Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Ice out
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WhiteWolf |
Enjoy the weather- it's the only weather you got. |
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Pinetree |
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.so true, what a weird year, much of north central Minnesota is ice free, but the arrowhead region may be normal. |
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Rockwood |
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. |
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paddlingredrock |
Rockwood: "Nice photo Whitewolf, thank you. Thank you, Rockwood! This is the exact type of information that’s really valuable to me. Hopefully the ice out will be closer to normal rather than early. With the lake trout season being closed until May 11 the longer we can go without ice out the better off. We are for Laker fishing! |
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HighnDry |
HighnDry: " MN Ice Out - median dates " Yes, I saw the updates as well. This is the link I posted earlier if anyone is interested. |
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gravelroad |
bwcamjh: "https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html?year=2024 A number of the 2024 dates are two weeks earlier than the individual previous record and a month earlier than the respective median. Climatologists have a technical term for this circumstance: An “oh shit” moment. |
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Rockwood |
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Pinetree |
Speckled: "My predictionTOO MANY LAKES We traditionally had two lakes-one by Ely and the other up the Gunflint. Shagawa by Ely and Gunflint lake up the Gunflint. Also, we had two (officials) individuals like the Great Outdoors (now passed away and missed) for Ely and the great contributor to this site and still is, Mocha who once lived up the Gunflint and now moved further south. Both lakes Tho are listed on the DNR ice-out page, so we have an official date still. |
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paddlingredrock |
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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. |
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HighnDry |
Fishing seasons incl. Lake Trout |
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ducks |
tumblehome: " Way cool! Thanks for sharing. |
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HighnDry |
to keep up with ice conditions. I went in one season on May 6th. We barely navigated past several layered, submerged ice sheets to get up to Indian Portage. When I arrived on Knife at the end of the day, the lake was still locked tight with ice. The USFS conducts flight operations over the BWCA at some point and gives ice out updates, I think. That might be helpful to tell when the interior of the backcountry starts to free up. |
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Pinetree |
Brainerd area now has bays and pounds becoming ice free |
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sns |
tumblehome: " Great photo, Tom! |
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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. |
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ducks |
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 " CabinAfter posted some Echo Trail photos and updates in anther thread this morning and posted this about South Hegman. South Hegman This ice near shore was still thick enough to walk on. |
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OgimaaBines |
Satellite images from NASA |
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Lightfoot |
ForestDuff: "Just returned yesterday from a three day trip on the Ely side. ForestDuff, where's that photo from? Looks like it would be a nice site. |
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OMGitsKa |
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paddlingredrock |
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Sparkeh |
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bennojr |
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Finnboy |
White Iron looking south from Silver Rapids was ice covered today. Johnson and One Pine were open last Sunday. Shagawa mostly open. Farm Lake mostly open. Armstrong mostly iced over. |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
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." Grand Ely Lodge called ice out on Shagawa yesterday. The projected temps for the next few days are supposed to be around 60 with a chance of rain so, I'd think you might just make it - depending on where you're headed. On another note, there has been standing water around much of the area & in the ditches the past few days. Hopefully we keep getting the rain they're predicting to help get the green up started without needing a burning ban. |
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ducks |
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cmanimal |
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TheCommonMan |
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bennojr |
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nctry |
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Pinetree |
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bwcamjh |
Updates have started. |
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ducks |
I'm anticipating getting to do my first April trip and I'm pretty excited about it. My 2 earliest entries were both on May 4 and they were 2 of my favorite trips. I really hope everything lines up and that I get to do an April solo. |
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YaMarVa |
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Pinetree |
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. |
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gravelroad |
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. An intriguing prospect. Might be tougher to camp ON the lakes, though ... |
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bennojr |
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Soledad |
I don't think ice will survive beyond March this year. Taking my 2nd BWCA trip of the year on Friday up to Brule. Something we usually cannot do because the road doesn't get plowed. This year, there is nothing to plow which is very sad. Unless we get a lot of rain, the risk of fires this year will be high. |
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Pinetree |
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. Albert Lea ID: 24001400 2023 ice out date: April 9 Median ice out date: March 31 Earliest ice out date: March 5, 2000 Latest ice out date: April 18, 2013 Period of record: 1986 to 2023 |
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okinaw55 |
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ForestDuff |
Lightfoot:ForestDuff, where's that photo from? Looks like it would be a nice site." Lake One, plan was to hit campsite 2303 where the current comes in from Lake Two on the NE side of the lake, I expected a little open water there, but spied a large expanse of open water (200x50 yards) from a ways away and turned north to campsite 2302 instead. Which was probably for the better to avoid the northerly winds the first two days. Not usually a fan of large fire pit rock walls, but it was really nicely built and was a great wind block to take advantage of during the day. Only had fires after sunset. |
