Frozen 2024

The sun rose for the first time this winter over a completely frozen Devil’s Lake on Jan 14th, 2024. The temp at dawn was -10 to -12. The first ice fisherman was out on the ice just one day later, which we don’t recommend. The ice at this point is thin and fragile in most areas, and it is not safe to venture out onto the ice right now. How does this year’s freeze-up date compare with other years?

How Much Ice Is Safe?

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommends a minimum of 4 inches of new, clear ice for activities like ice fishing, and at least 5 inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. (Note that the DNR does not monitor the ice for safety.)

When Will That Be?

It can take anywhere from 2-5 weeks after the thin layer forms to achieve a thickness of 4 inches, assuming nighttime lows are below 20 degrees F and daytime highs remain around or below freezing during that timeframe. We expect daily high temperatures to rise into the mid to upper 30s in about 1 week.

Derrick Mayoleth

For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.