Morning all,
Been up in June and August. This year the only time that I could get the cats herded was Mid May. EP25 Moose Lake up into Knife. Base camping and fishing, side day trips.
Expect the water to still be cold but wasn't sure what to expect with the weather.
Researched for historical averages which look like we could still have some 30/40s for lows and 60/70s for high.
Curious what you have experienced.
tia

What dates? I’ll see you there. Plan for weather between 40-70s

Some years the ice may not have all melted from the lakes by mid May. This year may be different as it has been the warmest winter I have seen in my 69 years of living in northern Minnesota. Today Nodak Lodge on Winnibigosh posted on Facebook that they were now allowing 3/4 ton pickup out on the lake but no wheelhoused with only 13-16 inches of ice. Many years that would have happened in mid December and by now there would be 28-36 inches of ice. There is still lots of time before mid May but I wouldn't expect it to get cold enough for a long enough period to make lots more ice.

Ice on lakes in mid-May happens but it is fairly rare. Generally lakes around Ely shed ice by the beginning of May. Weather during the middle of May can be all over the map from snow to heat.

I've been going at this time of year the past few years, and it varies wildly. Sometimes I'm in a t-shirt and shorts, and sometimes a down coat watching snow flakes. Be ready for anything...except swimming.

We always go some time between fishing opener and Memorial Day, We've had snow, cold rain, wind, blue skies, 95 and humid with terrible thunderstorms and everything in between. It really varies so much from year to year, although most of the time the nights are cool and the days are 60-70s. It's really a great time to go you just have to be prepared for any weather.

We usually put it in mid-May. That said, we've experienced snow (Lake One EP), sideways rain (Lizz Lake EP), record heat (<90 degrees, Bower Trout EP), bright non-stop sun and puffy clouds (several times), and epic rainfall (Bower Trout EP.) Like TaylorRN and BigCurrent suggested, I would expect the weather to be between 30 and 80, and rainy or sunny or snowy or not.

But seriously, mid-May trips require you to follow the weather forecast up until the day you put in. You can generally get a pretty good idea of what to expect weather-wise by tracking the National Weather Service forecasts...you'll be able to see what the weather trends will be (hot or cold, rainy, etc.). Then you can pack accordingly.

Of course layering is still your best bet. What I pack in May can handle temps down to about 35. Layers on layers works wonders.

Mike

Yep....you might have 65 and sunny on Friday and snow on Sunday

The one thing to think about is sleeping. Those rocks retain a lot of cold that permeates up through your sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Extra layers under your bag will help. We use our seats to put under our sleeping pads.

The weather can change up there so fast that I usually have a second bag with extra clothes in it. I decide on what to take the night before we put in. Nothing sucks worse than a bad nights sleep because your cold and not having the proper clothes to warm up.

bombinbrian: "The one thing to think about is sleeping. Those rocks retain a lot of cold that permeates up through your sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Extra layers under your bag will help. We use our seats to put under our sleeping pads.


The weather can change up there so fast that I usually have a second bag with extra clothes in it. I decide on what to take the night before we put in. Nothing sucks worse than a bad nights sleep because your cold and not having the proper clothes to warm up. "

This is a big one. Last year I had a trip planned for the weekend after opener, which was changed due to the shutdown, and my plan for the cold was to have an extra foam sleeping pad to place under my exped pad and a polyester layer around my sleeping bag. An extra thermarest pad would do the trick too.

You'd have to have a big seat pad to cover then length of your torso.

Bring your snuggies and sunscreen and consider a reflective for under your mat or pad.