Lake Willoughby 03-28-26

[Laura Bonk]

Hello-- 

Lake Willoughby had very consistent hard gray ice. Albeit most skaters would consider it to be too bumpy.  I did not encounter shell ice or snow.  With microspikes, I walked across the widest part of the lake and then south to a pressure ridge (the first of two bisecting the lake). 

The lake is perfect for ice boaters, kiters, kitewings and others on skis.  Intrepid skaters will enjoy the hard and consistent surface.  My companions were kitewinging on skis and hardly noticed the bumps (and they were flying fast with the wind). 

I enjoyed my leisurely walk after double poling around Moore Reservoir earlier and didn't use my skates or kitewing.

We launched from Route 5A boat launch just north of the Willoughby store. The ice is melting from the edge but still accessible without a plank.

There's a spectacular pressure ridge running east to west and about 1-2 miles south of the boat launch.  I walked most of it's length and did not find a safe crossing.  Ice boaters will most likely not be able to cross it. However, plenty of good ice north of the pressure ridge for ice boats and others.

If it gets warm and refreezes, Willoughby could be spectacular.

Laura 

Laura M. Bonk, MS, MBA
Certified Safety Professional

PO Box 194
Suncook, NH 03275
(603) 340-3524