It’s a bit of a slow freeze-up this year. The ice is slowly building up north of Preacher’s Point, reaching Cline Landing this week. Most of the lake is still open water however.
The conditions at Preacher’s Point continue to be variable. There are some great patches to be found but most of the ice is now sitting on the ground and getting foggier.
The ice at Cline Landing is still very thin (only 2-5 cm where we checked) but this should change quickly with cold weather in the forecast for this weekend.
The early season conditions are always more challenging to assess and change daily. Make sure to check the thickness for yourself and be ready to change your plans if needed.
Where to Go
Preacher’s Point is still the only section that is fully frozen. Cline Landing has some great bubbles that can be seen from shore, or in the shallow area if you’re willing to risk getting wet.
Want to see these views for yourself?
Join us for an Abraham Lake Ice Walk, available daily.
A Few Recent Photos
FAQ
What will the conditions be like tomorrow? The truth is that we don’t know. The weather is unpredictable and conditions change quickly. What we can share is what we saw that day to give you a starting point as you plan your adventure.
How come I didn’t see bubbles while you posted some from that day? We get this question a lot and it usually depends on where you went. Abraham Lake is a large reservoir and conditions can be drastically different from one end to the other. Our guides sharing these updates are on the lake daily and know where to go depending on the conditions. If you’re heading out on your own, use the information we share as a starting point and give yourself plenty of time to explore different locations if conditions at your first choice are less than ideal.
Is it more dangerous at this time of the year? It depends. This time of the year sees larger temperature fluctuations than what we would see in mid-winter, making it even more important to check the ice for yourself before heading out. At the same time, the most challenging sections of the lake are still open water making it an easy decision not to go there for a walk.
How can it be safe to go on the lake when parts of the lake are not yet frozen? Abraham Lake is over 30 km long with very different weather conditions throughout. Preacher’s Point usually freezes 6 to 8 weeks before the rest of the lake making it a great option for the early season when the rest of the lake is still open water.
Is it earlier than usual this year? No. Preacher’s Point is usually frozen by late October to early November. In 2020 it was frozen by October 30, in 2021 it was frozen by November 15 while in 2022 we had ice by November 3 (it was snow-covered until mid-November however).
Ice Safety
We share this information to help visitors to the area plan their trip. This represents the conditions we have observed at a specific point in time. Ice safety depends on many more factors than just ice conditions and anybody going on the ice should have the knowledge and experience required to assess the risks, or should consider going with a guide.
