BWCA Official ice out guesses for Shagawa and Gunflint Lakes Boundary Waters Listening Point

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Listening Point - General Discussion

Official ice out guesses for Shagawa and Gunflint Lakes

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The Great Outdoors

04/17/2013 08:10AM

Lets have our ice out contest, with Shagawa Lake near Ely, and Gunflint Lake being the bodies of water.
I'll volunteer to judge the Shagawa ice out, and will volunteer Mocha to judge ice out on Gunflint Lake, if that's OK with the forum:
Here we go with the official TGO guess:
Shagawa Lake: May 15th
Gunflint Lake: May 22nd.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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nojobro

04/17/2013 08:29AM

Shagawa: May 16
Gunflint: May 25

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gutmon

04/17/2013 08:31AM

Shag- May 13
Gunflint- May 18
(I'm an optimist)

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rupprider

04/17/2013 08:32AM

Shagawa: May 12
Gunflint: May 21

"The world is big, and I want to get a good look at it before it gets dark". John Muir

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Kiporby

04/17/2013 08:41AM

Shagawa: May 11
Gunflint: May 17

There is a light and it never goes out. Morrissey

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mooseplums

04/17/2013 08:46AM

Shagwa May 18th
Gunflint May 26

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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cowdoc

04/17/2013 08:50AM

quote mooseplums: "Shagwa May 18th
Gunflint May 26"

...damn Fall tripper.....

"What could happen?"

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airmorse

04/17/2013 08:54AM

Shagawa: May 17
Gunflint: May 28

"In wilderness is the salvation of mankind." Thoreau.

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BananaHammock

04/17/2013 09:12AM

When this ice starts to go, it is going to go fast. Shag may 7th, gunflint may 13th and a high of 72º may 16th in ely.

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PINETREE

04/17/2013 09:26AM

May 13th for Shagawa and May 19th for Gunflint.

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Speckled

04/17/2013 09:28AM

Shagwa - May 14th
Gunflint - May 19th

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PINETREE

04/17/2013 09:29AM

Last year we had a problem with a lot of late entries so a deadline date to enter should be established. Like 10 days or less or whatever Great Outdoors and your side-kick Mocha think it should be.

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inspector13

04/17/2013 09:38AM

quote BananaHammock: "... and a high of 72º may 16th in ely."

Does this come with a money back guarantee? : )

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jdevries

04/17/2013 09:45AM

Shagawa - May 9
Gunflint - May 12

JD

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3Ball

04/17/2013 10:00AM

TGO (or other Elyites): Does White Iron usually have ice out before or after Shagawa?

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BananaHammock

04/17/2013 10:39AM

quote inspector13: "
quote BananaHammock: "... and a high of 72º may 16th in ely."

Does this come with a money back guarantee? : )

"

No money back, but I will give it a lifetime limited warranty.

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Zulu

04/17/2013 11:06AM

I am going to predict dates that would set a record for both lakes.

Shagawa Lake - May 17th
Gunflint Lake - May 28th

Thanks to Mocha and The Great Outdoors for officiating this contest.

Does anyone remember ice out contests where you would guess when a jalopy that was placed on the ice would plunge through? My friends dad won a brand new Hi-Fi Record Console when he correctly guessed right one year in the 1960's.
I don't know why that practice was stopped. The old cars made great Crappie Cribs. :)

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bojibob

04/17/2013 11:13AM

Shagawa: May 15 (my original guess)
Gunflint: May 20

"One inch on the map ~ is not one inch on the ground"

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gutmon

04/17/2013 12:27PM

quote Zulu: "I am going to predict dates that would set a record for both lakes.

Shagawa Lake - May 17th
Gunflint Lake - May 28th

Thanks to Mocha and The Great Outdoors for officiating this contest.

Does anyone remember ice out contests where you would guess when a jalopy that was placed on the ice would plunge through? My friends dad won a brand new Hi-Fi Record Console when he correctly guessed right one year in the 1960's.
I don't know why that practice was stopped. The old cars made great Crappie Cribs. :)"

They did this in Hibbing as recently as 6-7 years ago. I do think they removed the car after it sank.

