BWCA Ice Out Map 2017 and spring conditions Boundary Waters Listening Point

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Listening Point - General Discussion

Ice Out Map 2017 and spring conditions

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Pinetree

03/06/2017 07:22AM

Well up by Mille lacs area people still fishing but are walking out on the ice or by ATV. We had about 19 inches of ice Saturday before it got up to 59 degrees F.(yes crappies were biting real good). Sundays night low was 46 degrees F.(about 40 degrees above normal). Today's high will be about 57 degrees,so were losing ice and were pretty much snow free.

How you doing in your nick of the woods? ice out map

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AmarilloJim

03/06/2017 07:39AM

Water temp was 48 on my lake this past weekend.
Pre-spawn walleye bite is on

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schweady

03/06/2017 08:10AM

Ice Out Map
No 2017 reports yet ;-) but interesting to compare extremes like 2012 and 2013.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Canoearoo

03/06/2017 08:25AM

I just got back from a bwca trip. The ice was almost three feet thick still and the overnight low was - 10. it doesn't look like spring is coming there soon.

Life jackets float, you don't!

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Pinetree

03/06/2017 09:09AM

quote Canoearoo: "I just got back from a bwca trip. The ice was almost three feet thick still and the overnight low was - 10. it doesn't look like spring is coming there soon."

Which end of the BWCA?
You can usually figure the Gunflint end will be the last to go.

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dele

03/06/2017 09:20AM

The Minneapolis city lakes are on the edge of losing their ice. Big pockets of open water near inlets are eating away at the ice. But if we can get past tomorrow, it should last a good while yet, as much more seasonable temperatures are expected starting Wednesday.

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HighnDry

03/06/2017 09:32AM

It's probably time for the Ice-out predictions thread between Gunflint Lake and Shegawa in Ely. It should be an interesting Spring!

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

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The Great Outdoors

03/06/2017 10:15AM

Burntside Lake near Ely has about 17-18 inches of ice, BUT no snow on it,
It will melt quickly if we don't get anymore snow.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Pinetree

03/06/2017 10:24AM

quote The Great Outdoors: "Burntside Lake near Ely has about 17-18 inches of ice, BUT no snow on it,
It will melt quickly if we don't get anymore snow."

Thanks TGO-

further south like Mille lacs now with 50 degrees and wind gusts like 25MPH the ice is melting,but suppose to cool down some this week.

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Atb

03/06/2017 10:33AM

Lotus Lake near my house in the TC metro is starting to break up. Shallows are open, and there are a couple mid-lake holes. The next couple days of warm temps and rain could open it up, otherwise it will probably be another week or so as we are getting colder again mid-week.

I thought about putting my canoe in yesterday afternoon. I could have launched and paddled about 1/4 mile to a creek inlet...

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Mocha

03/06/2017 10:33AM

quote HighnDry: "It's probably time for the Ice-out predictions thread between Gunflint Lake and Shegawa in Ely. It should be an interesting Spring!"

gunflint lake webcam live, like a video.

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WhiteWolf

03/06/2017 11:21AM

Yeah as Pinetree says--- it's really going to cool down later this week. Especially W of MN.

Forecast temps for 6am Friday, March 10th.

6pm temps Fri evening--

This contrast in temps is going to fuel a snowstorm likely just to the S of most reading this on Friday/Sat.

Things should really start to moderate around the 22nd-23rd.

People in IA,NE etc--- you don't even wanna see how much snow is possible (unless you love winter) over the next 10 days. It's double what most have seen the entire winter,, and in some cases -- triple. Time well tell,, but winter is trying to get the last laugh.

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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WhiteWolf

03/06/2017 11:29AM

quote Canoearoo: "I just got back from a bwca trip. The ice was almost three feet thick still and the overnight low was - 10. it doesn't look like spring is coming there soon."

Not full of it. It was -17F at both Crane Lake and Ely last Friday AM.

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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WhiteWolf

03/06/2017 11:48AM

6-10 day temp anomaly forecast by the EUROPEEeans---

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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Canoearoo

03/06/2017 01:27PM

quote WhiteWolf: "
quote Canoearoo: "I just got back from a bwca trip. The ice was almost three feet thick still and the overnight low was - 10. it doesn't look like spring is coming there soon."

Not full of it. It was -17F at both Crane Lake and Ely last Friday AM."

We were on clearwater up the gunflint

Life jackets float, you don't!

