Unreal how fast the ice is going.
Fished a small lake in Brainerd today and only had 10-11 inches of ice, very honey combed. A few days ago we had 20 inches and the week before that we had 26 inches. Brainerd had 68 degrees F. and very strong winds a few days ago.
Someone is going to drive out someplace this next few days and going to go thru.

Using a hand augar it took less than 8 sec. To drill a hole and it was all big chunks and very soft ice. You didn't even know you were drilling a hole.

One of the sadder days of year was yesterday......I packed away all my ice fishing gear.

earliest ice out dates

TOGGLE ON THE MAP AND IT WILL SLIDE TO THE LEFT WHEN PULLED.

15" on an east central MN lake yesterday. Headed up to the BWCA in a week. If the forecast holds it looks like we will have perfect conditions for travel and some trout fishing.

Across the lake yesterday at my sisters we watched a four wheeler go by on the lake. We all kinda looked at each other like… ok…?
We did notice they came back on the road… once the ice here turns a certain gray… I’m a little more cautious. I noticed even a bigger lake north of me is looking pretty gray as far as the ice… makes me a little more nervous about our little lake. The swans are already looking for their spots to open. It’s coming!!!

Vosburgh's Moose Lake web cam sure shows the ice as fairly dark...

sns: "Vosburgh's Moose Lake web cam sure shows the ice as fairly dark..."

Its been warm up there but nothing like it is in northcentral Minnesota. We shoild hit 70 degrees F. in Brainerd today. At least two record temps this week.
This follows last year when a few lakes went ice free down here on March 13th 2024.

I just got back from Knife Lake yesterday . Still 30+ inches of ice.

Finnboy: "I just got back from Knife Lake yesterday . Still 30+ inches of ice."

Thanks, did you ski or dog sled, I see on Moose it is glare ice. Pulling a sled in those conditions you don't even know you have a sled behind.

Pinetree: "

Finnboy: "I just got back from Knife Lake yesterday . Still 30+ inches of ice."

Thanks, did you ski or dog sled, I see on Moose it is glare ice. Pulling a sled in those conditions you don't even know you have a sled behind.
"

Dog sled. There was a little snow on the lakes when we went out but as of today it is bare ice. Definitely need creepers. Portages are doing ok for the most part.

Finnboy: "

Pinetree: "

Finnboy: "I just got back from Knife Lake yesterday . Still 30+ inches of ice."

Thanks, did you ski or dog sled, I see on Moose it is glare ice. Pulling a sled in those conditions you don't even know you have a sled behind.
"

Dog sled. There was a little snow on the lakes when we went out but as of today it is bare ice. Definitely need creepers. Portages are doing ok for the most part."

Do you have special boots so the dogs don't slip? I know some have boots with like a grip on.

On another note...
Crossed the St. Croix at Osceola on Wednesday. It's mostly ice free.
(Was skiing the spring snow at Trollhaugen)