By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

LACONIA – Open water season in the Lakes Region has begun with Emerson Aviation calling ice out today at 7:02 a.m. on Lake Winnipesaukee.

A link to Emerson’s video is here https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=1400768644599680&rdid=LvsSc08EnfoZs3cJ

For decades the Laconia based aviation company has been the arbiter of when ice is out by flying over the big lake and watching its progress.

It is a wager for those who have lived and froze in the Lakes Region all winter and at winnipesaukee.com many were posting at how close they came to making the right prediction and how they are looking forward to time on and in the water. 

Not to be out done, just to the north, Squam Lakes Association also announced ice out for Sqaum in an email.

“We’re excited to announce that ice-out has officially been declared on Squam Lake as of April 16, 2025! Based on our observations, we’re confident the ice officially went out in the wee hours of the morning, marking a long-awaited sign that spring has truly arrived.

“Ice-out is a tradition in the Squam community, declared when a boat can safely navigate from the Ashland covered bridge, through Little Squam Lake and the channel, and to Sandwich Beach. This signals the transition from winter to spring and brings with it the anticipation of another great season on the lake.

“Our neighbors on Lake Winnipesaukee also celebrated their ice-out today. On Winnipesaukee, ice-out is declared when the M/S Mount Washington cruise ship can reach all five of its ports—Alton Bay, Center Harbor, Weirs Beach, Meredith, and Wolfeboro without encountering ice.”