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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Listening Point - General Discussion That time of year - MN DNR lake ice out map |
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03/14/2021 06:43PM
Went out deer watching tonight on the gravel and checked the local lake, its about 4 miles long and mostly cattails on the north and south end. Water was open in the middle but shores still holding onto thin ice here in Southern MN.
03/14/2021 08:15PM
The ice went out yesterday on the neighborhood pond. The geese are jockeying for nesting position. Sandhill cranes were making quite a racket today in the backyard :)
"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after"
~ Henry David Thoreau
03/15/2021 02:24PM
Speckled: "Latest Ice out - Gunflint Lake June 3rd, 1936.
"
Yep-
Justine Kerfoot by record walked across Gunflint Lake on June 1st,1936. This was after the coldest FEB in history (( pretty close this FEB) --- followed by the warmest July in history. Take a hint anyone?? Climate changes big when then Oceans' temp play into your hands. 1936 was a classic as was 1950/ 1955 /1962 and 1996 amongst others. I would love to have known the surface water temps of say Basswood / SAG in July of 1936. 106F in Duluth. 105 in Fort Frances in mid July max temps- but this after 7-10 days of temps 95F or above. 1936 is the climate change junkies best year ever for the Upper Midwest.
Not saying we will meet or even come close to those ice out dates-- but if I had to bet- I bet on very warm to even hot summer- especially areas South and West of the BWCAW. Any moisture you can grab- grab now.
The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.
03/15/2021 05:42PM
WhiteWolf: "Speckled: "Latest Ice out - Gunflint Lake June 3rd, 1936.
"
Yep-
Justine Kerfoot by record walked across Gunflint Lake on June 1st,1936. This was after the coldest FEB in history (( pretty close this FEB) --- followed by the warmest July in history. Take a hint anyone?? Climate changes big when then Oceans' temp play into your hands. 1936 was a classic as was 1950/ 1955 /1962 and 1996 amongst others. I would love to have known the surface water temps of say Basswood / SAG in July of 1936. 106F in Duluth. 105 in Fort Frances in mid July max temps- but this after 7-10 days of temps 95F or above. 1936 is the climate change junkies best year ever for the Upper Midwest.
Not saying we will meet or even come close to those ice out dates-- but if I had to bet- I bet on very warm to even hot summer- especially areas South and West of the BWCAW. Any moisture you can grab- grab now. "
Fascinating, WW. Thanks for sharing this.
03/22/2021 07:51PM
The ice on Prior Lake has pulled back quite a bit and is getting pretty dark. An inch of rain and wind tomorrow could take it out. It should certainly be gone by this weekend with upper 50s and sun in the forecast for later this week.
The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
03/25/2021 01:13PM
Is this the year for a March paddle on Cedar/Isles/Bde Maka Ska??
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." – Bilbo Baggins
03/31/2021 10:29PM
I finally checked off my 10th month of Minnesota paddling. Now I just need to figure out a way to get on the water in January and February. It was nice and warm until my hands got wet pulling my boat out. I was the only one out there other than the pleasant company of a few mallards, 2 couples of wood ducks, a crane and the first loon I've seen this year. The 1 1/2 hr paddle around Cedar and Isles was beautiful!
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." – Bilbo Baggins
04/02/2021 12:10PM
Yous guys all know about these daily high-res satellite images of the area, right? You can follow the progress of the ice-out pretty easily.
NOAA Coast Watch Great Lakes Modis Satellite Imagery
Here's a shot from yesterday, April 1st 2021:
I fish for ice-out lakers and specks in Ontario - Algonquin Park or some other super-secret place - so I'm looking at the synoptic view. But I've found these images incredibly handy for trip planning.
The best spring lake trout [and brook trout] fishing begins 7-10 days after ice-out, and lasts two to three weeks. If you're there right after ice-out, it's kind of pointless as the fish remain deep. But in prime time, they have to be the easiest fish to catch that swim. Everything works - spoons and body baits flat-lined a long ways out in every colour you can try.