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mooseplums

04/17/2013 12:49PM

quote cowdoc: "
quote mooseplums: "Shagwa May 18th
Gunflint May 26"

...damn Fall tripper....."

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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rupprider

04/17/2013 01:11PM

quote gutmon: "
quote Zulu: "I am going to predict dates that would set a record for both lakes.

Shagawa Lake - May 17th
Gunflint Lake - May 28th

Thanks to Mocha and The Great Outdoors for officiating this contest.

Does anyone remember ice out contests where you would guess when a jalopy that was placed on the ice would plunge through? My friends dad won a brand new Hi-Fi Record Console when he correctly guessed right one year in the 1960's.
I don't know why that practice was stopped. The old cars made great Crappie Cribs. :)"

They did this in Hibbing as recently as 6-7 years ago. I do think they removed the car after it sank."

I think your thinking of Chisholm. I believe they switched from a vehicle to a giant bobber looking object a few years ago.

"The world is big, and I want to get a good look at it before it gets dark". John Muir

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gutmon

04/17/2013 02:14PM

quote rupprider: "
quote gutmon: "
quote Zulu: "I am going to predict dates that would set a record for both lakes.

Shagawa Lake - May 17th
Gunflint Lake - May 28th

Thanks to Mocha and The Great Outdoors for officiating this contest.

Does anyone remember ice out contests where you would guess when a jalopy that was placed on the ice would plunge through? My friends dad won a brand new Hi-Fi Record Console when he correctly guessed right one year in the 1960's.
I don't know why that practice was stopped. The old cars made great Crappie Cribs. :)"

They did this in Hibbing as recently as 6-7 years ago. I do think they removed the car after it sank."

I think your thinking of Chisholm. I believe they switched from a vehicle to a giant bobber looking object a few years ago."

You are correct, sir.

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walllee

04/17/2013 02:17PM

Shagawa May 21 Gunflint May 29

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schweady

04/17/2013 02:32PM

Let's see... What's left?...

Shagawa Lake - May 20th
Gunflint Lake - May 24th

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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shock

04/17/2013 03:03PM

in 1996 ice when out on seagull & sag may 16th and may 17th , and tonka went out april 24th that year, my group cancelled may 10th entry and reserved 1 for may 17th, so thats what i'm hoping for.

keep your line wet, good things will happen

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tumblehome

04/17/2013 03:36PM

Food for thought,

Based on some of the estimates so far, people are suggesting that these lakes might be ice-free in 20 days. That is just crazy talk.

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yogi59weedr

04/17/2013 03:39PM

Shaguwa may9 gunflint may 13

Ah retired @ 50

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Basspro69

04/17/2013 03:46PM

Shag May 17th Gunflint May 19th

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein. WWJD

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burntsider

04/17/2013 04:31PM

Given the shade from the new monster bird-slaughtering cell tower on the Fernberg, I'd have to guess Shagawa won't clear before May 16 and Gunflint May 17. Lakes to the north of this tower would stay ice covered forever except for the heating effect of the Kawishiwi River which is now already spoiled because of the possibility of underground mining resuming in the area in ten years.

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arctic

04/17/2013 04:43PM

Shagawa: May 14th.
Gunflint: May 20th.

“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” -Edward Abbey

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The Great Outdoors

04/17/2013 05:27PM

quote PINETREE: "Last year we had a problem with a lot of late entries so a deadline date to enter should be established. Like 10 days or less or whatever Great Outdoors and your side-kick Mocha think it should be."

Good idea!
Why don't we make it midnight, April 30th!
No more guesses or changing dates after that.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Miketheflyguy1

04/17/2013 05:50PM

Bothm July 21 st !

Best Fishes !

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shock

04/17/2013 06:08PM

wcco just did a nice report on minnetonka ice out(1996 ice out was april 24th) right now open water around some shoreline w/12"-18" of ice, 1 week ago 18"-24" the earliest ice out was 1878 march 11th the latest was 1858 may 8th.... and park rapids has 30" of ice right now....comparing 1996 to this year the opener off the gunflint will be doubtful, the following weekend should be a killer for lake trout YA BABY ! ely much better chance of open lakes on the 11th, off the gunflint reserve your permits for the 17th we did :>)

keep your line wet, good things will happen

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gymsteele

04/18/2013 07:57AM

Shagawa May 18th
Gunflint May 23rd

He who postpones the hour of living rightly is like the rustic who waits for the river to run out before he crosses. Horace

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mooseplums

04/18/2013 08:04AM

now add an additional 8-10 inches to the mix ....game changer?

