Any thoughts on what lakes might have earliest ice off the lake?

I have about an eight foot edge of open water on the lake where my cabin sits, an hour north of Grand Rapids, MN.

Grandma L: "I have about an eight foot edge of open water on the lake where my cabin sits, an hour north of Grand Rapids, MN. "

That surprises me. Is it by flowing water? Still a lot of ice in Brainerd.

Right now, I would say ice out will be maybe 1-2 days early. There is around ten less inches of ice across most of the state this year. We will see.

MN Ice Out Dates

Snowbank Lake in the BWCA still had 23” of ice as of this past weekend, so I’m guessing that lake will be close to normal ice out dates from previous years. However, lakes that are stream fed are probably going to be early as there is lots of moving water open up north in the arrowhead. The Twin Cities area is most definitely going to have tons of lakes open within a few weeks. The lake by my house in the north metro may be open by the end of this week. It is fed by a large creek though, so that is helping move things along.

Tony

When does the Kawishiwi River usually open up?

Grandma L: "I have about an eight foot edge of open water on the lake where my cabin sits, an hour north of Grand Rapids, MN. "

Wow, I was walking Kira on the lake here Sunday, something that will change fast as it’s warming and rain tonight. Keep that sap a flowing!

I am saying normal ice out dates

Was ice fishing yesterday around home and we have 22 inches plus. I have noticed tho now when cutting the hole the ice is softer all the way down. Meaning water is starting to seep down and the ice itself is probably close to 32 degrees. It just is not as solid. Get a warm wind temps in the 50's you will see 2 inches a day of ice melting. Were also 10 inches less of ice starting out compared to last year. Early ice out it will be.
Also the ten day forecast is for temps to be about 6-10 degrees above normal. I think spring is going to speed up. Only roadblock would be a spring snowstorm.

Also geese,swans and sandhill cranes showing up more everyday.

I saw two swans, several geese, cardinals and multiple bald eagles in Ely last weekend. Thought it was a little early for most of those birds to be that far north.

GopherAdventure: "I saw two swans, several geese, cardinals and multiple bald eagles in Ely last weekend. Thought it was a little early for most of those birds to be that far north. "

Often you get the first warm winds from the south they start showing up.
Eagles are already nesting and in recent years in Brainerd we now have a few cardinals hang around all year.

I was in the BWCA off the Ginflint about two weeks ago for a week. All the ice I drilled was maybe 20-24 inches, but it was all crusty chunky stuff especially the top 6-8 inches. Seemed like little to no clean clear ice. Not sure if that will speed or slow the melt, but I’m less worried about being able to paddle fishing opener.

Mille lacs area ice conditions changing fast on the small lakes. Getting close to the end of ice fishing around here. Looks like a early ice out this year. Only 16-17 inches of clear ice now and ice is not your real hard ice.

I would guess ice out will be about 7 days early. There is rain in the forecast and that will speed things up.

Depends on where you're asking about, of course...around the MSP area 7-10 days early seems inevitable. Sounds like the BWCA may also go early.

Strong winds whipping across Lake Mille Lacs have pushed mountains of ice into residential backyards along the southeastern shore.

Ice Tsunami hits house on Mille Lacs Lake, Isle, MN - 4/20/2020 VIDEO

Ice is mostly out on my 40 acre lake in Detroit Lakes, Mn today.

LindenTree: "Ice is mostly out on my 40 acre lake in Detroit Lakes, Mn today."

Most all the lakes are out in Brainerd, except for a couple of the larger ones.

This is from the Rockwood website on the Gunflint Trail

As of April 21, 2020 the ice thickness on Poplar Lake is 24-3/4?. Predicted ice out is the second week of May.

Grand Marais temperature at 9:59 PM is 29? (f).

Average daily highs is the mid 40s, overnights in the low 20s (f)

ducks: "This is from the Rockwood website on the Gunflint Trail


As of April 21, 2020 the ice thickness on Poplar Lake is 24-3/4?. Predicted ice out is the second week of May.


Grand Marais temperature at 9:59 PM is 29? (f).


Average daily highs is the mid 40s, overnights in the low 20s (f)"

Yes it is still winter in the Arrowhead. Picture is inland from Grand Portage last weekend.

Embarrass Lake near Biwabik is almost out.

Lakes south of Virginia are open. Open water on the edges making it difficult to access Ely lakes for skiing.

Lakes in the Brainerd area are glass calm today. Awesome paddle day-wish I would of got out.

I just drove hwy 1 and it appears the Kawishiwi River is open. My lake near Isabella is still 99% ice from what I can see.

Big change from yesterday to today on seagulls webcam. Gunflint also has open water around the edge in front of lodge.

Fenske opened enough yesterday for the loons to take up residence. Listened to them calling back and forth between Fenske and Everett last night.

Took a look at Lake one yesterday and it’s probably going to be ice free by the weekend. A couple other lakes along the Fernberg road are very close. I was able to paddle half of the lake I’m on over the last few days. The loons, swans and otters are enjoying the open water.

Tony

Here's what Round looks like as of yesterday, and also what it looked like 1 year ago.

Round Lake -- 2019 to 2020

Hard to say what's going to happen, but it's going to go fast with this warm weather. I'd say sometime between May 4th and May 9th.

Andy

Significant changes on today's satellite image for the state. LOTW partly open in the NE, Leech lake is open...but the arrowhead is behind those, perhaps because of more snow cover.

And I was very wrong about how long the ice was going to stick around....

The ice is breaking up on Round and Seagull

Andy

Awesome to see that open water on round, seagull and gunflint.

So, are all the lakes open now?

A1t2o: "So, are all the lakes open now?"

Today's satellite photo is too cloudy to tell.

Yesterday's looked like most everything west of Brule was ice-free, but Brule and most of the east end was still iced.

Not Modis- but shows Greenwood and Brule along with others still have ice.
Wed 5/6 AM visual satellite loop

also here - True Color loop