Pinetree: "Things can change but we are ahead of the 2012 ice out on lakes. I was canoeing on small lakes on March 30th in the BWCA lake Trout fishing.
Air temps right now are temps we usually see around April 1.
Also, ice thickness is less than in 2012 right now. It will be interesting.
You may have a month of April to self-issue and camp in the BWCA by canoe."

sns: "So what's the normal ice thickness like this time of year in the BWCA area, and what's it like now?"

ducks: "A couple weeks ago I heard a report of 17 inches on a Gunflint Trail lake that would usually have around 34 inches. "

paddlingredrock: "Wow pinetree! I was thinking something around mid April….but with your experience in late March, now I am wondering about early April or even March. I would be entering on sag and paddling down the corridor towards knife. Based in your experience, whats your estimated date? Late March, early April?"

ForestDuff: "Just returned yesterday from a three day trip on the Ely side.
No snow on the north shorelines and patchy snow elsewhere.
Ice looked to be a little over a foot thick.
46° to 5° made for one of the loudest most active snap, crackle, pop nights on the ice.
Unless we get an extended cold snap, I foresee a very early ice out.


"

Lightfoot:ForestDuff, where's that photo from? Looks like it would be a nice site."

Grizzlyman: "Local lake here in the twin cities is looking real sketchy today. If weather holds it’s just be a few days to a week here.

Drove past Albert Lea lake in S Minn today. It’s wide open…"

HighnDry: " MN Ice Out - median dates "

bwcamjh: "https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html?year=2024



Updates have started."

Speckled: "My prediction


04/01 - Ely Side
04/22 - Gunflint Side"

paddlingredrock: "So far based on the comments, it looks like ice out. Could be anytime from late March through the third weekend in April. Based on what all of you are saying that is probably a good bet. I really appreciate the updates and comments of everyone involved. Because of some health reasons, I’m planning on taking a trip right after ice out and targeting Lakers on a fly rod. The timing after ice out is critical, and this information is invaluable.! Thank you all!"

dschult2: "

paddlingredrock: "So far based on the comments, it looks like ice out. Could be anytime from late March through the third weekend in April. Based on what all of you are saying that is probably a good bet. I really appreciate the updates and comments of everyone involved. Because of some health reasons, I’m planning on taking a trip right after ice out and targeting Lakers on a fly rod. The timing after ice out is critical, and this information is invaluable.! Thank you all!"

I could be wrong but lake trout season closes on April 1 and will not open again until May 11 so an April ice out means no fishing."

Grizzlyman: "Lots of open water on lake Minnetonka today. Grays bay looks to be about 50% open. "

paddlingredrock: "Dschultz - thx for the heads up on season dates! Definately need to look that up as it would change everthing??. "

paddlingredrock: "Looks like laker season is closed from 3/31 to 5/13. ??…. Couldn’t be worse timing for ice out lakers this year. Can anyone tell me why they close the season in the spring as lakers are fall spawners?
"

Pinetree: "As of now March 11th at 1500, Ely is at 62 degrees F., and Sea Gull lake is 60 degrees F.
Lot of ice melting today across the State."

Rockwood: "Poplar on the Gunflint Trail - March 13 is 17" thick solid all the way to shore. We live here year-round. The ice is moving up and down a lot, with a lot of noise and cracking. The top surface has been washed out by rain and re-freezes each night so patchy smooth surfaces. Some days there's a thin crust of ice over an inch of water that is sitting on the 17" of solid ice, disconcerting when you break through the thin crust on top!


The current best guess is early April, but some around here are wondering if it might go out in March. The earliest we remember any ice out up here is the Baumanns who manage Golden Eagle remember the first week of April one year.


Our webcam is working if you want to watch. I'll try to keep the ice thickness listed on there as well.
Thank you everyone! Sorry I missed Canoecopia.
https://www.rockwoodbwca.com/webcam "

Thx rockwood.. ur first-hand reports are really valuable!"

HighnDry: "I think per MN DNR Ice out map that Dinham us the lake closest to the BWCA that's reporting an ice out. I'd guess those granite-lined deeper lakes along the gunflint will still take some time to free up. Hungry Jack folks and Gunflint lodge people might be able to help us out ice conditions up there."

Pinetree: "

HighnDry: "I think per MN DNR Ice out map that Dinham us the lake closest to the BWCA that's reporting an ice out. I'd guess those granite-lined deeper lakes along the gunflint will still take some time to free up. Hungry Jack folks and Gunflint lodge people might be able to help us out ice conditions up there."