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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Stumpy

04/18/2013 01:26PM

Shagawa Lake.......May 24, 2:30 PM
Gunflint Lake......June 1, 2:30 PM

Toss out any guesses that I've made on other threads.

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly

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PINETREE

04/18/2013 01:34PM

quote Stumpy: "Shagawa Lake.......May 24, 2:30 PM
Gunflint Lake......June 1, 2:30 PM

Toss out any guesses that I've made on other threads."

Well I guess if your right I better cancel my permit for up the Gunflint I have for the end of May. We all know Stumpy is always right on.

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BWPaddler

04/18/2013 01:41PM

Shagawa May 17, 2:15pm
Gunflint May 26, 4pm

Snowing hard in the cities right now. Grass was clear yesterday and it rained all night. Go figure.

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

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fitgers1

04/18/2013 02:10PM

June 4th.
June 11th.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson...and...“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

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Basspro69

04/18/2013 02:38PM

quote shock: "wcco just did a nice report on minnetonka ice out(1996 ice out was april 24th) right now open water around some shoreline w/12"-18" of ice, 1 week ago 18"-24" the earliest ice out was 1878 march 11th the latest was 1858 may 8th.... and park rapids has 30" of ice right now....comparing 1996 to this year the opener off the gunflint will be doubtful, the following weekend should be a killer for lake trout YA BABY ! ely much better chance of open lakes on the 11th, off the gunflint reserve your permits for the 17th we did :>)"

Cross your fingers and pray for the 17th, that might even be optimistic.

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein. WWJD

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bassnut

04/18/2013 02:52PM

May 10 for Moss-Duncan.....i hope

"Blessed are the cracked because they let in light."

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Surge

04/18/2013 02:58PM

As lon as it's before June 7th I'm OK

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Savage Voyageur

04/18/2013 03:02PM

Shagawa, May 16
Gunflint, May 21

"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD

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PINETREE

04/18/2013 03:42PM

quote bassnut: "May 10 for Moss-Duncan.....i hope"

Last year 2012 I was fishing lake trout on Moss on March 29th before season closed. About half the lake had floating ice and we trolled around it. Lakes like West Bearskin were still solid ice than.

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PINETREE

04/18/2013 03:44PM

quote burntsider: "Given the shade from the new monster bird-slaughtering cell tower on the Fernberg, I'd have to guess Shagawa won't clear before May 16 and Gunflint May 17. Lakes to the north of this tower would stay ice covered forever except for the heating effect of the Kawishiwi River which is now already spoiled because of the possibility of underground mining resuming in the area in ten years."

One thing your consistent with your opinions.

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greenydd

04/18/2013 05:36PM

what makes the ice out later on the gunflint than in ely?

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PINETREE

04/18/2013 05:39PM

quote greenydd: "what makes the ice out later on the gunflint than in ely? "

Some of that is more deeper lakes on average up the Gunflint, which ice usually goes out a little later, usually a little more snow cover for a longer time so it might be a few degrees cooler longer, and does lake Superior make a difference in the spring and keep it cooler?

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trailrat

04/18/2013 05:51PM

June 9th for both. It's almost a whiteout on Gunflint Lake right now. No end in sight.

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The Great Outdoors

04/18/2013 06:48PM

quote greenydd: "what makes the ice out later on the gunflint than in ely? "

Shagawa Lake is a smaller than Gunflint Lake, so it will be ice free earlier (or should be).
We just picked two lakes, one on each end of the Bdub.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Stumpy

04/18/2013 08:20PM

quote PINETREE: "
quote Stumpy: "Shagawa Lake.......May 24, 2:30 PM
Gunflint Lake......June 1, 2:30 PM

Toss out any guesses that I've made on other threads."

Well I guess if your right I better cancel my permit for up the Gunflint I have for the end of May. We all know Stumpy is always right on."

I won't be right...I just wanted to pick a June date.