Fish the structure - if you can't see it, then it's too deep.
Cheers, eh?
Pete
NOAA Coast Watch Great Lakes Modis Satellite Imagery
Here's a shot from yesterday, April 1st 2021:
I fish for ice-out lakers and specks in Ontario - Algonquin Park or some other super-secret place - so I'm looking at the synoptic view. But I've found these images incredibly handy for trip planning.
The best spring lake trout [and brook trout] fishing begins 7-10 days after ice-out, and lasts two to three weeks. If you're there right after ice-out, it's kind of pointless as the fish remain deep. But in prime time, they have to be the easiest fish to catch that swim. Everything works - spoons and body baits flat-lined a long ways out in every colour you can try.
Fish the structure - if you can't see it, then it's too deep.
Cheers, eh?
Pete
There is NO definite article before "Quetico"! Sheesh.
04/02/2021 12:35PM
I’ve went out here three days ago... about a month early. Then two nights of 13 degrees it froze up again and stayed socked in yesterday. But the wind is helping open things up again. Three weeks early anyways... Grand Rapids area...
Nctry
04/02/2021 12:45PM
passthepitonspete: "Yous guys all know about these daily high-res satellite images of the area, right? You can follow the progress of the ice-out pretty easily.
NOAA Coast Watch Great Lakes Modis Satellite Imagery
Here's a shot from yesterday, April 1st 2021:
I fish for ice-out lakers and specks in Ontario - Algonquin Park or some other super-secret place - so I'm looking at the synoptic view. But I've found these images incredibly handy for trip planning.
The best spring lake trout [and brook trout] fishing begins 7-10 days after ice-out, and lasts two to three weeks. If you're there right after ice-out, it's kind of pointless as the fish remain deep. But in prime time, they have to be the easiest fish to catch that swim. Everything works - spoons and body baits flat-lined a long ways out in every colour you can try.
Fish the structure - if you can't see it, then it's too deep.
Cheers, eh?
Pete"
Pete...thanks for sharing. I hadn't seen that before.
"Fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me, can't get fooled again" - W
04/04/2021 01:44PM
passthepitonspete: "Speckled: "Pete...thanks for sharing. I hadn't seen that before."
Pretty handy, eh? "
I prefer my remote imaging up close and personal. ;-)
Seagull this afternoon, courtesy of Seagull Outfitters at Seagull Outfitters webcam
04/05/2021 03:26PM
Satellite images sure show a lot of open water most everywhere but the arrowhead.
It's supposed to rain every day for a week in Ely starting Wednesday.
Prolly time to start taking ice-out bets...
It's supposed to rain every day for a week in Ely starting Wednesday.
Prolly time to start taking ice-out bets...
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
04/05/2021 05:02PM
I'm going in this Friday. I have a lake choice if there is liquid water and a river choice as plan B.
The earliest I've ever been paddling open water in the BWCA was April 1 of 2012. This year is insanely close to that. Almost unprecedented warm air. It's not right.
Tom
The earliest I've ever been paddling open water in the BWCA was April 1 of 2012. This year is insanely close to that. Almost unprecedented warm air. It's not right.
Tom
04/05/2021 05:30PM
gravelroad: "passthepitonspete: "Speckled: "Pete...thanks for sharing. I hadn't seen that before."
Pretty handy, eh? "
I prefer my remote imaging up close and personal. ;-)
Seagull this afternoon, courtesy of Seagull Outfitters at Seagull Outfitters webcam
"
Thanks for this. I didn't know this was out there. Very useful as that the area I usually trip in.
Just a guy and his dog. My YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuOcIgt_VJIRfkZES0GJLQ
04/05/2021 07:55PM
VaderStrom: "
I finally checked off my 10th month of Minnesota paddling. Now I just need to figure out a way to get on the water in January and February. It was nice and warm until my hands got wet pulling my boat out. I was the only one out there other than the pleasant company of a few mallards, 2 couples of wood ducks, a crane and the first loon I've seen this year. The 1 1/2 hr paddle around Cedar and Isles was beautiful!
