How long will MN have fishable ice

[KrappieKilla]

I have been fishing some lakes here in the metro that have near 18" of ice still. That is after you get past the 10-15' of shallow open water. I know the further north you go some places are reporting up to as much as 30" of ice. Looking at Brained, and even farther north, the next week is supposed to stay around freezing. Is it possible there is somewhere in MN where you can ice fish into May? Maybe even ice fish for Walleye on the opener on the 11th of May? Any chance the DNR moves the walleye opener.

As a die hard ice fisherman, these questions intrigue me. What are your thoughts?

[Matt Johnson]

Yes, it is very possible to be ice fishing on the opener, it's happened before, and actually not too long ago. At the rate we're going, we will probably see parts of the state ice fishing in May still. Reports of 30+ inches of ice in parts of northern MN still and they are even still driving trucks out. Sounds to be the same on Devils Lake, ND too. I would still advise caution though.

Around the Metro, our ice has taken a beating the last week or so. Even though its been cold, we still had a lot of moisture/rain which killed most of the shorelines. The mainlake ice is also honeycombed and water-logged, so use extreme caution and don't take any risks. If you really have the bug to ice fish then take a couple hour drive north, that would be my advise... or bring a long wooden plank if you plan to fish around the Metro, so that you can walk out to the ice without getting wet Jokes aside though, just be careful out there on the ice.

My prediction... there will still be people ice fishing somewhere in MN in May...

[KrappieKilla]

Matt, do you think there is any chance the DNR moves the walleye (and pike) opener to a week or two later due to the late spawn? I would prefer they don't, but what is your thoughts? Has that ever happened

? I may be too much of a young pup since I don't remember a time it was...

[DrJuice1980]

The date will most likely never change. It would be like moving the 4th of July to the 6th. Wont happen. Theres just too much tradition and business that weekend. If you want to ice fish for the opener go up to the BWCA. I am sure there will be lake froze over still come May.

[CANOPY SAM]

Dr.J is right. They won't move the opening date, but will likely have numerous known spawning areas closed to fishing on the opener.

This has been fairly common on the north end of Winnie over the last few years. Stretches of rivers, river mouths, etc., where walleye are still actively spawning in May, will simply be closed to fishing for a week or two until the fish move out.

If our snow squalls turn to rain in the coming weeks, things will likely change pretty fast, but there will almost certainly be many lakes with ice still floating around on the opener.

[Matt Johnson]

I agree with both of the above. The opener won't be pushed back, they will just modify some of the areas we're allowed to fish. They are pretty strict on keeping the dates as-is.

I do know it could get interesting for the Governor's Opener though... as it's supposed to be up in Park Rapids and the lake it's supposed to be held on still has almost 36" of solid ice on it...

[Jim Uran]

Yeah Fishhook lake, Dayton will need a wilcraft or something to get out and fish.. Pretty insane winter, but I am LOVING it!!!

[Desperado]

Yeah Fishhook lake, Dayton will need a wilcraft or something to get out and fish.. Pretty insane winter, but I am LOVING it!!!

wellllll, my phone hasn't rang YET