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly

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Chilly

04/18/2013 11:22PM

Going with my favorite day of the year for Shagawa: May 20th

and May 25th for the lost Gunflint lake.

"Now days these kids take out everything: radar, sonar, electric toothbrushs" Quint

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WhiteWolf

04/18/2013 11:42PM

quote PINETREE: "
quote greenydd: "what makes the ice out later on the gunflint than in ely? "

Some of that is more deeper lakes on average up the Gunflint, which ice usually goes out a little later, usually a little more snow cover for a longer time so it might be a few degrees cooler longer, and does lake Superior make a difference in the spring and keep it cooler?"

Overall -- the climate gets cooler the further E you go into the Arrowhead-- LAke Superior. Now-- not the extremes that I-FAlls get but the coldest avg yearly temperature I BELIEVE is at Gunflint Lake or Pigeon River. Avg spring temps are noticeable cooler in GM (use Cook CTY Airport) then I-FALLS.

The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.

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Wallidave

04/19/2013 02:00PM

June 1, 2014 !

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waterdog

04/19/2013 03:22PM

Shag May 31
Gunflint June 7

"That'll do, Pig." Farmer Hoggett

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arctic

04/19/2013 05:29PM

Three factors cause later ice-out dates in the eastern BWCA:

1. Proximity to the heat-sink effect of Lake Superior, which delays warm-up.
2. Greater snowfall/snow depth in spring (reflects more sunlight, keeps ice insulated)
3. Higher elevation above sea-level (a small influence)

“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” -Edward Abbey

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old_salt

04/19/2013 11:25PM

Both lakes: July 1. What do I win?

Livin' the dream. Just another day in Paradise...

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halvorsonchristopher1

04/19/2013 11:48PM

Shagawa: May 19th
Gunflint: May 26th

I have never paddled on a lake with floating ice. Can this be considered dangerous?

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mooseplums

04/20/2013 09:37AM

quote halvorsonchristopher1: "Shagawa: May 19th
Gunflint: May 26th

I have never paddled on a lake with floating ice. Can this be considered dangerous?

"

"ICE BERG RIGHT AHEAD"

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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halvorsonchristopher1

04/20/2013 01:16PM

quote mooseplums: "
quote halvorsonchristopher1:
I have never paddled on a lake with floating ice. Can this be considered dangerous?

"

"ICE BERG RIGHT AHEAD""

Solid Reference. But, is that a fair comparision?
If it is, Why would anyone want to paddle through a mine field?

Who has/will paddle through a ice debris filled lake?

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shock

04/20/2013 01:41PM

quote halvorsonchristopher1: "Shagawa: May 19th
Gunflint: May 26th

I have never paddled on a lake with floating ice. Can this be considered dangerous?

"

i also posted this pic on another ice out thread. may 9th 1992 from the rog portage looking into seagull, archives said ice when out may 8th we made it from end to end but it took some doing, we paddled through slushy's ,little chunks that sounded like wind chimes and had to break ice along an island to make it to the next open section but i'm sure if you got caught between 2 large ice flows and the wind picked up in an unfavorable direction it could be trouble.(every lake was open after that)

keep your line wet, good things will happen

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bojibob

04/20/2013 02:44PM

quote mooseplums: "
quote halvorsonchristopher1: "Shagawa: May 19th
Gunflint: May 26th

I have never paddled on a lake with floating ice. Can this be considered dangerous?

"

"ICE BERG RIGHT AHEAD""

"One inch on the map ~ is not one inch on the ground"

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The Great Outdoors

04/20/2013 05:03PM

quote halvorsonchristopher1: "Shagawa: May 19th
Gunflint: May 26th

I have never paddled on a lake with floating ice. Can this be considered dangerous?

"

No problem, just don't paddle after dark! :)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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halvorsonchristopher1

04/21/2013 01:51AM

quote The Great Outdoors: "
quote halvorsonchristopher1:
I have never paddled on a lake with floating ice. Can this be considered dangerous?

"

No problem, just don't paddle after dark! :)"

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear.

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MrBreeze

04/21/2013 10:22PM

Gonna be in 80 here this week.

Shagawa May 10th
Gunflint May 14th

I am an optimist.

I wish I were, I wish I might, I wish I was in the BWCA tonite!

