Just received this from Quetico Backcountry Operations so passing it on FYI

Hello,
You are likely wondering much like ourselves when we can be on the water and also be able to update guests on lake/ice conditions.
There is still plenty of ice on the lakes as many of you are likely aware.
We analysed sat imagery and compared conditions to previous years and we think that ice out is going to be really close to opening weekend. 3 scenarios could play out:

1) Everything goes fine and we get the park open like normal
2) There is still ice cover on May 18th and no one can enter the backcountry
3) The lakes are open by the 18th but the ranger stations are still closed and are a week behind because it takes 4 days (given perfect weather) to get them all open.

Self-serve options for the backcountry will be available if by chance we can’t open our stations. Reservation holders will be given the chance to re-book. As of now we are unsure if we won’t be open but are trying to keep guests aware and updated.

Updates will be posted to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/QueticoPP/

Tracking ice conditions can also be found on - https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/ ( it is best to click on yesterday’s date)

Hope it all goes well for you
cs
Chris Stromberg | A/Backcountry Operations Specialist
Atikokan, Ontario, P0T-1C0
Cell: 807-598-1074 W: OntarioParks.com

Thank you! I talked to Canoe Canada today and they think by the 15th, but obviously it will be close!

Lake Vermilion near Tower has water open ten feet from shore in some spots. If it stays warm may not take long.

Is this unusually late for ice-out up there? A week, two weeks late?

Not to be selfish, but I had to move my late June trip back a week due to peer pressure, and would be happy thinking that "early-ish" conditions will prevail :)

Chris from the Quetico park is one great person and keeps you up to date.

Due to cold weather conditions, it is likely the Entry Stations may delay their opening by 1 week this spring. It is anticipated that the Entry Stations may not be staffed until May 25th. Self-service is still available.

This late iceout is scaring me. I hope it opens up by the 18th.

TheTugistheDrug: "This late iceout is scaring me. I hope it opens up by the 18th."

You will be fine. It is going fast.

I'm going in the 18th as well (SB)... It is like 90° today... Well, that is south Florida... I'm trying to send some of the warm air up there, but not ALL of it.

Quetico Lake looked thawed based on yesterday's satellite image. Kind of hard to pick individual lakes out unless you now the GSP coordinates though. All the lakes around there looked black and the iced over ones were easy to see as the white of the ice contrasts the surrounding landscape. Headed into that lake on May 18th.

79 degrees F. in Ely at 5 PM today. Also Moose lake is getting lot of water.

If you have problems it is going to be Canadian Agnes-which one time we went in early and got to Agnes and it was still completely froze. Also Bailey bay sometimes hangs in there.

Also if it stays hot like it is and dry you may have campfire ban soon. They are talking rain Tuesday and Wednesday so that would help.

Heading in Monday, just not sure where yet.

Received this yesterday from Trevor Gibb, QPP Super.

Most of the large lakes on the north end of the park still have some ice as of today but it is quite close to going away. Nym Lake, Pickerel Lake, and Beaverhouse lake all have some ice right now. It will be hit or miss on the 14th on whether you will run into ice. I would try to access at Nym Lake to Batchewaung lake. If when you park at Nym Lake the water is liquid and not solid, batchewaung will probably be OK too. You can see Nym Lake easily form the landing so you will have an idea of what is possible right away. If Nym isn’t thawed, Pickerel, Beaverhouse, Quetico and the other big lakes on the north end will probably still have ice as well. There is a self serve registration kiosk you can use at the nym lake access.

You will be cutting it very close on the 14th, but if the ice does cooperate, the weather looks beautiful for the week. Just be mindful of wind direction if there is still ice floating around, it can box you in and trap you. Also, remember to wear your PFD’s. The water temps at this time of year are unforgiving

It is looking like my 18th put-in for Stanton Bay is going to be ok. Getting excited!

According to the satellite images the last few days, all the Q lakes are 100% open. There is a little ice on Lake of the woods.

That said. it was 27' yesterday morning and 29' this morning in Duluth :(