With snow still falling it’s hard to believe it’s time for the start of the Ossipee Lake Ice-Out Contest. The contest, sponsored by the Ossipee Recreation Department and New England Rod and Reel, is an annual event in which entrants guess the precise time at which Ossipee Lake is ruled to be ice-free. The winner receives a new fishing rod and reel. Last year’s official ice-out was at 4 p.m. on March 24. That was the earliest date in 17 years, according to Broad Bay’s Bob Smart. Smart says that despite last year’s early date, in most years there is ice on Ossipee Lake through much of April.