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rever

04/23/2013 10:32AM

There is a period of warm southerly winds coming.
May 11 for Shag and May 14 for Gunflint. If I am wrong it will be four days more May 15 and May 18.

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greenydd

04/23/2013 10:37AM

if gunflint lake opens up by may 14th, i will be happy cuz that means the smaller lakes we are going in on will be open before that! :o)

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tumblehome

04/23/2013 10:49AM

So you guys are saying that three feet of ice and three feet of snow on top of the ice will all be melted in three weeks. Do you know how crazy that sounds?

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greenydd

04/23/2013 10:51AM

miracles happen every day. :o) besides there's only 20 inches on my lake. :o) i'm not giving up quite yet...

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shock

04/23/2013 04:25PM

i see we have 4 or 5 ice out threads going, i'm going to put a positive spin on this thread.?. in early may it can be warmer in the bw than in the cities i've experience a couple openers where it was 90 in the BW and 70's in the cities.i highly doubt open water on the opener(maybe some lakes in the ely area). but i think it can happen the next week sometime by may 17th. with the size and layout of gunflint lake add 7 days? compared to other lakes in that area. i'm liking friday may 17th for seagull/sag to be wide open. and 3 days in a row of above 32* with sun can knock down 3 feet of snow in a hurry. and the days are getting longer. YEH ! ;>)

keep your line wet, good things will happen

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rever

04/23/2013 08:06PM

It is going to happen, they are gassing up the solar snow plow today. What date should we pick as the peak of the black fly season?

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Mocha

04/24/2013 05:09PM

so, here is an update on ice depth...

as of Tuesday evening april 23:
20 feet off the gunflint lake boat access: 36 inches of ice and about 2 feet of snow on top of the ice.
this test was done by the volunteer fire department so i'd say it's accurate.

today it was 40 degrees, chilly wind. and it's supposed to snow again tonight. so there you have it!

this is the lake that is used to paddle to entry 57 Magnetic lake (granite river route) and 58 South lake.

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PINETREE

04/24/2013 05:18PM

quote Mocha: "so, here is an update on ice depth...

as of Tuesday evening april 23:
20 feet off the gunflint lake boat access: 36 inches of ice and about 2 feet of snow on top of the ice.
this test was done by the volunteer fire department so i'd say it's accurate.

today it was 40 degrees, chilly wind. and it's supposed to snow again tonight. so there you have it!"

Thanks for update.
Mille lacs area talking a high of 77 degrees Monday and a low of 53 degrees. That will create puddles.

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marsonite

04/24/2013 09:25PM

I say we are in uncharted territory here. Past years are no guide.

We have record snow in April, and the melt hasn't even really started. But, we have very warm temps coming at us, combined with long days, and high sun angle. The snow we have is for the most part quite fresh and will melt quickly, adding tons of water to the lakes.

My prediction, based on nothing more than wishful thinking, is that the melt will be shockingly fast. Open water in most places by May 12 (Shagawa too, and the big cold Arrowhead lakes like Gunflint maybe a week later (May 19).

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Mocha

05/01/2013 02:40PM

not for the contest:
i'm thinking may 16 for Gunflint and May 13 for Shagawa

North Brule river along the gunflint trail, same vantage point

april 20, 2013

april 27, 2013

may 1, 2013

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The Great Outdoors

05/01/2013 07:42PM

quote Mocha: "not for the contest:
i'm thinking may 16 for Gunflint and May 13 for Shagawa
"

Sheryl,
The deadline for the guessing was midnight, April 30th.
However, since the judges like you, we will allow the guess! :)
All other guesses are officially sealed!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Mocha

05/02/2013 05:35PM

the photos I posted above are of the North Brule river along the gunflint trail. Justine Kerfoot used to say that once the north brule was open then gunflint lake would open 2 weeks later.
we'll see......

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schweady

05/02/2013 08:48PM

Lovely work, Mocha. Thanks for the timeline.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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Basspro69

05/02/2013 09:06PM

quote Mocha: "not for the contest:
i'm thinking may 16 for Gunflint and May 13 for Shagawa

North Brule river along the gunflint trail, same vantage point
april 20, 2013

april 27, 2013

may 1, 2013"

Nice Pictures Thanks Sheryl.

