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Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News
Paul Huttner

Lake ice out 2 to 3 weeks earlier than average up north

Many big lakes are now ice-free in central and northern Minnesota.

Ice giving way at Fall Lake near Ely
Ice giving way at Fall Lake near Ely
https://www.packsackcanoetrips.com/

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Boating season in Minnesota is off to an early start this year.

Most lakes are now ice-free across central and northern Minnesota. And many lakes are recording ice-out dates that are two to three weeks earlier than average.

The latest bellwether lakes to declare ice-out this week are Shagawa and Fall lakes near Ely. Both lakes report ice-out on April 13. There may still be some ice in some of the bays.

Ely area lake ice-out data
Ely area lake ice-out data
Minnesota DNR

Leech Lake near Walker recorded ice-out on April 9. That’s 19 days earlier than the median date of April 29.

Ely area lake ice-out data
Ely area lake ice-out data
Minnesota DNR

Early 2021 ice-out

Ice-out is running 2 to 3 weeks ahead of average in Minnesota this year. Here are some select ice-out dates compared to average, and the earliest on record.

Lake /2021 Ice-out/ Median/Record Earliest

White Bear Lake/March 29/April 13/March 16

Lake Mille Lacs/April 7/April 25/March 26

Leech Lake/April 9/April 28/April 2

Lower Red Lake/April 4/April 1/April 28

Shagawa/April 13/April 27/March 27

Many lakes in Minnesota are ice-free closer to the record earliest date than the median ice-out date.