Getting worried! Have a trip May 16-19 entry 16.

Does the snow pack keep the ice thinner? Looks like May 22nd is the lastest on Burnstside, anyone have an idea on when the smaller lakes typically go out compared to Burnstside?

At this point there’s really nothing to worry about. Temps will be in the 30s this week that will help melt the snow. If there’s significant ice and or snow at the end of April, then I might start to worry.

It's a rare year when the ice lasts past the first week of May. Late ice outs are more dependent on the weather in March and April than the winter leading up to it.

I agree with the other posts, way too early to worry. Last year people were in a panic and it got really warm, really fast and ice was out a week before opener. That’s still late compared to the norm, but the days are only getting longer and the sun is only getting stronger so I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about. Plus, EP 16 is all along a river system which is usually where ice goes out first. Continue to plan and be ready because I’d be shocked (and disappointed) if there’s ice then.

Tony

Thanks guys, good news from my afternoon research...more snow cover typically means thinner ice. So let's hope for a typical April!

olsonm37: "Thanks guys, good news from my afternoon research...more snow cover typically means thinner ice. So let's hope for a typical April!"

Yes which is true,other side of coin-more snow cover statewide means slower warmup.
I do hear tho like ice is 8-12 inches thinner than normal for now.

We went in last year on May 17. Same concerns but the April snowstorms really delayed things in 2018. Turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. We are still 9 1/2 weeks away I would be shocked if #16 is still iced in by then. Where are you heading from the entry point?

anthonyp007: "I agree with the other posts, way too early to worry. Last year people were in a panic and it got really warm, really fast and ice was out a week before opener. That’s still late compared to the norm, but the days are only getting longer and the sun is only getting stronger so I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about. Plus, EP 16 is all along a river system which is usually where ice goes out first. Continue to plan and be ready because I’d be shocked (and disappointed) if there’s ice then.


Tony"

What? Didn't Moose ice out on like May 7th last year?

Yup. Sawbill also iced out on May 7th. I remember reading about canceled trips last year. Hopefully we don't have a repeat of that. These are bigger lakes than, say, Nina Moose, but still.

DRB: "We went in last year on May 17. Same concerns but the April snowstorms really delayed things in 2018. Turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. We are still 9 1/2 weeks away I would be shocked if #16 is still iced in by then. Where are you heading from the entry point? "

Have 2 first timers in our group of 4, base camping out of Agnes, spend a day on Oyster looking for Lakers and then heading to either Stuart or up to LLC.

Short trip, mostly fishing

I canceled my May 10 trip last year because I thought ice wouldn't be off. It was, But I scrduled surgery for same day and didn't have a spring trip. Not falling for that this year.

No worries. Last year we hiked across Duncan to the stairway portage--across the ice--on April 28. It was open a few days later. It feels this way every year to me. "It's never gonna thaw!"

Here you go - check the dates.
Minnesota Ice Out Dates