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Sandman2009

03/06/2017 06:29PM

"People in IA,NE etc--- you don't even wanna see how much snow is possible (unless you love winter) over the next 10 days. It's double what most have seen the entire winter,, and in some cases -- triple. Time well tell,, but winter is trying to get the last laugh."

Whitewolf, will southern MN, get in on this action:)?

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RLJ

03/06/2017 06:46PM

White Bear Lake this afternoon, rain and thunder right now. The ducks are happy.

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hobbydog

03/06/2017 07:43PM

Prior Lake is really rotten, some holes opening up. It will be interesting to see what the high winds that are predicted over the next 24 hours will do to it.

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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WhiteWolf

03/07/2017 05:58AM

quote Sandman2009: "
"People in IA,NE etc--- you don't even wanna see how much snow is possible (unless you love winter) over the next 10 days. It's double what most have seen the entire winter,, and in some cases -- triple. Time well tell,, but winter is trying to get the last laugh."

Whitewolf, will southern MN, get in on this action:)?"

There are going to be two systems in the next week or so. The first will be early in this upcoming weekend. The 2nd will be late in the upcoming weekend. The 1st "looks" to stay mainly IA and NE and then onto the Southeast -- though some light snows cannot be ruled out for S.MN at this time The 2nd gives S.MN a better shot at (in fact most of the state and region) accumulating snowfall late Sunday into Monday.
BTW-
Around -10F to -15f for lows FRI AM in the Arrowhead and likely not getting out of the single digits for highs FRI PM. Parts of ND are going to challenge min records ,, but likely come up just short with lows near -20F and wind chills near -40F. The bitter wind chills will also extend into most of N.MN. Predicted wind chills FRI AM--

What a weird winter. Seattle had more snow then MPLS in the months of JAN/FEB--- first time in 50 years.

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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HighnDry

03/07/2017 07:03AM

Ice out at muddy, shallow Wood lake in SW Minneapolis. Tornado in Princeton last night. High winds and maybe reach 40s. It's a rollercoaster weather pattern.

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

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BWPaddler

03/07/2017 12:03PM

I'm calling it - ICE OUT official on my SW metro lake in the Cities. Broke a record by one day set in 1987 of March 8th.

Yesterday, my car said 65 degrees. This morning, there was new snow on my deck. This afternoon, the entire lake is wide open. I'd go paddle, but there are whitecaps from the wind!

Go figure.

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

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WhiteWolf

03/07/2017 12:20PM

quote BWPaddler: "I'm calling it - ICE OUT official on my SW metro lake in the Cities. Broke a record by one day set in 1987 of March 8th.

Yesterday, my car said 65 degrees. This morning, there was new snow on my deck. This afternoon, the entire lake is wide open. I'd go paddle, but there are whitecaps from the wind!

Go figure."

What happens when it freezes back over this weekend? LOL :O) Does that count as ice out or ice in? Technically - (it happens in the S more then you think) and once the ice goes ,, no matter if it refreezes , the initial ice out counts. Sucks if you canoe and your like> WTF?

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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HighnDry

03/07/2017 12:31PM

ice on, ice off...

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

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nofish

03/07/2017 01:32PM

Couple small lakes near me in St. Paul are probably half open as of today. Although these lakes have aerators on them so they have a chunk of open water all year long so they had a head start. Any open water there is allows this wind to chew up a lot of ice in a hurry.

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BWPaddler

03/07/2017 02:35PM

quote WhiteWolf: "
quote BWPaddler: "I'm calling it - ICE OUT official on my SW metro lake in the Cities. Broke a record by one day set in 1987 of March 8th.

Yesterday, my car said 65 degrees. This morning, there was new snow on my deck. This afternoon, the entire lake is wide open. I'd go paddle, but there are whitecaps from the wind!

Go figure."

What happens when it freezes back over this weekend? LOL :O) Does that count as ice out or ice in? Technically - (it happens in the S more then you think) and once the ice goes ,, no matter if it refreezes , the initial ice out counts. Sucks if you canoe and your like> WTF?"

Good question! I think that's what must have happened in 1987, because they list TWO ice-outs in the records. 3/8 and 3/14. So maybe it melted 3/8, re-froze, then melted again. I wasn't here in 1987.

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

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Pinetree

03/07/2017 04:53PM

lot of lakes iceout on the map today.

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schweady

03/07/2017 09:59PM

quote Pinetree: "lot of lakes iceout on the map today."

