After this extremely warm temperatures this week, what is the status of snow pack and ice on the lakes?

You are probably looking for first-hand accounts of ice conditions on the northern lakes, but you might also find this useful as well while you wait for others to chime in:

2023 MN Lake Ice-Out Map

Sorry, I was out fueling my snowblower here in Duluth. What was the question?

Kawishiwi Lake EP #37 yesterday

gravelroad: "Sorry, I was out fueling my snowblower here in Duluth. What was the question?








"

Yep - same here in Lakeside. Although, I quit clearing the snow about a month ago and am now on the "It'll melt" plan. Just yestarday though, I ran up to the cabin (halfway between Two Harbors and Ely) to start clearing out the snow. It was still knee deep on the driveway.

Speckled: "

gravelroad: "Sorry, I was out fueling my snowblower here in Duluth. What was the question?









"

Yep - same here in Lakeside. Although, I quit clearing the snow about a month ago and am now on the "It'll melt" plan. Just yestarday though, I ran up to the cabin (halfway between Two Harbors and Ely) to start clearing out the snow. It was still knee deep on the driveway."

Like this !
let's catch some brookies

It will be tough to get an update from the feds today.

Still plenty of ice to fish on. Crappies are biting, temps are mild. Paradise.

Our ice is usually out the 18 - 20th. This is a rare year it goes beyond. But it’s going. I can’t step out on the ice. But we have three pretty cold nights this weekend. Snow today and tonight...

looks like the gunflint trail got some fresh snow the past days, loooking at webcams. look like winter is holding on

We got 10" of snow on Monday near Clearwater Road off the Gunflint Trail and some more today. So it looks like winter again. The new snow isn't really melting very quick either.

nctry: "Our ice is usually out the 18 - 20th. This is a rare year it goes beyond. But it’s going. I can’t step out on the ice. But we have three pretty cold nights this weekend. Snow today and tonight..."

Where is your ice?

Large/deeper lakes in the Arrowhead I'd bet alot of $$ right now have some ice on them on fishing opener (if not able to ice fish a few of them). and yes- you can use two lines if your on the ice.

LarryS48: "

nctry: "Our ice is usually out the 18 - 20th. This is a rare year it goes beyond. But it’s going. I can’t step out on the ice. But we have three pretty cold nights this weekend. Snow today and tonight..."

Where is your ice?"

nctry lives near Goodland MN by Grand Rapids.

This morning in East Grand Forks MN. Eight inches of snow.
But the ice was off the pond on the river in Thief River Falls MN so there is hope. Would have added a picture but it’s not working this morning may be me, recovering from the wings at the great wing night on Wednesday. Thanks Adam and Gray Duck Canoes!
Carl

Looks like winter in the Ely area. 9 inches of fresh snow on the lakes and in the woods.

Going to be a late ice out.
sometime in May

LarryS48: "

nctry: "Our ice is usually out the 18 - 20th. This is a rare year it goes beyond. But it’s going. I can’t step out on the ice. But we have three pretty cold nights this weekend. Snow today and tonight..."

Where is your ice?"

In my fridge... haha!

Every morning now I look out and think of the movie Ground Hog Day... I’m 100 miles basically west of Ely. West side of the Iron Range. Typically the ice would be out and it is trying. We have a couple nights here we could actually make ice. But I’m pretty confident we’ll only be a couple weeks late at the most. When it goes, it goes fast. The Arrowhead region of Minnesota is a little behind that. But I’m guessing it’ll be out at least a week before opener... most lakes anyways. The sun will be out and that has as much or more effect then the temps this time of year. I used to shutter the week of ice out because old Bernie was so excited about it she’d go play on the same stuff I rescued dogs from. She’d play on the ice and it was a game to her to fall in and climb back up on it... all while having a big chunk of ice in her mouth.

I know a guessed ice out in April several weeks ago, but now I'm guessing May 10, for Shagawa.

I drove by Lake Bemidji on Tuesday morning and there was ice on the lake except where the Mississippi river runs in and that open water was expanding. It will still be a while before that lake opens fully.

Island Lake north of Duluth this afternoon. I think I’ll be paddling here in a scant few days:

On the other hand I had great skate skiing off the Echo Trail Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There's more than one way to travel the lakes.