I know this won't be relevant to many but, looks like it's shaping up to be significant time of open water likely without flood stage water levels.
Wondering if anyone is contemplating hitting a normally busy EP (or one you may not have gotten a permit for) in April before permits are required?

This has been on my mind for most of the winter. I have PTO set aside so I can head out for a few days. I was thinking maybe Slim or Mudro as I enjoy those areas but rarely go due to the busyness and lack of permits. I have done them in late fall after October 1, but would love to try one of those areas before May 1.

But, my hopes are in the process of being dashed as I look at the long term forecast for Ely and see the temp dropping into single digits and not getting above freezing and hearing reports of 15-17" of ice.

Maybe we will get some early April melting weather. We don't need much with the sun angle to melt that much ice.... If so, I'll be there!

April is backpacking season. The BWCA trails are definitely on my mind.

Yes. On my mind big time for a couple of months now. Hoping to take a Friday personal day and do a 3 day/2 night solo one of the weekends in April if the ice goes out and one of the weekends has a good enough forecast. Leaning towards Lake One as it’s normally very busy and I’ve never entered there.

I’ve never gone in April and it’s been a bucket list thing for a while as 2 of my favorite trips were May 4 entries right after ice out. Those trips were to normally busy areas (Horseshoe near Lizz and Mudro to Moosecamp) and I only saw a couple other people each time.

November is also on the bucket list as my latest exit was Halloween 2 years ago. Ohhhh so close. That was to Slim and I really liked it and I only saw a couple of other canoes.

If my taxes are done and the ice is out, I'll go.

wxce1260: "But, my hopes are in the process of being dashed as I look at the long term forecast for Ely and see the temp dropping into single digits and not getting above freezing and hearing reports of 15-17" of ice.
"

Considering the ice normally goes out late April/early May and we usually have more than twice that much ice and significant snow pack yet at this time of year; I'd hazzard to guess that, even with the return to typical temperatures in the forecast, we will almost certainly see additional days of open water in April.









Isabella River a couple weeks ago.

Less people, less bugs. Sounds inviting but fishing opener is May 11.
Hard to picture a trip without a walleye shore lunch.

Freddy: "
Less people, less bugs. Sounds inviting but fishing opener is May 11.
Hard to picture a trip without a walleye shore lunch.


"

Yes, sometimes in recent years we get this really warm weather, and then it cools off being wet and damp.

I'm seriously considering it. Without fishing, I'm leaning toward more of a long weekend sightseeing type trip. Not sure where yet. Great thing about that time of year, you can go anywhere!

I'm hoping for two trips before fishing opener -- one with my wife and one solo. I *love* early season, pre-fishing-opener trips. No bugs, no people, more available firewood, and it's never too hot to sit close to the fire. Plus, with a bit of research, there are more lakes than you might think that have panfish in them, so fishing isn't out of the question.

I tend to visit small lakes where wind isn't as much of an issue. Cold water paddling always makes me nervous, and it makes me very nervous if there's wind.

Yes - I plan on going, probably a big sight seeing loop up through basswood and crooked.

I sure would love to. I’m hoping April 15-20 if the ice is out by then. It’ll be weird not fishing but I’m excited to go.

I got out for a couple april outings in 2021. This year, I need to finish building our house if our planned summer full of canoe adventures is going to happen! As much as I am dying to get on the water, stay focused on building because May is coming.

Speckled: "Yes - I plan on going, probably a big sight seeing loop up through basswood and crooked."

Would be neat to see much of that route without the usual "crowds".

Enjoy.

I've never visited one of the Tofte area entry points, so I might give that a go in April for a quick 3-4 day solo.

Heading to a 2 day trip up the Kawishwi and surrounding lakes for some Crappie action. Ice should be out next fridayish.

TuscaroraBorealis: "

Speckled: "Yes - I plan on going, probably a big sight seeing loop up through basswood and crooked."

Would be neat to see much of that route without the usual "crowds".


Enjoy."

Yes very quiet if you can go before fishing opener.