I wonder if it might be worth a little driving tour along the east side of some lakes. If the conditions were just right, there would have to be some impressive ice piles from this wind.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Pinetree

03/07/2017 10:04PM

quote schweady: "
quote Pinetree: "lot of lakes iceout on the map today."

I wonder if it might be worth a little driving tour along the east side of some lakes. If the conditions were just right, there would have to be some impressive ice piles from this wind.
"

I wonder about Mille Lacs. Sometimes they need a little room to move around before pushing and it was tight to shore,but with these huge winds it might of moved.

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schweady

03/07/2017 10:19PM

quote Pinetree: "
quote schweady: "
quote Pinetree: "lot of lakes iceout on the map today."

I wonder if it might be worth a little driving tour along the east side of some lakes. If the conditions were just right, there would have to be some impressive ice piles from this wind.
"

I wonder about Mille Lacs. Sometimes they need a little room to move around before pushing and it was tight to shore,but with these huge winds it might of moved."

Take a look at MODIS Today. East shore of Mille Lacs pretty bright white and looking thin around Kathio. Otter Tail and West Battle look like they may be worth a drive for me tomorrow, too. (seen just on the southern edge of the cloud cover in this one)

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Pinetree

03/08/2017 07:51AM

Mille lacs web cam

Looks like all ice except the one with last summers picture

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nofish

03/08/2017 08:43AM

You can add como lake in st. paul to the ice out list. Only had a few spots of ice piled up along the south shore this morning. Would be a nice paddle today if anyone is looking to get some white cap work in.

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Atb

03/08/2017 10:36AM

West Metro is opening up. Lotus and a number of the smaller lakes by me are clear. If it wasn't so windy I could have taken my new Prism for a maiden voyage.

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WhiteWolf

03/10/2017 06:49AM

-13F at Grand Marais Arpt this AM with wind chill of -34F.
Metro Lake in the Cities where I grew up opened in the wind earlier this week and is now locking back up . Temp +3 with wind chill in the - teens. BRRRRR

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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Zulu

03/10/2017 07:03AM

It's 49 degrees at sunrise here on Roosevelt Lake in Arizona. The ice went out here in 10,456 BC.

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nctry

03/10/2017 09:13AM

Nice Pat! We only had 10 or 12 below. I'm looking forward to forties next weekend.

Nctry

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riverrunner

03/10/2017 12:17PM

No ice here in Yuma to

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Pinetree

03/10/2017 12:44PM

quote Zulu: " It's 49 degrees at sunrise here on Roosevelt Lake in Arizona. The ice went out here in 10,456 BC. "

Looks so nice.

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Zulu

03/10/2017 01:16PM

Yes the Tonto National Forest Campgrounds on Lake Roosevelt in Arizona are nice. This is the third winter I have stayed at this walkin tent site for several weeks. Its $8 a night ($4 for over 62 with pass) has good water and hot showers. The limit to stay here is 6 months. Good fishing and hiking nearby. Tonto Basin is 11 miles away and has supplies.

Its not Scottsdale or Paradise Valley but works for thrifty Snowbirds until they strike it rich.

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riverrunner

03/14/2017 09:33AM

Looks like things have really slowed down.

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Pinetree

03/14/2017 09:40AM

were going the other way-making ice. That will change in a few days.

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Grandma L

03/14/2017 10:22AM

I have had it with ice and snow - I think Zulu has the right idea.

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Zulu

03/14/2017 02:05PM

I "had' the right idea Grandma. I just arrived back in Minnesota to share the cold and snow misery with the other northerners.

It was fun feeling the heat while it lasted. I hope spring arrives on time.

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Pinetree

03/14/2017 04:13PM

Out fishing today on a small lake by Brainerd it had only 14 inches of ice. It had up to 21 inches earlier.

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WhiteWolf

03/15/2017 02:08AM

Many if not all the lakes listed for "Ice out" and dates listed, are not this morning due to the recent cold spell by definition listed on the site posted above. (-11F in Windom,MN). One would be confused if a canoe trip depended on it. Does anyone know for sure if the early ice outs a week ago or so count ( some apparent records) while they are locked up now? And the opposite--- in the fall do lakes that freeze-- and then re-open count for the early date?? This has happened in recent years (2013) as well as many other years without records being distinguished for early freeze up. The whole ice out/ ice in thing is very confusing.

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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The Great Outdoors

03/15/2017 07:28AM

quote Pinetree: "were going the other way-making ice. That will change in a few days."

