Northwest Ontario Ice Out Predictions

[Outfitter17]

I was just out on Lower Manitou Lake today and there is about 3" of slushy snow and standing water everywhere, some places its 2" of water some 7-8". I saw 2 small holes in the ice where water was running down, in a day or two they will be 2-3' in diameter. I am guessing the lake will pop in 4-5 days and it will be great ice fishing with ATV's for another 2 weeks, but then the shorelines will start to break away and we will be done.

I know it's early, but at this rate I am guessing April 22-25 range.

[paul pachowicz]

I've been watching the temps where we fly-in which is about 300 miles north of ThunderBay, Ontario. They have been 20 degrees or so above the last two year's normals at this time of year. The last two years we barely made it in because of late ice. Our dates are the last week-end of May. I'm thinking it's gonna be earlier than normal.

[Outfitter17]

Paul,

I don't think you have anything to worry about this year regarding ice out near your trip. We are starting to haul our winter supplies and (hopefully) we will make it to monday with decent ice for driving on. We normally haul on between the 20 and 27th, with no problems, but this year the warm weather is way ahead of schedule.

Good Luck on the trip this year.

[lungdeflator]

How much snow is around Kenora area? Both land and on ice?

[paul pachowicz]

yup...that's what I was thinking. However, when we have hit the ice-out close to our arrival we caught the norderns in the spawning period and really hammered the 10-22 pounders and the pre-spawn walleyes. Milt dripping all over the place. During the warmer temps we hadda really hunt the transition areas harder. But, what the heck, it's all for the fun of being up there. Just for your info, the weather station I watch is Landesdwon House, Ontario. Our lake, Blackbirch, is around 40 mile north east of there.

[minaki]

Sounds great I have a camp in Minaki on Gun Lake plan to arrive 3rd week in May eyes off the dock 5-6 ft

[Hemlock]

Two little patches in my yard where the snow was pushed to and none to speak of on the ice...as far as snow around Kenora goes. Lake still has an inch of slush on top to keep snowmobiles cooled, but now it's four wheeler time, but not for long. Was on 10-14 inches of pretty good ice yesterday. We will see how long that holds.

Lake of the Woods varies so much for ice out, as different areas can be a week or two later than other.

[matt_shermoen]

Outfitter 17

Can't wait for the open water spring trout fishing always have a great time at your place.

Hope you have a great show this week.

[Outfitter17]

With the conditions they way they are right now, I will have to update my ice out prediction to around April 8-10 range.

Twofish - I would guess your group should do fantastic on the weekend of April 17th.

Keep me posted on the spring walleye on the river, I will have to get a day or two with you in the boat.

[JZ]

Hemlock