Are the lakes open? I am assuming that the large lakes are free of ice but smaller ones are not. Nice warm-up this week so I am angling to take a last-chance trip (w/GPS).

A few words - it depends on where you go. You're pushing your luck each hour in this season. As a weather pro, I suggest that you don't push your luck past next weekend (major shift in the pattern after a rather warm week). SMALLER lakes are frozen now, but may open up for a time this week. Good Luck!!

Many thanks for the words of wisdom. After a sleepless night of "is it worth the risk" and a few concerning looks from my better half, I have decided not to go. Instead, I will just go paddling and biking in the Twin Cities during the nice weather this week. Time to start planning for a Spring trip!

Think you made the right choice. Just came off the Sioux Hustler trail and it was mixed frozen / open water. Smaller lakes were solid (tossed a large rock to test thickness and barely made a dent in the ice) and larger lakes were wide open.
Would have been a dicey time to push your luck. Glad we also chose to go on foot instead of paddle.

Thanks all! It was hard not to go especially when it would have been the perfect way to celebrate my first week of retirement! However, I should have plenty of opportunities to make up for not going next year and beyond. Am looking forward to a winter full of planning several BWCA trips. Happy Trails! :)

I usually check the Ely Webcam for up tot date pics of the ice/no ice. Ely webcams

Happy retirement. I am on my second year of it.

Thank you! I wasn't aware of the webcams. The sulfide ore one is really impactful! Part of my retirement plan includes getting involved in advocating for the permanent protection of the BWCA.

Thanks...wish I had started retirement a little earlier! :)