You aren't making ice anymore, just not losing any. With no snow on the lakes, the ice takes a direct shot from the sun (which has a lot of power this time of year) and melts a little everyday-even if the temp stays below 32. The snow is disappearing from the woods in the Ely area, even though we've been below zero during the nights.
There will be an early ice out, unless Mother Nature decides to dump a bunch of snow which can easily this time of year.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Pinetree

03/15/2017 07:30AM

quote WhiteWolf: "Many if not all the lakes listed for "Ice out" and dates listed, are not this morning due to the recent cold spell by definition listed on the site posted above. (-11F in Windom,MN). One would be confused if a canoe trip depended on it. Does anyone know for sure if the early ice outs a week ago or so count ( some apparent records) while they are locked up now? And the opposite--- in the fall do lakes that freeze-- and then re-open count for the early date?? This has happened in recent years (2013) as well as many other years without records being distinguished for early freeze up. The whole ice out/ ice in thing is very confusing.

"

Good question I know they were talking about it on TV the other day.

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Pinetree

03/15/2017 07:41AM

quote The Great Outdoors: "
quote Pinetree: "were going the other way-making ice. That will change in a few days."

You aren't making ice anymore, just not losing any. With no snow on the lakes, the ice takes a direct shot from the sun (which has a lot of power this time of year) and melts a little everyday-even if the temp stays below 32. The snow is disappearing from the woods in the Ely area, even though we've been below zero during the nights.
There will be an early ice out, unless Mother Nature decides to dump a bunch of snow which can easily this time of year."

I agree.
I was surprised we didn't gain any ice depth back under that 13 inches when it got cold again. It is still only March 15th and winter still. But all signs look for a early ice out and the ground is basically brown around here and the air will warm up a little more.
That sun is warm now and it feels good in it being more of a direct angle.

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schweady

03/15/2017 11:54AM

quote WhiteWolf: "Many if not all the lakes listed for "Ice out" and dates listed, are not this morning due to the recent cold spell by definition listed on the site posted above. (-11F in Windom,MN). One would be confused if a canoe trip depended on it. Does anyone know for sure if the early ice outs a week ago or so count ( some apparent records) while they are locked up now? And the opposite--- in the fall do lakes that freeze-- and then re-open count for the early date?? This has happened in recent years (2013) as well as many other years without records being distinguished for early freeze up. The whole ice out/ ice in thing is very confusing.

"

I'm gonna go with "if it doesn't ice over enough the second time to walk out and fish, it's still 'out.'"

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Pinetree

03/17/2017 09:59AM

Meltdown should begin again this week.

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GoSpursGo

03/17/2017 01:56PM

Ive been watching this thread closely!

Please keep the updates coming, you can only tell so much from mnlakecams and rockwoods

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Mocha

03/17/2017 03:16PM

gunflint lake

quite the dreary day over gunflint lake. looks like someone driving on the lake and some sleds parked on the shore.

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HighnDry

03/18/2017 09:05AM

quote Mocha: " gunflint lake

quite the dreary day over gunflint lake. looks like someone driving on the lake and some sleds parked on the shore."

It's a good day to brew up a strong pot of coffee and sit on the porch all bundled up. Wish I was up there at the lodge this weekend!

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

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Pinetree

03/18/2017 09:10AM

My Nephew took some Boy Scouts winter camping up there today.

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riverrunner

03/19/2017 09:43AM

Would like a late April trip this year well have to see

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Pinetree

03/19/2017 01:06PM

I think you will be able to pull it off.
Out fishing on a small lake in Brainerd had just 14 inches at most and melting good today. May be my last time out around home. Big lakes around here have about 20 inches.
Air temp right now is 52 degrees and windy. Maple sap is running real good and sandhill cranes migrating thru.

March 28th 2012 I was canoeing in the BWCA lake trout fishing.

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riverrunner

03/19/2017 03:48PM

We made a early trip that year also hopefully this year to.

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riverrunner

03/21/2017 07:07AM

bump

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nctry

03/21/2017 08:09AM

Seems like a little warmer year for us on the iron range. But it just won't warm like the cities. But I think a mid to late April trip is still very possible. Even our sap is still sputtering. I'm expecting a good weekend though, maybe some rain and wet snow. But forties for highs and 20's for lows. 16 degrees this morning and the idea of single digits tomorrow morning kinda makes you wonder. All in all I'm sure we'll have a slightly early ice out unless wHite wolf throws a wrench in the pot. Haha.

Nctry

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Pinetree

03/21/2017 08:57AM

I hear like 20-24 inches of ice on lakes in the Gunflint area. Usually now close to 30-36 inches.
Brainerd now 12-20 inches.

