My plans for an early October trip were dashed but I'd still like to make it up for a 4-5 day trip. The weather next week looks cool but decent but I'm wondering about ice? Anyone been up in the last couple of days? Will I have trouble next week?

Thanks!

just got back from the Trail. smaller ponds were skimming over. you might check with rockwood for ice conditions. there was snow, wind, rain, sun.... perfect weather.

Yeah, we just got back Sunday night. Went through Winchell and Ogema in that area. The smaller ponds and most of the landings had ice. The Ogema portage was particularly difficult descending with ice. Muskeg was about half frozen, and most of South Temperance had a quarter inch of ice.

It was 21 degrees on Friday night and 26 Saturday night.

I think you are pushing your luck. Nighttime temps are below freezing every night.
I've been iced in before and while it's exciting, it can pose problems. Especially small lakes or streams that you might need for navigation.

I didn't know this but water can remain liquid below freezing if it's agitated. I once camped on Gabbro Lake during mid November. While I was paddling to the campsite, it was very windy that day with a lot of waves. It had been very cold for days leading up to my trip. During the night while in camp I work up at 3AM and noticed how quiet it had become. Very still.
I poked my head out of the tent at dawn to find the entire lake had froze over. It was 15'. I could see a tiny spot about the size of a swimming pool in the middle of the lake that was open. I was able to skip rocks across the ice. I figured it if had froze over that fast and thick over the night that it was getting thicker by the minute.

In a panic, I tossed all my gear and tent into my pack, did away with my nice bacon and egg breakfast and pounded my way out of there through ice the whole way. It took four hours to crash paddle 2 miles back to the entry point.

It was great fun, the best ever but it scared me a little too.

Tom

Thanks for the input everyone. Sounds like a plan B is in order! I might do a mid Minnesota Mississippi river outing instead and hit some Fall smallmouths.

Late October trips, almost always have shore ice in the morning. It'll melt and if you stick to bigger lakes - should be fine. If you're worried, but really looking to head north, pick a route with some current - Kawishiwi river comes to mind or even a river outside of the BW - Upper St. Louis has some great paddling and decent sites. Same can be said about the upper Cloquet. You can make a two night, three day trip from Indian to Island pretty easily.

Late October trips, almost always have shore ice in the morning. It'll melt and if you stick to bigger lakes - should be fine. If you're worried, but really looking to head north, pick a route with some current - Kawishiwi river comes to mind or even a river outside of the BW - Upper St. Louis has some great paddling and decent sites. Same can be said about the upper Cloquet. You can make a two night, three day trip from Indian to Island pretty easily.