Maine lakes and ponds are beginning to freeze as winter sets in, but ice conditions remain variable across the state. Early ice can be unpredictable, and thickness can differ from one area to another, even on the same waterbody.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife provides winter fishing reports with notes on ice conditions and safety guidelines, as well as an ice safety web page with recommendations on checking ice thickness.
The Lake Stewards of Maine maintain an ice-in and ice-out map that tracks when lakes freeze over and thaw, based on volunteer observations. While it does not provide ice thickness measurements, it can help confirm whether ice has formed before seeking local thickness reports.
Community‑reported ice measurements are available in the Ice Thickness in Maine Facebook group, where members share recent ice thickness reports and conditions.
Advertisement
Cold Stream Pond south of Lincoln in March. The milky, whitish-gray ice shows ripples and varying textures, indicating inconsistent thickness, with some areas appearing thinner or wet near the shoreline. Credit: Susan Bard / BDN
Walking generally requires 4-6 inches of clear ice, snowmobiles or ATVs need 5-7 inches and cars or small trucks require 8-12 inches. Ice can be thinner near inlets, outlets, springs or areas with underwater currents. Ice thickness should be measured in multiple locations with an ice chisel or pick.
For the most current location-specific conditions, people traveling from farther away can contact an IFW regional office during the week to speak with a biologist or warden familiar with local waters and how ice usually forms there.
Clear, dark ice on West Grand Lake in early February. The transparent appearance indicates solid, dense ice that formed quickly under cold conditions. This type of clear ice is generally stronger than cloudy or white ice of the same thickness. Credit: Susan Bard / BDN
Many snowmobile clubs post ice and trail conditions on their websites and Facebook pages, using reports from local riders and volunteers. Bait shops are another reliable source, often sharing recent firsthand information from anglers already on the ice, while sporting camps that operate in winter track conditions on nearby lakes and ponds and can provide updates for visitors.
Despite retaliation from their employer, nurses affirm their commitment to their patients and their union
Over two years since Northern Maine Medical Center (NMMC) first formed their union and began bargaining in good faith for a first contract, nurses remain committed to the patients they serve, and to making their hospital the best place it can be for everyone. Union nurses at NMMC signed the letter they released today, which says in part:
“Over the past two years, you have no doubt heard about the conflict that has grown between the hospital and us.
We want you to know that we never asked for this fight. The initiative to organize our union was to protect ourselves and our patients, not to punish any individuals or the hospital as a whole.”
The nurses’ letter goes on to say that their immediate goals as a union include: winning safe staffing for nurses and patients, promoting transparency and accountability at NMMC, retaining our local providers and staff, and making their hospital sustainable for the long term.
Advertisement
Terry Caron, RN and member of the nurses’ bargaining team said: “Two years ago, we decided to have a voice for ourselves and our patients by forming our union. The NMMC administration could have met us halfway, but it did not. It has only fought us and tried to punish us for speaking up. But we are as committed to our goals as ever. We will never stop fighting for our patients.”
NMMC nurses were joined today by Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry, gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson, and U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner. They echoed the nurses’ call for NMMC CEO Jeff Zewe to stop his retaliation against the nurses and to finalize the union contract for which the nurses have been bargaining for most of the past two years.
Maine State Nurses Association is part of National Nurses Organizing Committee, representing 4,000 nurses and other caregivers from Portland to Fort Kent. NNOC is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing labor union of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide.
Max McClung scored 12 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, and the Windy City Bulls went on a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 121-106 win over the Maine Celtics in an NBA G League game Friday night at the Portland Expo.
Kevin Knox II added 30 points, 21 in the second half.
Amari Williams led the Celtics with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Bridges made six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points, but the Celtics dropped to 2-8 in their last 10 games. Maine has lost four straight games at the Expo.
Press Herald sports writers nominate high school athletes from the prior week’s games.
Readers vote for their top choice and the winner will be announced in the newspapers the following Sunday all season long!
Advertisement
You are able to gift 5 more articles this month.
Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more.
Article link sent!
An error has occurred. Please try again.
Advertisement
With a The Portland Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month.
It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. To get one, go to the subscriptions page.
Advertisement
With a The Portland Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month.
