Was wondering if anyone could fill me in on ice conditions in the ely area... specifically Snowbank and then Burntside. I heard there's a lot of slush up that way. Are the lakes ok to travel on? Any roads plowed on them or not a chance for vehicles at this time... only travel by foot/snowmobile?

Thanks,
DJ

Tuscarora Lodge posted an update on ice conditions over on the Gunflint today. I’d guess Ely side is similar. Tuscarora Ice Update

Find "Steve Foss Guide Service" on Facebook. He posted this today:

1-13-2020 BURNTSIDE LAKE ICE/SNOW REPORT, ELY, MN

Short version is I found 11-15” of hard ice in the several spots I checked, with no slush and 0-3” of hard packed snow. There is some double and some thinner ice in sheltered areas with more snow cover.

The bad slush over so much of Minnesota is blessedly not a problem, because Burntside, a very deep lake, freezes last, and so the early snow dumps that can plague other lakes aren’t an issue.

The snowmobile trail across the lake is staked. Sled and ATV travel are easy.

Truck travel is definitely NOT recommended, since ice thickness is borderline, and it varies unpredictably.

The lower lot at Van Vac landing is not plowed yet. That’s no great loss. It’s too early for trucks, and ATVs and snowmobiles will have no trouble getting to the lower lot and onto the lake because snowmobiles have already packed it.

This will be my last report this week. A bit of snow here and there is predicted yet, but not much.

Have fun and be safe starting Saturday, everyone. Here’s wishing everyone a great lake trout season pursuing the best species out there!

Thanks for the info and update on burntside... I'm thinking snowbank would be similar minus the snowmobile trails across the lake. If anyone hears anything about snowbank lake could you please post on here? Thanks!