SUN JOURNAL • January 22, 2021
Scott Williams, executive director of Lake Stewards of Maine, said in recent years, there has been heightened focus on ice-in and ice-out in lakes due to its impact on water quality. “Our lakes here in Maine are pretty clear and clean in no small part because of our cold climate and the fact that they are covered with ice for several months of the year.” While temperatures have dipped this week, a warm January led to thin ice for much of the state's lakes. The slow freeze, experts say, could also stem from a hot summer. The state recommends keeping off any ice that is not at least 4 inches thick. It’s recommended that snowmobiles need at least 5 to 6 inches, and cars and small trucks need 8 to 12.