Time to heat up outdoors scene

Because I do not spend much time ice fishing on these winter days, I will safely say I have had enough of the snow, ice and Arctic-like temperatures pretending to be "normal" winter conditions.

I have not been able to escape the craziness here because of family commitments, but for those good folks who have been dipping their toes in the aqua-blue waters of the Florida Keys, I salute you.

So I ask you, had enough of the salt-encrusted coverings on your vehicles?

Had enough of high natural gas bills?

Had enough of bruised elbows and painful knee injuries incurred after a tumble on the ice? You are not alone.

There are some serious statistics being tossed out to the public now.

Freezing Arctic temperatures may be good for ice fishermen and sightseers on the Great Lakes, but few expected this year's deep freeze to trump 2014's 92.5 percent ice coverage - which made last year the second iciest since 1973. Yet frigid temperatures have advanced ice cover across the lakes, which according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), recently reached 80.9 percent.

Experts - and there are always experts on hand - said that in recent days, 2015's ice coverage has been consistently outpacing last year's ice growth, leading many to expect that 2015 may make a run for the record. In fact, those very same experts believe that the extensive ice coverage could actually lead to cooler temperatures in spring, causing higher lake levels and a later spawning season for fish. Really?

Those hoping for a warmer March should brace for disappointment.

The National Weather Service has predicted that next month will likely be colder than the region is used to, balanced by above-average temperatures starting in April. If the lake ice lasts beyond the April thaw, it could affect spring temperatures.

And even more startling information is emerging.

Lengthy ice coverage could also delay the development of algae, possibly preventing fish-killing algae blooms. Yet ice is not always a good thing, especially for wildlife. Last year's icy conditions have resulted in a large-scale decline of waterfowl, especially ducks. Unable to break through the ice to get at the minnows that are their main food source, ducks either starved or were forced to eat toxic zebra mussels. Experts say that winter kills are always expected, but 2014's duck decline was especially notable.

"This is unprecedented," said some biologists. "These are the scientists who've worked here (NOAA) for 35 years have never seen anything like this."

Connie Adams, a biologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, told the Associated Press last year, "We've seen a decline in tens of thousands in our weekly waterfowl counts."

The NOAA brain trusts contend that If the ice lasts long enough, climatologists say it could even cause a cooler summer later this year.

So, I ask you, fellow angler, do we make shore lunch with whole wheat bread and northern pike or do we sit on the rocks at Montrose Harbor and try and scare up a few perch?

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.