14 inches "

WhiteWolf: "Winter has happened. Ice out? -- my guess is near norms ( maybe a week early) for most BW lakes. A unreal difference (record?) from Southern/Central MN lakes? Epic warm winter can turn pretty quick when Spring can still be cold.





Enjoy the weather- it's the only weather you got. "

Rockwood: "Nice photo Whitewolf, thank you.


We drilled a hole today, 13" solid ice with 13" of drifted snow on top. However, 30' away there's a spot where the ice is super thin, was open water last week. We had snowmobiles on the lake yesterday, luckily they didn't try skipping that section.


Poplar Lake, mid-gunflint Trail near EP 47, 48, 49."

TuscaroraBorealis: "Even when considering the big storm & it hasn't been exceedingly warm lately, I've noticed alot of the shallower lakes around Ely are opening up again. Don't think it will take much/long once we do get some warmer temps, rain, wind etc."

Rockwood: "Poplar Lake, Gunflint Trail
April 3rd, 2024


16" solid ice


6" of hardpack snow.


https://www.rockwoodbwca.com/webcam


"

WhiteWolf: "

Rockwood: "Poplar Lake, Gunflint Trail
April 3rd, 2024
16" solid ice
6" of hardpack snow.
https://www.rockwoodbwca.com/webcam
"

Wow. Gonna take at least 15-20 days to open most of those lakes along the Gunflint if not more. Probably looking at a week or so early ice out compared to avg for many lakes in the Arrowhead?? Amazing compared to the records set in S.MN . 2012- all lakes (recorded) were out by now in Arrowhead other than Greenwood and Trout. Crazy . "

TheCommonMan: "Any news on ice conditions near Ely? I have next week off and was hoping somehow ice out would happen before the 15th. Would love to do a bonus April trip. Any info would be good thanks."

ducks: "It’s getting close.

Tentative plan is still to head up the 19th, but will change to the 26th if needed. As of now the weather forecast for the 26th is looking a lot warmer. The weekend of the 19th is looking cold and windy.


Report from Rockwood’s website on Poplar Lake.


April 11, 2024 – 10? weak ice, areas of dark ice and open water
April 8, 2024 – 14? solid ice"

tumblehome: "


Ice is off SE of Ely. I was on Pietro today.
Still ice here and there."

bradcrc: "My earliest BWCA trip was April 17th in 2010. Don't think we'll beat that this year.

Didn't see any humans, and none of the portages had footprints in the frost heave except a few moose.



Ice has been out since February down here around Rochester, so I've been itching to get up to BWCA for a while now, but looks like it may be a bit still."

tumblehome: "


Ice is off SE of Ely. I was on Pietro today.
Still ice here and there."

tumblehome: "


Ice is off SE of Ely. I was on Pietro today.
Still ice here and there."

Pinetree: "Moose lake ice changed overnight, should be out by Monday night or sooner."

sns: "

Pinetree: "Moose lake ice changed overnight, should be out by Monday night or sooner."

Was just looking at that - appears that there's a big patch of open water, and I'll bet it looks very different by the end of the day."

TheCommonMan: "Was hoping to go April 15 to a small lake maybe South Hegman I’m assuming that’s open. I’ve been watching Moose Lake, but hearing smaller lakes are open. Please let me know if you think it is open. Thanks "

tumblehome: "@Pintree.
I didn’t do the loop. I was on another lake nearby and made a day trip to Pietro to check on the regrowth after the fire. While the forest around Pietro is coming back and will surely look lush in the summer, the campsites are just the pits. One of the three is passable but barely and the other two, not so much.


For the other comments- thanks. That’s my trusty solo wood/canvas canoe. The ooonly way to travel.
Tom"

CabinAfter: "Holy smokes, it looks like Moose Lake went out over the weekend??! Last week this was a sheet of ice.


"

ducks: "

CabinAfter: "Holy smokes, it looks like Moose Lake went out over the weekend??! Last week this was a sheet of ice.



"

It was pretty much completely covered on Saturday and gradually went out throughout the day yesterday and last night. "

CabinAfter: "Holy smokes, it looks like Moose Lake went out over the weekend??! Last week this was a sheet of ice.


"

Nateoutdoors: "Just Got back from a 4 day trip. We entered April 18th through Mudro #23 and went up to Lower Basswood Falls and to the Canadian Portage there. Only one spot of Ice and snow we had to navigate around on a portage, otherwise the lakes and rivers were wide open. We did have blizzard conditions at times but it never accumulated. We brought a small hot tent for shelter.


We had the whole place to ourselves never seeing anyone else the whole trip.


Water levels were average to above average. "