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BWPaddler

03/22/2017 06:14PM

SW metro lake did freeze over again March 12th (initial melt March 7th) - at least 90% of it did. Temp was zero on the 14th, snow fell on top of the new ice. Then melted at some point while I was out of town.

Insane.

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

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Pinetree

03/24/2017 08:47PM

Some small lakes around Brainerd are like 6 inches of ice left. Larger ones 15 inches plus. I also see ice out by St. Cloud today. It will pick up speed this coming week.

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BlueSkiesWI

03/25/2017 05:30PM

Supposed to be in the 40s during the day all week in Ely, but still getting below freezing at night. Warmer days and ice out is getting close!

Of all the roads you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.

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riverrunner

03/27/2017 07:17AM

Should be getting more reports daily.

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Pinetree

03/27/2017 07:28AM

Along shore we are getting mushy ice now. By next Sunday you are going to see quite a bit of open water at least half the state.

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The Great Outdoors

03/27/2017 05:41PM

If this warm spell keeps up, it's possible to have ice out by mid April, or a bit later, in the Ely area.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Pinetree

03/27/2017 06:16PM

Went around my area close to Mille lacs and most lakes are charcoal black right now. Some small lakes will be ice free by late Wednesday night. Its going to accelerate around here. We will be from 10-14 days ahead of normal for many lakes. It suppose to be in the mid 50's for the next 10 days and low of 30.
Around here it is even getting too warm for maple syrup.
Friend seen 6 loons on open water 5 days ago.

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VoyageurNorth

03/28/2017 02:09AM

On our way home from the Northwest Sportshow in Mpls, we spotted a guy fishing from shore on a fair sized lake, in between Forest Lake & Hinckley! (& not ice fishing)

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inspector13

03/28/2017 06:45AM

Humm. The only body of water between Forest Lake and Hinckley that is visible from the freeway, or even 61, and could be considered a lake would be the Snake River.

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Pinetree

03/28/2017 07:36AM

Two locations-one close to Brainerd and one 50 miles north people had to be rescued from the ice yesterday.

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Pinetree

03/28/2017 12:49PM

62 degrees around Brainerd now. It is hot out. It is shorts wearing weather.

Sawbill annual spring ice check

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Pinetree

03/30/2017 08:03AM

Could be canoeing by Saturday- Sunday in some lakes in the area.

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Pinetree

04/01/2017 06:29PM

Some small lakes open around home and 60 degrees and very very dry. We need rain bad.

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QueticoMike

04/02/2017 07:51AM

About half way up the state.....

I can be followed on Instagram @queticomike

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Pinetree

04/02/2017 08:28AM

Talking 65 degrees by next weekend in Ely. Winters over and within two weeks you should be canoeing in most of the state if not all. The ice is not 3 feet thick like some years.
Ice out is about 2 weeks ahead of normal now.

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canoe212

04/04/2017 01:46PM

bump

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir

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Pinetree

04/04/2017 03:36PM

By Saturday all but a couple lakes around Brainerd will be ice free. I say in two weeks plus you could go up to the BWCA canoeing-at least the west side. MAYBE?
TGO what to you think?

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Pinetree

04/04/2017 03:44PM

still 24 inches

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Banksiana

04/04/2017 08:47PM

Heard my first grouse drumming three nights ago. Managed to ski Burntside this morning and paddle Little Indian Sioux (south) in the evening.

Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.

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Pinetree

04/04/2017 08:54PM

quote Banksiana: "Heard my first grouse drumming three nights ago. Managed to ski Burntside this morning and paddle Little Indian Sioux (south) in the evening. "

Spring skiing in a t shirt or light jacket is my favorite.

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Mocha

04/04/2017 09:04PM

quote Banksiana: "Heard my first grouse drumming three nights ago. Managed to ski Burntside this morning and paddle Little Indian Sioux (south) in the evening. "

that is a beautiful photo!

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StreetDreams56

04/05/2017 06:48AM

quote Banksiana: "Heard my first grouse drumming three nights ago. Managed to ski Burntside this morning and paddle Little Indian Sioux (south) in the evening. "

Thanks for sharing. I've been nervous about my 4/20 launch up LIS north to LLC, but that picture definitely seals the deal!

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QueticoMike

04/05/2017 07:56AM

Getting closer :)

I can be followed on Instagram @queticomike

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Pinetree

04/05/2017 08:01AM

TGO how is Burntside looking?

