How to Melt Five Inches of Ice in Five Days

Global warming?...El Nina?...Year ending with an "8"...what ever! I should not be able to fish from the end of my dock on January 9, 2008. Nope, I did not have to chop a hole or even skim ice. Just baited the hook with a couple of wax worms, drop it into the water, and pull out Blue Gill.

November 2007 Oakland County (Pontiac) Temperatures
This has been a very unusual winter in southeastern Michigan. From the middle of November through the middle of December, we actually had snow on the ground. Then just before Christmas, temperatures began to moderate and most of the snow melted.
December 2007 Oakland County (Pontiac) Temperatures

The middle of January is normally southeastern Michigan's coldest month with an average high temperature of only 25 degrees F. The last 5 days have been in the mid 50's to low 60's with about 2 inches of rain.
That was after more than 13 inches January 2008 Oakland County (Pontiac) Temperatures
of snow the weekend before.

If you're considering moving to southeastern Michigan, Oakland County, my neighborhood in White Lake Twp, or anywhere in North America, take a moment to review temperature, wind, and precipitation history on http://weatherunderground.com. Their history goes back to 1996 and includes daily, weekly, monthly, or custom histories up to a year in length.

For all you ice fishermen, ice conditions are definately unsafe throught southeastern Michigan. More up to date information about fishing and ice conditions throughout Michigan is available on the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Weekly Fishing Report.