WACF members and guest sign in and enjoy some breakfast before the first winter Lakes Talks & Eats of 2025 gets underway. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — It was a packed house as the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation held its first Winter Lake Talks & Eats of 2025 Saturday morning, Feb. 1. The topic was winter at the lake. Those attending learned a little bit about what happens to the lake in the winter as well as about popular winter sports such as ice boating, ice fishing and ice plunging. The event was held at the WACF’s education center, 11586 N.SR 13, Syracuse.

Presenters were Ed Clayton of Clayton Garden Center. Clayton is an avid ice fisherman. Matt Linn, Department of Natural Resources, who spoke about changes in fish under the ice, Frank Levinson, who spoke about ice boating, ice skating and ice plunging, Bob Fanning, who spoke about ice boating and Dr. Nate Bosch of the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College, who discussed changes in the water under the ice. All of the presenters also spoke about ice safety.

Dr. Nate Bosch, executive director of Lily Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace College, reviews the food chain of a lake during the WACF’s first winter Lake Talks & Eats of 2025.

Bosch explained in summer lake water is stratified. There is a warmer layer at the top that receives sunlight and warm air, while down below, the water is colder. There is a temperate layer between the two where the water transitions from warm to cold.

In October and November the surface water gets colder. If it stays cold long enough, it is as dense as the cold water layers down deeper in the lake. “The whole lake becomes like a Ferris wheel where it turns over,” Bosch said.

This time of year, if its a decent winter with good ice on the surface, the water is still stratified, but differently. The water near the surface is around 32 degrees while the water deeper in the lake is warmer. In the spring, when the ice melts, turnover occurs again. Bosch explained lakes turnover twice a year.

“Water is truly a unique substance on this earth,” he said. “Water in its solid form is less dense than in its liquid form.”

Bosch then quickly reviewed the lake food chain starting with nutrients to predatory fish.

Matthew Linn of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, discussed fish behavior during the winter. Linn explained there are three different types of fish; warm water fish, such as large mouth bass or blue gill; cool water fish such as northern pike; and cold water fish such as Cisco which is endangered.

Matt Linn, center, a researcher with the Department of Natural Resources, discusses changes to fish during the winter at the WACF’s Lake Talk & Eats, held Saturday morning, Feb. 1.

During the winter, warm water fish will stay closer to the bottom where the water is warmer. In the spring, they will move to shallower water for spawning. The Northern Pike, a cool water fish, tends be the first to spawn usually between March and May while Cisco spawn in November and December. “Which is really unique,” Linn said “As the winters are different from before, they are highly variable winters, for fish that’s important,” Linn said.

If ice stays on the lake for a long time or it has a layer of snow on top, those conditions can lead to fish kills.

Frank Levinson discussed ice safety while having fun ice skating, ice fishing and ice plunging.

He stressed if people were going to go out on the ice, they should have a buddy, ice picks and a whistle. The ice picks will allow a person to pull themselves out of the water if they go through the ice, while the whistle will assist them in calling attention to themselves.

Levinson said wearing a life vest while on the ice isn’t a bad idea as winter clothes such as boots and coats can affect a person’s mobility. He reminded the audience the lake has currents where the ice will be thinner.

Another thing to watch out for is ice heaves, some are curently located along Ogden Point to South Shore. Levinson explained the wind will cause friction as the ice sheet moves on the lake.

Levinson told the audience if they fall through the ice, they need to stay calm, take a breath and then support themselves as they pull themselves out. “Have a plan. If you’re going to be out there, people should know where you are,” he said.

Frank Levinson discusses ice safety while having fun on the lake.

Levinson has been testing the ice on Lake Wawasee and said it ranges from open water to 14 inches with 4 inches the minimum needed to for ice fishing or the lightest ice boat.

He discussed clearing the ice on the lake for ice skating, suggesting using snow blower to clear snow off the ice and a 30 – inch squeegee makes a great Zamboni machine for a home rink. Winds on the lake may be 5-10 miles an hour, which is enough to push someone on skates.

Levinson advised having plastic lawn chairs for skating newbies to use for support or to rest if they get tired.

When it comes to polar plunging, safety still applies. Levinson said when opening the ice, the ice block will be too heavy to pull out. It can be shoved under the ice, but care must be taken that it doesn’t pop out after someone has jumped in. The hole should be clearly marked for ice boaters and ice fishermen to avoid.

When cutting a hole in the ice, Levinson said he doesn’t recommend using a chain saw as it will leave oil on the ice and in the water. He recommends using an old fashioned ice saw.

Plungers should wear hand and foot protection. When getting out, have towels handy and do not head for a hot shower right way. Instead take a few minutes to warm up.

Bob Fanning discussed ice boating. He started ice boating 22 years ago. He went out for a ride on a Sunday afternoon and that Thursday purchased his first boat. “It’s addicting,” he said.

Bob Fanning, right, discusses ice boating at the WACF’s Lake Talk & Eats Saturday morning, Feb. 1.

He reviewed the history of ice boats which were used to transport goods on the Hudson River. The ice boats would actually race the trains on nearby tracks and win.

Fanning explained ice boating begins on Lake Wawasee the first weekend of November when several ice boaters head for a swap meet in Michigan.

“And then we spend Thursday nights telling lies about last year until the ice forms,” he said.

Fanning went on to explain how he uses the Ashton Ice Growth method for determining if the ice is thick enough to ice boat.

The next Winter Lake Talks & Eats will be from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at the WACF Education Center. The topic will be protecting the lake while maintaining a healthy yard and property.