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Grizzlyman |
Drove past Albert Lea lake in S Minn today. It’s wide open… |
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WapsiBanks00 |
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paddlingredrock |
Somehow, we gotta figure this out!! I’ve got all the components for my new fly rod including the line and leaders. My Rod from maxxon should be here any day. And they’re giving me an extra end section. I’m going to shorten the rod by about 8 inches but I’ll always have an original end section to keep the rod full 9’ in case I give it to my boy. |
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BWPaddler |
In metro area my lake didn't even freeze over until 2024, and was open again less than 8 weeks later. Incredible. |
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bennojr |
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Pinetree |
Lot of ice melting today across the State. |
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paddlingredrock |
Pinetree: "As of now March 11th at 1500, Ely is at 62 degrees F., and Sea Gull lake is 60 degrees F. Thanks for the update Pinetree. Really appreciate it. Looks like an all-time record may be set this year if things continue.. the winds help melt it too. It’s really windy down here in Iowa today with a lot of sun. |
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Pinetree |
Mille Lac's earliest date is March 26th,2012. Could be ice-free this weekend? |
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sns |
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HighnDry |
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Grizzlyman |
Anyone measure ice recently up near Ely or gunflint? |
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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 |
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Banksiana |
I spent the previous two days wandering around on the lakes off the Echo Trail without really giving the ice a thought. |
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HighnDry |
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 " Thank you! Good to know. |
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bennojr |
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tumblehome |
That said, the sun is higher now and that melts snow/ice more than the temp itself. Tom |
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eagleriverwalleye |
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gravelroad |
With the 6 to 30 (!) inches of snow coming this weekend, any of you folks with early April plans will have to change them, methinks. Ain't gonna be no meltin' in the B-Dub in the immediate future: |
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Pinetree |
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." agree, starting Saturday April 6th it suppose to be in the low 50s and lows above freezing for 10 days at least in Ely. Brainerd area some small lakes refroze and then open up during the day again. |
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KYLESCABIN |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
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JimmyJustice |
WhiteWolf: "Rockwood: "Poplar Lake, Gunflint Trail I asked a few friends back in January if they would be up for an April BWCA trip (wether permitting). This was the response I got from one of them: "I'd be game if it works out. I think there is gonna be ice , unless you hit a river. PS- I think most are going to be surprised how "normal" the ice out is this year. It's been very mild. But...... lot of winter left (hint)" Wonder who that was from... |
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Rockwood |
April 3rd, 2024 16" solid ice 6" of hardpack snow. https://www.rockwoodbwca.com/webcam |
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WhiteWolf |
Rockwood: "Poplar Lake, Gunflint Trail 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 . |
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TheCommonMan |
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bennojr |
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CabinAfter |
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paddlingredrock |
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ducks |
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 |
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TheCommonMan |
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tumblehome |
Ice is off SE of Ely. I was on Pietro today. Still ice here and there. |
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Pinetree |
tumblehome: " awesome, are you going to make the loop? |
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ducks |
sns: "Pinetree: "Moose lake ice changed overnight, should be out by Monday night or sooner." The rain did its damage yesterday and the close to 60 and Sun today might finish it off. Anyone know how the numbered lakes fare compared to Moose and others? I’m guessing the current of the Kawishiwi River would open them up. |
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tumblehome |
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 |
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Pinetree |
tumblehome: "@Pintree. Use to like the campsite across the lake from portage from Gull, in the southwest corner. I went into Petro the year after the fire and Pietro landscape was just covered with fireweed and its purple flower. It was pretty. Yes the campsites took a beating. |
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Pinetree |
ducks: "It’s getting close. Ely side Moose lake is starting to crack and should be out by the 18Th or sooner. Were going to be about 14-18 days ahead of normal. If heading to Canada Bayley bay will have ice next weekend probably |
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bradcrc |
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. |
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Pinetree |
bradcrc: "My earliest BWCA trip was April 17th in 2010. Don't think we'll beat that this year.March 30th,2012 for me. |
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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. |
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Pinetree |
ducks: "CabinAfter: "Holy smokes, it looks like Moose Lake went out over the weekend??! Last week this was a sheet of ice. Awesome-I see no canoes yet? |
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Pinetree |
CabinAfter: "Holy smokes, it looks like Moose Lake went out over the weekend??! Last week this was a sheet of ice. Last night at sunset it had about 40% ice left-super thin. |
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Mocha |
LOOKS LIKE GUNFLINT LAKE HAS SOME OPEN WATER!!! |
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OgimaaBines |
Sawbill Outfitters News |
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Mocha |
JUST LOOK AT HOW FAR YOU CAN SEE AND THERE IS NO ICE!!! |
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HighnDry |
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Pinetree |
Seagull lake-44 degrees F. |
