Hi,

Winter is here!

The lakes are starting to freeze, but there is still quite a bit of open water. It's going to be a while for the big lakes, with the warmer weather in the forecast.

Here's what it looks like: Gunflint Ice Update

Watch out for the West Bearskin latrine...

Andy

Thanks for the update, Andy.

Really appreciate the effort.

Hoping for some wild skating this year before the heavy snow comes.

A warm couple of days ahead for us though.

Mike

Thanks Andy. Your first ice walleye of the season looked to be a pretty nice one. Hopefully I'll get mine this weekend. I appreciate your updates

Here's what it looked like yesterday and this morning.

Is it winter?

The small lakes are pretty good, but I'd be pretty careful on medium lakes and probably stay off the large lakes until we get another week of cold weather.

Andy

Our first hike into the BWCAW to check out the ice.

Is Tuscarora Frozen?

If you're coming up for the holidays be careful, there's lot so good ice but there's also lots of open water.

Andy

Winter is slowly settling in on the Gunflint Trail. We got 2 to 4 inches of snow overnight, so there's now 2 to 4 inches of snow in the woods and on the lakes. Lol. Skiing would be the way to go on the lakes right now. The portages are still a long ways from being skiable and pulling a sled over them would be pretty rough.

Here's what it looked like before the snow: Lake Trout Trip

The big lakes, like Sag, Gunflint, Clearwater, North, South, etc. froze up very late and are the ice is thin and not uniform. We need another cold snap before I'd recommend spending much time on them.

Andy

Early spring? Or is the ice still holding up?

No video, but you can see the conditions on Facebook and Insta.

The temps are dropping fast and the 2/10s of rain we got is going to freeze solid on the lakes within the next 24 hours. We're going to be back to boot travel on the lakes.

The lake ice is holding up well, thankfully the snow absorbed most of the warm temps the last two weeks. Looking forward in the forecast we're going to be making ice again soon.

It's a great season to ice fish!

Andy

Hook ‘em!

“ CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports that area ice remains in good shape and foot travel in the BWCA is as good as it gets. Anglers continue to pursue trout, and some nice fish were seen caught. Equipment maintenance was performed.”



MN DNR CO Reports - District 6 Two Harbors area

Thanks! Heading up Friday for the first trip of the year.

The 2nd trip of the year on the 29th, may not happen if temps go back into the 40's
:(

Any snow on the portages?

I am wondering the same thing. We are prepared to have to carry our duffel bags across if need be. I am assuming that well traveled areas are going to be rocky at least.

Very little snow on portages.



This isn't in the BWCAW, but adjacent.

Andy

I know I'm asking to predict the future, but I'm starting to get a little worried looking at the extended forecasts. That combined with the fact that all the ice here in Iowa is gone now.

I have a couple buddies planning a winter camping/ ice fishing trip over spring break. Hoping to go on clearwater. Think the ice will still be safe on March 15?

I hope it’s good for you, would love a report as we are trying to ice fish the weekend after.

I just heard back from clearwater lodge. No one has fished in 2 days, the ice is in bad shape. I think we're canceling.