How thick is the ice up there?

about 3 feet on most lakes

Thick

holy smokes!

I'm hoping for a big warming trend and a first week of May Ice Out......but it might be closer to the second week at this point.

quote QueticoMike: "I'm hoping for a big warming trend and a first week of May Ice Out......but it might be closer to the second week at this point."

The second week right now is very shaky, will need above averages temps for that to happen. The ice would have to be pulling away from the shorelines by May 1st at the very latest for that to happen, and May 1st is in 7 days.

quote QueticoMike: "I'm hoping for a big warming trend and a first week of May Ice Out......but it might be closer to the second week at this point."

QueticoMike,
Ain't gonna happen unless we get 7-10 days of 50-60 degrees(24/7)with wind and rain, even though I wish it would!

I'm hoping the second weekend of fishing has open water, but that may not happen either. Burntside's latest historical ice out is May 25th! Unfortunately, we may break that long standing record this year! :(

just for reference, prior lake in the twin cities is one or two days away from tying the latest ice out record. the way its looking, that record will be broken.

quote The Great Outdoors: "

quote QueticoMike: "I'm hoping for a big warming trend and a first week of May Ice Out......but it might be closer to the second week at this point."

QueticoMike,
Ain't gonna happen unless we get 7-10 days of 50-60 degrees(24/7)with wind and rain, even though I wish it would!

I'm hoping the second weekend of fishing has open water, but that may not happen either. Burntside's latest historical ice out is May 25th! Unfortunately, we may break that long standing record this year! :(

"

Well I'll keep my fingers crossed and pray for warm temps. I have a May 25th entry into Quetico, I hope I don't have to wait at Willaims and Hall for the ice to go out. The latest I remember it ever going out was back in 1996 when I think the ice came off like May 16th or so. Trout fishing was easy that year :)

Not to worry!
Things are way behind the 1996 winter, as far as snow on the ground and ice thickness.
Williams and Hall can find things for you to do while you wait for the lake to be ice free, which should be no later than June 17th!!
Bwahahahahahahahaha

quote The Great Outdoors: "Not to worry!
Things are way behind the 1996 winter, as far as snow on the ground and ice thickness.
Williams and Hall can find things for you to do while you wait for the lake to be ice free, which should be no later than June 17th!!
Bwahahahahahahahaha"

At least the late ice out isn't going to hurt my business, just maybe part of a vacation. I have another trip planned for June 29th as well. I have already caught nice smallmouth, pike, and catfish this year down here where we are ice free all year.

Bwahahahahahahahhahahaha

The entire winter had poor fishing and bad weather, so I'm used to getting a butt kicking from Mother Nature and just shrug it off.
You should be good for the trip on June 29th, maybe!
Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!

Am I crazy to think with the up coming warmer weather, I will be able to paddle Little Indian Sioux May 10th and into some of the smaller lakes near LLC?

Also, for those of you who are residents of the Ely area- I think I read somewhere that LLC opens up sooner than some of the big lakes to the east; any truth to that, or am I just sounding desperate?!

Pete

That is possible, as rivers and small lakes open up quickly.
As for LLC, don't hold your breath!

Yeah, I figured as much. I reckon there's plenty of good, smaller lakes in the area that would be just fine.

It'll be an exciting trip whether we make it to the big lake or not. I've never caught a LLC Laker- with some good luck, maybe this will be my year, maybe not.

I'm going closer to the gunflint on may 29 and taking a day trip to try some laker fishing maybe on june 1st...does this late ice out mean I could see some prime and shallow laker fishing when I'm going?

quote kayakrookie1: "I'm going closer to the gunflint on may 29 and taking a day trip to try some laker fishing maybe on june 1st...does this late ice out mean I could see some prime and shallow laker fishing when I'm going?"

I would think so