Ice never really formed on the S.Channel. From Long Is. Pt to the mainland opened up in early April.  N and W Channels iced in, but I don't think it was safe enough for people to head out on.  Meyer's Beach Sea Caves opened up for the first time in years.  NPS required pre-booking to visit.  Someone noted sold out fast.  2500 permits.  Caves ended up only open for one day. 

Massive melt down over the past couple days. My pile of gravel finally surfaced above what snow was still around.  70's yesterday.  Hit 80F today. Guessing the "ice" flows are more slush flows.  Huge pile up of ice along the N. side of Oak Pt.  Washburn Marina has webcams.  Was able to finally connect just moments ago. Only one cam working. Marina sill looks to be iced in.  Most of the slip area is clear.  We need a strong NE to shove the remaining ice onshore.