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Pinetree

04/05/2017 08:03AM

Remember one year ice went out in April and we did a early trip out of Moose. Well that morning going in Moose froze with a skim of thin ice in parts of Moose and Found lake and for a hour or so we were like a ice breaker ship with the ice cracking.
That trip while going out I remember seeing a fellow BWCA.com sticker on a solo canoe coming back from a trip.
Different times we left Moose lake and have portaged into other lakes finding they were still frozen in and ha to back track.

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Banksiana

04/05/2017 08:17AM

quote Pinetree: "

Spring skiing in a t shirt or light jacket is my favorite."

Skate skiing on Burntside has been very good. Fast and relatively smooth- though necessary to get out before the frozen slush begins to get soft and you sink in.
Burntside is still pretty solid- slush ice has not been stripped off by the sun yet.

Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.

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Pinetree

04/05/2017 08:29AM

quote Banksiana: "
quote Pinetree: "

Spring skiing in a t shirt or light jacket is my favorite."

Skate skiing on Burntside has been very good. Fast and relatively smooth- though necessary to get out before the frozen slush begins to get soft and you sink in.
Burntside is still pretty solid- slush ice has not been stripped off by the sun yet."

I was thinking the other day,it is sad when I put one toy away(my skiis) for another season,but happy now I will put by boat sticker license renewal on my canoe and break out another toy. I did ski about 5 days a week when I could,but we haven't had snow for a month now down by Mille lacs.
Like they say we may get older but we still have our toys. It will be a sad day when i can't play with my toys

One year end of March we went in and there was like 18 inches of snow on the ice,it got super warm like almost 80 degrees and windy and we skiied out across the lakes in water in spots almost 6 inches deep with little whitecaps on top of the ice. Also seagull birds returned with the south wind. Days of very fond memories.

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The Great Outdoors

04/05/2017 11:30AM

Burntside Lake has very different ice conditions than normal. The top "slush" is actually the ice melting, and what used to be clear ice is full of bubbles which will hold heat, and disappear quickly.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Pinetree

04/05/2017 12:51PM

quote The Great Outdoors: "Burntside Lake has very different ice conditions than normal. The top "slush" is actually the ice melting, and what used to be clear ice is full of bubbles which will hold heat, and disappear quickly."

Thanks.
I also believe once it reaches a dark stage the water actually warms up under the ice when the sun rays go into that water. So it melts in many directions and like you said TGO it will melt in the ice in the air bubbles etc. It can go fast than.

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egknuti

04/05/2017 04:32PM

quote Banksiana: "Heard my first grouse drumming three nights ago. Managed to ski Burntside this morning and paddle Little Indian Sioux (south) in the evening. "

Heading there tomorrow. Is heading north possible?

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Pinetree

04/05/2017 04:55PM

Moose lake

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Banksiana

04/05/2017 07:52PM

quote egknuti:
Heading there tomorrow. Is heading north possible? "

I assume that paddling north is good as well. I went south because I was there late in the day and I didn't want to portage over snow in the dark on my return.

Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.

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ducks

04/05/2017 07:54PM

quote egknuti: "
quote Banksiana: "Heard my first grouse drumming three nights ago. Managed to ski Burntside this morning and paddle Little Indian Sioux (south) in the evening. "

Heading there tomorrow. Is heading north possible? "

you lucky son of a gun :) both of you:) Awesome photo Banksiana... please share at least one tomorrow egknuti.

Ride EZ

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egknuti

04/05/2017 08:07PM

quote ducks: "
quote egknuti: "
quote Banksiana: "Heard my first grouse drumming three nights ago. Managed to ski Burntside this morning and paddle Little Indian Sioux (south) in the evening. "

Heading there tomorrow. Is heading north possible? "

you lucky son of a gun :) both of you:) Awesome photo Banksiana... please share at least one tomorrow egknuti."

I assume the road into the north is snow covered. Last year I portaged along the river to access the north entry. Looks like I'll have to wait until Friday. Will post pictures.

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riverrunner

04/07/2017 05:28AM

Moving north faster lately

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Pinetree

04/07/2017 07:20AM

It really went yesterday.

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BlueSkiesWI

04/07/2017 08:57AM

Up past Bemidji! Looking like I'll have some open water to paddle on May 17 when I go in

Of all the roads you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.

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Pinetree

04/07/2017 10:56AM

Leass than 21 inches on Sawbill lake and most in Brainerd ice free.

