These pictures were taken Saturday, April 26, 2025. It was a beautiful day in Ely. The lakes I visited were 95% ice covered. The upcoming week looks warm and sunny!
The lake name is listed above the corresponding picture.

North Arm of Burntside











Slim Lake. Everything beyond this picture was still iced over. The Slim Lake water level was higher than last year at this time.











Hegman











Nels Lake











Fenske Lake











Miners Lake (Ely)










Other nature notes I saw:
-2 broadwing hawks
-2 swans
-Mergansers and mallards are coupled up
-2 different types of butterflies
-Heard and saw many grouse. Grouse were drumming.
-My friend said she heard a loon in Ely last Tuesday
-There were so many deer in the road ditches and crossing the roads!

Saw a pair of loons, pair of buffleheads, pair of mallards, an eagle, and three butterflies at Kawishiwi Falls (Ely) yesterday. Five deer in the ditches during the 20 minute roundtrip from Ely. The moving water at the base of the falls and powerhouse has cleared the ice all the way across that section of Fall Lake, from the falls to the far shoreline.

Thanks, great photos. And much appreciate the info.

Curious what people who know a lot more about ice than I do see when you look at these photos.

I see lots of dark areas. Is that getting thin?

4 of us were thinking of heading down the Stuart River on Thursday May 1 if there was a decent chance Stuart Lake would be open.

Of course it's all big water after that - Iron an LaCroix.

Last year I'd already come back from a trip by this time! Every year is different.

May 1 might be too soon. Here's an Ely live cam you can keep an eye on.
That's a crazy note about last year's trip being done already.

PackSackCanoeTrips Ely livestream

Appreciate the pics!