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Pinetree |
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HighnDry |
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sns |
"That's a Paddlin' " |
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RedLakePaddler |
Tonight’s low is forecasted at -6*F. We are at about the same latitude as Ely. I am rooting for an early ice out but this is a little discouraging. I am hopeful that the fields blow clear and the sun starts working on them again. Carl Got to go out and get the snowblower running! |
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paddlingredrock |
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paddlingredrock |
I am very interested and dependent upon when the ice may go out this year and it’s really valuable to have input from you anglers and other paddlers to weigh in and let the rest of the world know what you’re thinking in terms of ice out? Thank you for any help you can provide. There is a thread already established and I missed it. I apologize, but I can’t find any reference to it. |
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sns |
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Pinetree |
sns: "So what's the normal ice thickness like this time of year in the BWCA area, and what's it like now?" 32-36+ inches normal-much depends on snow cover |
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dschult2 |
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Pinetree |
ducks: "A couple weeks ago I heard a report of 17 inches on a Gunflint Trail lake that would usually have around 34 inches. " Tuscarora Lodge just said from 15-20 inches. |
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Grizzlyman |
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ForestDuff |
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. |
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Pinetree |
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?" Spring can get flaky-seen years where it is really warm then cools of and the ice barely hangs in there forever. That said next weekend is supposed to be super warm, like 50's in Ely, and around 65 degrees F. by Mille Lacs. If we get strong winds, I could see small lakes ice-free in north central Minnesota in two weeks. Yes, it is neat to lake trout fish in March in open water. Also, very quiet up the Gunflint then. Est date? A lot will depend on the next 10 days. Also, with no snow on the ground, air is warming up like 10 degrees just because of no reflection of sun rays. Also what you really need is nights that stay above freezing. So maybe getting a little too anxious. |
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Grizzlyman |
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JD |
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!" Technically you could still fish for panfish/crappies. There are some lakes with freak sized crappies! I haven't caught any yet, but seen photos and videos... |
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paddlingredrock |
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Grizzlyman |
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hobbydog |
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gravelroad |
Grizzlyman: "Lots of open water on lake Minnetonka today. Grays bay looks to be about 50% open. " Sounds like you’re a lock to beat the all-time record, given the forecast for the coming days: |
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ducks |
April 2 for Ely side and April 8 for Gunflint side. |
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paddlingredrock |
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dschult2 |
paddlingredrock: "Dschultz - thx for the heads up on season dates! Definately need to look that up as it would change everthing??. " I'm in the same boat as you. I like to target lakers right after ice out as well. Thats why the last two years were great. You can go to Quetico. Lake trout, bass, and pike will be open but not Walleye. |
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Soledad |
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Pinetree |
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? It is just to give them a break from the harvest of fish. It makes sense to close. Years ago, I spring-summer Stream Trout Lakes opened two weeks earlier than the walleye opener. Maybe lake trout did also, I am not sure. Having only stream trout lakes open all the pressure was on them and creel censuses showed in a two-week period 75% of the trout in the lakes were fished out. Some of the same reasons the DNR might in the future have the BWCA and lakes outside the BWCA have the same winter opening date in the future. To spread the fishing pressure around and not target specific areas. |
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paddlingredrock |
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HighnDry |
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sns |
Paddled the wide-open St Croix today...was lovely. |
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Rockwood |
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 |
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paddlingredrock |
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! Thx rockwood.. ur first-hand reports are really valuable! |
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Rockwood |
Thx rockwood.. ur first-hand reports are really valuable!" You are more than welcome. We also created a blog post and short video about early ice-out canoe trips... https://www.rockwoodbwca.com/low-snow-early-trips/ |
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Pinetree |
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TheCommonMan |
ducks: "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 " |
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TheCommonMan |
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Heyfritty |
Fritty |
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ducks |
TheCommonMan: "Thanks for the info. I didn’t see this tell I got back April Hegman trip ok" Ironically I just watched your YouTube video while I was on the rowing machine an hour ago and I came on here to say I enjoyed your video and here you just posted it on here. I stayed at that same campsite on my fall solo last October and really liked it. |
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TheCommonMan |
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Rockwood |
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Nateoutdoors |
We had the whole place to ourselves never seeing anyone else the whole trip. Water levels were average to above average. |
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ducks |
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. I had Lake One to myself from the 19th to the 21st and those bursts of 10 minute blizzards off and on were crazy That real feel temp of 17 was pretty chilly. I put on 10,000 steps just walking the trail around my island campsite on Friday to keep moving. Double sleeping bags kept me warm in the tent. I bet that hot tent was really nice. I think Echo was asking me for a Hot Tent. |
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ducks |
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Speckled |
04/01 - Ely Side 04/22 - Gunflint Side |