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The Great Outdoors

04/07/2017 11:23AM

I talked to a fellow that was fishing Gabbro last Sunday.
The lake still had over a foot of ice on it, but water was pouring in from the sides of the hole he was drilling, meaning the ice is porous and will go quickly as long as it stays half way warm.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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hooky

04/07/2017 12:38PM

quote Pinetree: "Leass than 21 inches on Sawbill lake and most in Brainerd ice free."

They said 17" yesterday on their blog.

“It is clearly absurd to limit the term 'education' to a person's formal schooling.” - Murray Rothbard

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Pinetree

04/07/2017 01:45PM

quote The Great Outdoors: "I talked to a fellow that was fishing Gabbro last Sunday.
The lake still had over a foot of ice on it, but water was pouring in from the sides of the hole he was drilling, meaning the ice is porous and will go quickly as long as it stays half way warm."

Talking mid 60's tomorrow up your way.

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egknuti

04/07/2017 05:17PM

open water up to Lower Pauness. North 3/4 of Upper was still frozen

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BearBurrito

04/07/2017 07:06PM

Awesome pictures.

One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning

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Banksiana

04/07/2017 07:25PM

Nice icy takeout.

Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.

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Pinetree

04/07/2017 08:54PM

quote egknuti: " open water up to Lower Pauness. North 3/4 of Upper was still frozen"

Fun time. Quite,no bugs and beautiful scenery.

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Pinetree

04/07/2017 08:56PM

quote Banksiana: "Nice icy takeout. "

That is where I have had problems,if you try and run the bow onto the ice it makes the area of the canoe in the waters small and tipsy with just the stern in the water. I have almost tipped over than. Almost thank goodness,that water is very very cold now.

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egknuti

04/08/2017 06:35AM

quote Pinetree: "
quote Banksiana: "Nice icy takeout. "

That is where I have had problems,if you try and run the bow onto the ice it makes the area of the canoe in the waters small and tipsy with just the stern in the water. I have almost tipped over than. Almost thank goodness,that water is very very cold now."

That patch of ice was still quite thick except for the edge, which I just chipped away. I just sidled up and stepped out.

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ducks

04/08/2017 07:42AM

Great photos egknuti. Thanks for sharing!

Ride EZ

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Banksiana

04/08/2017 09:55AM

My guess is that Shagawa and similar lakes will be open by Monday. Tremendous change in the ice yesterday. Today warmth and wind will work magic. Lakes open to Virginia on 53.

Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s going to die.

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QueticoMike

04/08/2017 12:29PM

I just hope weather remains constant and keeps warming and Mother Nature doesn't have another big cold snap in her.

I can be followed on Instagram @queticomike

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VoyageurNorth

04/08/2017 03:54PM

Just came back from a short paddle from Blueberry Creek to Bear Island River, all open. Blueberry Lake is going to be open anytime soon as is One Pine.

Wind at our back & was the shortest time ever paddled that stretch.

Then drove over to the Little Gabbro #33 portage and walked that. Snow on a few parts of the portage but not bad. Water is open at Gabbro and facing left & right the water is open too.

There was a little bit of very black, very thin looking ice out at Little Gabbro but with the temps and wind, it should be out by tomorrow.

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Pinetree

04/08/2017 04:17PM

quote VoyageurNorth: "Just came back from a short paddle from Blueberry Creek to Bear Island River, all open. Blueberry Lake is going to be open anytime soon as is One Pine.

Wind at our back & was the shortest time ever paddled that stretch.

Then drove over to the Little Gabbro #33 portage and walked that. Snow on a few parts of the portage but not bad. Water is open at Gabbro and facing left & right the water is open too.

There was a little bit of very black, very thin looking ice out at Little Gabbro but with the temps and wind, it should be out by tomorrow."

Its a fun time of year,the air is fresh and it seems like a relaxing time of year. Nobody in a hurry. Nice and quite and peaceful also.

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VoyageurNorth

04/08/2017 05:36PM

Looking out at Gabbro Lake today (4-8-17).

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egknuti

04/08/2017 06:25PM

Lower Pauness. Tried to get to Devil's Cascade but ice still on the northern half. Walked the Shell Lake portage saw moose and wolf tracks.

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schweady

04/08/2017 06:26PM

quote VoyageurNorth: "

Looking out at Gabbro Lake today (4-8-17). "

Was this pic taken just out from the end of the #33 portage, looking at Little Gabbro? or did you paddle into Gabbro, too, and take this?

