"Ice Out" this spring

[minnducker]

Down south for the winter. Watching weather in MN it looks like an early ice-out this year. Can return any time, but would like to be back shortly after ice goes out in Brainerd area. ("Normal" is April 20 something around Brainerd). Weather/temps look about 3 weeks ahead of normal this spring. Any ice out observations/guesses around the state ?

[whitebassman]

Here in Little Falls area, the ice is turning dark, the warmer inlet bays are open, and the north side of our lake is open out 6 feet. I'm guessing definitely in two weeks if not one week for our lake here. If the overnight temps would stay above freezing it would help. But the next week is suppose to be in 50s for highs and sunny.

Tempted to bring the ice chopper vessels from Duluth Harbor to bust up our little lake!

[Nick Kuhn]

Here in St. Paul the ice is out on the small roadside ponds. I went past a 5 acre pond/swamp that was 90% open, so small ponds/lakes should open within the week in the Twin Cities. Large lakes are at least another 10 days barring heavy rain/wind in the next few days.

[sparkydm]

Was at the lake place near Somerset this weekend. Ice is out! A couple people were putting out their docks.

[cbrooks]

I found open water today. Still some ice around the shore. I'm guessing next weekend I will able to fish from shore there:)

[Musky_Madness]

Here's a good link to see statewide status

http://climate.umn.edu/doc/ice_out/ice_out_status_10.htm

[Nick Kuhn]

St. Croix was ice free when I crossed it on the way back from Madison today. It was still 85% ice when I crossed it Saturday morning.

Lake Monona in Madison also had 2 boats fishing it when I drove by this morning, and I passed at least another dozen trailering their boats around.

[JewellOutdoors]

Since ice out affects the fishing leech supply, we're also holding a contest to celebrate it at Jewell Outdoors. You can enter your guess for the date leeches will be available to ship at this link: http://jewelloutdoors.ning.com/forum/topics/what-day-will-we-first-have