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By LARRY GRARD
Staff Writer 12/08/2007

Staff Writer

With no real warm-ups in sight, China Lake is, as the natives say, pretty well "caught."

Temperatures that ran slightly below normal in November, followed by a cold early December, have iced over many lakes and ponds in the state. It's shaping up like an early winter for fun in the snow and on the ice.

But not yet, the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife warns.

"People are so eager to get out and do outdoor activities," said Deb Turcotte, director of information and education for the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. "But it's unsafe. Don't venture out."

Turcotte said the department considers an ice thickness of 4 to 6 inches to be safe on some lakes, but requires much as 6 to 8 inches on others.

Henry and Rachel Bourque, who have lived on the west end of China Lake near The Landing for 50 years, said that in the old days, the lake was ice-covered in November. But in terms of recent history, this is early.

"All it takes is a quiet night, down to zero, with no wind, and she caught," Henry Bourque said. "It froze over the day before yesterday, when it was seven below that morning."

Bourque did point to a slice of open water under the bridge that crosses the causeway.

He said that neighborhood youngsters have their own method of testing.

"You'll see kids out there throwing rocks down by the stand, to see if they can break it," he said. "They'll be out this weekend on the ice."

Les Ames, who lives on the east end, said China Lake usually freezes by Christmas.

"Unless we got a warm spell, and I don't see a warm spell, I think she's caught now," Ames said.

Turcotte acknowledged that, compared to recent years, the ice has come early.

"Can you believe how cold it's been?" she asked. "It is happening earlier this year. Last year, Moosehead didn't freeze until Feb. 5.

"I'm hearing there's ice on some lakes but with some open spots. A strong wind can break them up."

Dave Jones, a trail master in Jackman, said conditions up there are about the same as China.

"Everything up here's about two inches, but nothing's safe," Jones said.

Big lakes, such as Moosehead and Rangeley, of course, will not get caught as easily by early cold.

Sitting within view of the western Maine jewel on Friday, Evelyn McAllister, executive director of the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce, said Friday that the lake was ice-free. But McAllister had just finished talking to a beaver trapper who was happy about the early winter.

"He said there's early ice on the small bodies," McAllister said. "It was been quite cold for the past few weeks, but then it always used to be that way."

Larry Grard -- 474-9534, Ext. 343

lgrard@centralmaine.com

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