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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VoyageurNorth

04/08/2017 06:30PM

We just walked the portage from the Gabbro parking lot to the lake. Where we paddled was on the Blueberry Creek/River to the Bear Island River near our house.

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schweady

04/08/2017 09:48PM

Yeah, thanks, I just saw the full set of images from the day in your FB post. Reason I brought it up: pretty interesting to compare the high water level in your pic to what we sometimes see in August.

This was in 2011, an unusually dry year:

Great to see John portaging!

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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VoyageurNorth

04/08/2017 10:09PM

Wow, that sure was a lot of difference! Took me a couple times of going from one picture to the other to see where the same points of reference were!

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lundojam

04/09/2017 07:10AM

MacFarland (east side up the Arrowhead trail) was locked in tight yesterday. The ice was right up to shore and white. Didn't drill any holes but it looked like it had a ways to go for sure.

"Life is not a beauty contest. It is a fishing contest." --me

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riverrunner

04/11/2017 08:48AM

Bump

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Pinetree

04/11/2017 09:06AM

Mille lac lake was clear of ice yesterday. The line is moving north. I still believe some Ely lakes will be ice free by Monday.

Upper Red lake had 40% ice cover yesterday.

I observed like 600 trumpeter swans yesterday north of Aitkin. I never knew there was so many.

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VaderStrom

04/11/2017 09:08AM

This is always my favorite thread every year!!! I can't wait to put on the waders and start out in a few weeks!!!

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." – Bilbo Baggins

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Pinetree

04/11/2017 09:09AM

lot of soft water here

Birch lake

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housty9

04/13/2017 05:07AM

How is the Ram lake and Brower trout lake area doing, thinking of moving my trip a week earlier.

Out of control, extreme team.

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Pinetree

04/13/2017 03:31PM

moose looking very thin

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HighnDry

04/13/2017 04:22PM

Wow. Looks like it's ready to go!

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

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The Great Outdoors

04/13/2017 05:16PM

If we had any wind most of these lakes would be ice free. But warm weather and wind tomorrow, so they'll be open by the weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Grandma L

04/14/2017 08:59AM

Fall Lake is reported as being OPEN, yesterday!

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Jaywalker

04/14/2017 09:59AM

I'm seeing lots and lots of soft water on the Ely webcams. It's looking like I will be able to get out there in about a week!

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hooky

04/14/2017 11:15AM

On their facebook page on 4/12, Sawbill Outfitters said "There are 8 inches of solid clear ice and 6 inches of spongy ice above it. The area of open water around the Sawbill Creek outlet is growing everyday. "

6 days before they reported 8" of hard packed slush over 13" of clear ice.

“It is clearly absurd to limit the term 'education' to a person's formal schooling.” - Murray Rothbard

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Pinetree

04/14/2017 12:07PM

quote Pinetree: " moose looking very thin "

With 61 degrees in Ely as of 1 o'clock I think Moose lake ice will be gone today.

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walleye_hunter

04/14/2017 12:32PM

Gunflint has a little ways to go. I just took this picture. It's breaking away from shore now but there is still quit a bit of ice.

"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard." Standing Bear

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Pinetree

04/14/2017 02:54PM

Moose looks ice free.

Early

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walleye_hunter

04/15/2017 08:05AM

quote walleye_hunter: "Gunflint has a little ways to go. I just took this picture. It's breaking away from shore now but there is still quit a bit of ice. "

Gunflint opened up quit a bit last night. Lots of open water out there now :)

"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard." Standing Bear

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Mocha

04/15/2017 09:10AM

gunflint lake LIVE web cam

cool! be sure to look at it full screen. must be some wind from the west this morning.

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Pinetree

04/15/2017 09:55AM

TGO how is Burntside?

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walleye_hunter

04/18/2017 03:08PM

I drove around today and there's still a good amount of ice on some Gunflint Trail lakes.

"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard." Standing Bear

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canoe212

04/20/2017 08:35AM

bump

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir

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Pinetree

04/20/2017 08:59AM

Looks by the weekend even the Gunflint will be getting mostly ice free?
Gunflint

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Pinetree

04/20/2017 01:13PM

map

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HighnDry

04/20/2017 01:20PM

Marching forever northward.

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

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Pinetree

04/23/2017 08:49PM

and than only a few remain

Wonder how Gunflint and Clearwater are doing?

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jhb8426

04/23/2017 11:20PM

Trip to the north shore last week. Coming back on Thursday, saw a BG Bell Northstar or Northwind on the expressway between Two Harbors and Duluth. Anybody from here?

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