"
Hello fellow Cedar/Isles paddler! This is where I spend 90% of paddling. Many Fri or Sat evenings in the summer.
04/06/2021 07:49AM
tumblehome: "I'm going in this Friday. I have a lake choice if there is liquid water and a river choice as plan B.
The earliest I've ever been paddling open water in the BWCA was April 1 of 2012. This year is insanely close to that. Almost unprecedented warm air. It's not right.
Tom"
I'm heading in next Wednesday. I have a lake choice, and if that doesn't work out I was going to hike the sioux hustler trail. What river choice do you have as plan b if you don't mind me asking.
One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning
04/11/2021 06:54PM
Aldy1: "I use to go to the metro chain of lakes quite often around a decade ago even though I live 100 miles away. Something about paddling a paddle only metro lake chain that enjoyed. We'd start in Calhoun and go all the way through the tunnel to that little pondish lake. I've never taken my son for that cruise yet. Think I should this summer.VaderStrom: "
I finally checked off my 10th month of Minnesota paddling. Now I just need to figure out a way to get on the water in January and February. It was nice and warm until my hands got wet pulling my boat out. I was the only one out there other than the pleasant company of a few mallards, 2 couples of wood ducks, a crane and the first loon I've seen this year. The 1 1/2 hr paddle around Cedar and Isles was beautiful!
"
Hello fellow Cedar/Isles paddler! This is where I spend 90% of paddling. Many Fri or Sat evenings in the summer. "
serenity now
04/15/2021 05:25PM
Today's satellite image makes it look like the west side of the BWCA is mostly but not entirely open. Take that with a satellite's worth of salt.
Snowbank is clearly still iced, and the east side lakes look to have snow on them - Brule, for example.
Snowbank is clearly still iced, and the east side lakes look to have snow on them - Brule, for example.
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
04/16/2021 12:55PM
Pretty good images today - east side still mostly closed but not as white. Snowbank looks mostly but not entirely iced, and only part of LLC and Trout on the west side appear to have ice.
Again, take that with many grains of salt - satellite resolution is good but not great.
Again, take that with many grains of salt - satellite resolution is good but not great.
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
04/16/2021 01:31PM
sns: "Pretty good images today - east side still mostly closed but not as white. Snowbank looks mostly but not entirely iced, and only part of LLC and Trout on the west side appear to have ice.
Again, take that with many grains of salt - satellite resolution is good but not great."
I'm confused or maybe I'm looking at the wrong link. All I see is cloud cover over where the BWCA would be and where it is open the only iced over lakes are north of Thunder Bay.
Just a guy and his dog. My YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRuOcIgt_VJIRfkZES0GJLQ
04/16/2021 05:44PM
Voyager: "Good looking canoe Tumblehome. Looks pretty fresh. The ones we own are 80 years old and have darkened up considerably."
Ah yes, the canoe is a year old. The varnish and wood still look pretty new but it is starting g to darken some which I love. The cedar will darken a lot too as it gets more sun.
I love my wood canvas canoes. I will never paddle synthetic!
This is one I finished last month.
Tom
04/23/2021 09:34AM
Yesterday's satellite was the clearest in some time.
Looks like everything in the middle and west is pretty open.
Saganaga clearly still has ice in the main body.
Most of the lakes along the gunflint appear to be pretty white, and for sure Brule is still largely solid.
April 22 satellite image
Looks like everything in the middle and west is pretty open.
Saganaga clearly still has ice in the main body.
Most of the lakes along the gunflint appear to be pretty white, and for sure Brule is still largely solid.
April 22 satellite image
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
04/23/2021 10:15AM
Mocha: "Looks like gunflint lake is out as much as can be seen on the gunflint lodge web cam"
Is that early, Mocha for that body of water? Seems like it usually goes out in early May?
"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”
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