How much of an ice season is left in northern MN?

[wookiemofo]

With the spring temps finally here, how much of a season do we have left? We are fishing the case chain this wed and fri, with a lotw trip in between.

With highs approaching 50, and 55 on thur... Are we at risk? Think we'll still be driving out on the lake near cass?

[Stick in Mud]

There's lots of time left. It takes a lot of energy to melt 30+ inches of ice.

[tazimna]

you will have no problem driving on most lakes up here for a while yet. Perched Cass this weekend and the bite was decent. Make sure you have your extension on.Good luck, Taz

[wookiemofo]

Not having any late ice experience... what do you think we are getting into? Should I expect 4" of water on top of the ice?

[tazimna]

some years that can/is a problem, but this year with minimal snow on the ground, it should not be an issue

[BobT]

There's lots of time left. It takes a lot of energy to melt 30+ inches of ice.

I might have to disagree. The energy comes more from the sun than from the air temps. If the forecast sunny days and warm temps come true I would say there's not much season left...around here anyway. With the small amount of snow cover, it won't take long to expose that dark water and when that happens, the sun will be very effective.

If the forecast was for highs in the 60's but cloudy I would expect it to last longer but not with this forecast.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I fully plan on fishing through Easter weekend. With 3'+ of ice, I don't think there'll be any issues.

[JBMasterAngler]

Yeah, this heat wave couldn't have come at a worse time. My lake of the woods trip isn't until the 21st!

[foo]

The next 2 weeks are going to really beat up this ice very quickly. Depends on how far north but, doesn't look like this ice will be around in April, or much of it. Just my opinion.

[CaptainMusky]

As hard on the ice as warm sunny days are what really slows it down are when the nights go below freezing. If it stays above freezing a several days in a row, the ice will degrade very quickly. I would say many lakes South of Brainerd will be in trouble for vehicle traffic starting early next week already. There will still be lots of ice, but getting onto that ice will be a problem. There was some issues back in early Feb on lakes in St Cloud area.

There is a lot of gravel that gets tracked onto the ice and this sun beating down on it will destroy it already.

I talked to a guy who fished Osakis Saturday and guys already had to drive around the original path to get on the ice because it was ponding up really bad.

Im not too disappointed though. I will probably get my boat home this weekend so I can spend some time rigging it and have it on the water in a couple weeks. :-)

[BobT]

As hard on the ice as warm sunny days are what really slows it down are when the nights go below freezing. If it stays above freezing a several days in a row, the ice will degrade very quickly. I would say many lakes South of Brainerd will be in trouble for vehicle traffic starting early next week already. There will still be lots of ice, but getting onto that ice will be a problem. There was some issues back in early Feb on lakes in St Cloud area.

There is a lot of gravel that gets tracked onto the ice and this sun beating down on it will destroy it already.

I talked to a guy who fished Osakis Saturday and guys already had to drive around the original path to get on the ice because it was ponding up really bad.

Im not too disappointed though. I will probably get my boat home this weekend so I can spend some time rigging it and have it on the water in a couple weeks. :-)

I would agree with this and judging by the forecast, it doesn't look good for the ice.

[river rat316]

I was on Osakis on Sunday and had no problems with the access

[CaptainMusky]

I was on Osakis on Sunday and had no problems with the access

well there are what 4 accesses on the lake? You must have picked the right one.

[tazimna]

Fished on Bemidji yesterday. Other than a little snow melt, no ice issues, and accesses in good shape. Was able to bang some jumbo perch and moved deeper to get a few tullibees for the smoker. It'll be hit hard this weekend with vehicles, but if weather stays like this, the accesses will be tough for vehicles next weekend.Taz

[foo]

Warmer than forecast...good bye ice fishing in the next 3 days...good bye ice in the next 11 days...open water is very near

[th64]

Best thing anyone in the state could do is walk-your eyes feet and instincts will serve you well on foot. Cruising around in a machine-not so much. On foot if you fall threw turn 180 d. and you can pull yourself up onto solid ice. On a machine your forward momentum will pull you past good ice and the action of your toy sinking will not help either. Those news stories you hear about people dying or having close calls on the ice are all people who are not on foot.

At least make sure you are going to a lake you know well and have a plan B if your gut tells you not to drive. I'm going Sun. in the metro even though many think I'm crazy-but if it looks bad I'll go right home.

[JSK76]

Got out today on an area lake for what I think will be my last time this season. Absolutely no water on the ice but I drilled a hole 1/2 way through to make a little fridge to keep my drinks cold and out of the sun and within seconds it was full of water. I thought that was strange since I only went 1/2 way down and no water on top the ice to fill it up. Had a heck of a time cutting the ice with the auger too and last weekend in the same spot it cut like butter.

Wish I would have put some sun screen on before heading out today too!

[Mid-Lake Rock]

On Saturday, fished a lake north of Bemidji. We drove wheelers, but most people were driving trucks. One truck with a wheel house. I bottomed out the auger on every hole. The ice was starting to honeycomb, but no flooding. Only downside was the intense heat from the sun.

[mn86]

i know you guys are further north than i am but chew on this. on Sunday the 8th there was 24 inches of solid driveable ice where im at, fast forward to friday there was only 12 inches of ice and its all honeycombed, water seeping through, ice flexes when you walk, 8 inch auger holes that are 10 inch now, and the shorline was bad. went ahead and drove by the lake again yesterday and the shorline is basically gone 10 ft all the way around. it was sunny and warm all week for us with a forecast just like the one posted on this thread. i feel safer on 3 inches of solid ice then i do on 12 inches of dump i was on friday. BE SAFE!!!

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Drove back to the metro today from north of Bemidji. There were wheelers on several smaller lakes. Also saw wheelers on Leech and the lakes along 371 between Nisswa and Baxter.

See my post above regarding my experience north of Bemidji. I have been talking with friends in the Arrowhead and they are still able to fish without problems. My goal is two more weeks and looking at weather forcasts in far northern Minnesota I think it is possible. Also, Mille Lacs still has time. Check out Eddie FM-Millelacs's reports.

I have never fallen through and also gone home when it is not safe. There is still a little time left if you are willing to drive and pick the right lakes. One thing I like about the Mille Lacs resorts is that they will not put you in danger. I was up there last week and the tulibee bite is crazy. If you need a last ice fix I would give it a shot.

[maros91]

I plan on taking a wheeler out on Mille Lacs next Sunday. I fished Wahkon Bay yesterday and there was 28" of ice with trucks driving. Temps are suppose to cool over the week. I would say two more weekends on Mille Lacs.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Temps are suppose to cool over the week. I would say two more weekends on Mille Lacs.

I agree 100%. Maybe not every access, but there will be resorts open. The tulibees are on fire on the main lake. The pout and perch fishing should be good.

There are many years where I have walked out on Mille Lacs and done well very near shore during late ice. Always going out of a resort with reliable ice reports/conditions.

[redneckdan]

Two 12" extensions barely makes water. I think we will be good for a while yet...

[gunner55]

Plenty of ice here too but it's all honeycombed.About 20 yds. of open water on each side of the Cutfoot bridge on MN 46 yesterday am.Long range forcast for low to mid 40's for daytime highs here.Be safe everybody

[pathogen]

Saw 4 wheelers driving around on Garrison Bay / Mille Lacs yesterday. I'm going out (on foot) today in Crosslake area.