I'd like to say December 18th or so but not sure the weather forecast will hold ice that week. I'm guessing December 26th 12:00. I hope to be poking around some smaller ponds before that but who knows . Just got back from Maine, a lot of small ponds already locked up. I'm over 50 now so things have changed a bit . I still love the ice but take it a little easier now.
My little four acre pond is locked up tight now. I was out on it all day today cutting up trees that fell into the pond during the May tornadoes. I am in New Fairfield so anything small and north of me should be safe by now.