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein. WWJD

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gutmon

05/07/2013 08:07AM

bump

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BWPaddler

05/07/2013 12:45PM

Anyone got an update or more pics? Sheryl that river ice disappeared in a blink it seems! Wow.

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

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The Great Outdoors

05/07/2013 10:14PM

Almost every lake in the Ely area is locked up with ice, and I don't expect even the small ones to be open this weekend unless they have water flowing into them.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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greenydd

05/07/2013 10:18PM

i dont know...this is birch lake today...there is still hope! :o)

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Mocha

05/08/2013 06:11AM

gunflint lake may 7, 2013

gunflint and magnetic lakes may 7, 2013

cross river flowing into Ham lake may 7, 2013

Ham lake ice may 7,2013

snow on trail on the way in. may 7, 2013

spruce grouse momma

spruce grouse daddy

there was still quite a bit of ice on Ham lake, several mallards and 1 LOON!!! the more shaded areas still had plenty of snow, ankle deep and real sugary, but otherwise there was no snow.
lots of scat from wolves, rabbits, grouse; tracks from moose, wolves, fox.

the forecast is for snow/rain mix Friday and Saturday. that precip, combined with some wind would work magic on the ice. it's 41 already this morning.

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nctry

05/08/2013 06:17AM

Our lake here in Northern Minnesota is opening up fast. I was awaken to the call of the loon all excited to be "home". Our normal ice out date is around the 20th of April, so less than 20 days late this year. It just seems so late because it's been over 30 days early a few years.

Nctry

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greenydd

05/08/2013 06:51AM

GREAT pictures mocha!! thanx for sharing them.

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Grandma L

05/08/2013 06:20PM

I keep watching the webcams in hopes of open water.

Moose Lake Web cam

Shagawa Web cam

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kanoes

05/08/2013 06:42PM

never?

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Basspro69

05/08/2013 06:49PM

quote Mocha: " gunflint lake may 7, 2013

gunflint and magnetic lakes may 7, 2013

cross river flowing into Ham lake may 7, 2013

Ham lake ice may 7,2013

snow on trail on the way in. may 7, 2013

spruce grouse momma

spruce grouse daddy

there was still quite a bit of ice on Ham lake, several mallards and 1 LOON!!! the more shaded areas still had plenty of snow, ankle deep and real sugary, but otherwise there was no snow.
lots of scat from wolves, rabbits, grouse; tracks from moose, wolves, fox.

the forecast is for snow/rain mix Friday and Saturday. that precip, combined with some wind would work magic on the ice. it's 41 already this morning. "

That second picture down is Spectacular.

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein. WWJD

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rever

05/09/2013 03:32AM

This late ice out thing, thanks to the wonderful pics, just got cool.

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greenydd

05/09/2013 09:24AM

i just checked the sawbill site. ice went from 23 inches yesterday to 19 today!!! :o)

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PINETREE

05/09/2013 09:33AM

quote Mocha: " gunflint lake may 7, 2013

gunflint and magnetic lakes may 7, 2013

cross river flowing into Ham lake may 7, 2013

Ham lake ice may 7,2013

snow on trail on the way in. may 7, 2013

spruce grouse momma

spruce grouse daddy

there was still quite a bit of ice on Ham lake, several mallards and 1 LOON!!! the more shaded areas still had plenty of snow, ankle deep and real sugary, but otherwise there was no snow.
lots of scat from wolves, rabbits, grouse; tracks from moose, wolves, fox.

the forecast is for snow/rain mix Friday and Saturday. that precip, combined with some wind would work magic on the ice. it's 41 already this morning. "

I look at those photo's and I get jealous and am not ashamed of it. Looks and sounds like beauty,peace,clean air and the sound of silence,except for nature.

Reason I brought it up I was in the woods this morning 0.25 to 0.5 miles from a major highway close to where I live. Here I am back in the woods,suppose to be quite and all I hear is car and truck noise and can smell exhaust fumes 0.5 miles away. We don't have the clean air smell we use to have.

Mocha you got all the good things up there.

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BWPaddler

05/09/2013 12:41PM

Thanks for the cool pics! Come on sun!

Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe. -Thoreau

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greenydd

05/09/2013 02:10PM

seagull cam on may 7th and today

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mooseplums

05/09/2013 02:45PM

that is a very small bay...I wonder what the rest of the lake looks like?

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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greenydd

05/09/2013 02:51PM

im sure its all ice but looking at this at least makes me feel good. :o)

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Ragged

05/09/2013 03:01PM

14" @ Sawbill today, down from 19" Yesterday and 23" 2 days ago

He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:2/3

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Zulu

05/09/2013 03:43PM

The Sea Gull River was opening up nicely on Tuesday afternoon but Sea Gull Lake was still frozen to the shore and islands. There was just a few feet of open water at the Public landing near SeaGull Outfitters and the edge of the ice looked about one foot thick.

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PINETREE

05/09/2013 04:49PM

There is hope:

Sawbill Newsletter

5/9/13 - Big progress! Today's Sawbill Lake ice report: 14".

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Zulu

05/11/2013 07:52PM

The ice on Shagawa as it appeared at 3:00pm on May 11.

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PINETREE

05/11/2013 09:18PM

quote Zulu: "

The ice on Shagawa as it appeared at 3:00pm on May 11."

Still in the running,I guessed May 13th for Shagawa.

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The Great Outdoors

05/11/2013 09:20PM

That would mean ice out this Monday!
Ain't lookin' good!
You're close, but that won't count.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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PINETREE

05/11/2013 09:30PM

quote The Great Outdoors: "That would mean ice out this Monday!
Ain't lookin' good!
You're close, but that won't count."

I got to midnight Monday. Yeh, I see it might get down to 21 degrees tonight. That won't help.

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greenydd

05/12/2013 12:03AM

ZULU those pictures are beautiful! (even with the ice!) ;o)

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The Great Outdoors

05/12/2013 07:02PM

quote PINETREE: "
quote The Great Outdoors: "That would mean ice out this Monday!
Ain't lookin' good!
You're close, but that won't count."

I got to midnight Monday. Yeh, I see it might get down to 21 degrees tonight. That won't help."

The bad news for you is, that TGO (the Judge Judy of ice out)hits the rack way earlier than that, so anything after 6 pm is considered the next day! :)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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pswith5

05/12/2013 07:49PM

Is it too late to make a guess?? :)

Without the bad times, the good times wouldn't seem so good.

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PINETREE

05/12/2013 08:08PM

quote pswith5: "Is it too late to make a guess?? :)"

Wait a couple of days than you can guess.

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hobbydog

05/12/2013 08:58PM

With the clear skies a pretty good Satellite picture from today. It looks lie everything west of Sag is pretty much open.

Modis Image

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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PINETREE

05/14/2013 08:39AM

Well will Shagawa be ice free today?
TGO are you getting any reports from other lakes in the area opening?
I am waiting? Going to get my canoe ready and hope to head up very soon.

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Grandma L

05/14/2013 11:11AM

Watch the web cams - fun to watch the ice go!
Shagawa from the Grand Ely Lodge

Moose Lake Web cam

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PINETREE

05/14/2013 05:20PM

Shagawa ice free?

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inspector13

05/14/2013 05:44PM

I see a boat traveling in front of the camera at 5:44pm.

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PINETREE

05/14/2013 06:02PM

Noticed one on Moose lake also on web camera.

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arctic

05/14/2013 06:15PM

Looks like my ice-out prediction for Shagawa was dead-on. How do I collect my check?

“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” -Edward Abbey

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PINETREE

05/14/2013 06:43PM

quote arctic: "Looks like my ice-out prediction for Shagawa was dead-on. How do I collect my check?"

For us Old Timers:
Yogi Berra says the game isn't over to it over.

Don't count your chickens until they hatch.

Your only half right so far. Your estimate for Gunflint lake was?

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Grandma L

05/14/2013 08:38PM

Yeah, the web cam shows Gunflint still having a fair amount of ice.

Gunflint Web Cams

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arctic

05/14/2013 09:21PM

quote PINETREE: "
quote arctic: "Looks like my ice-out prediction for Shagawa was dead-on. How do I collect my check?"

For us Old Timers:
Yogi Berra says the game isn't over to it over.

Don't count your chickens until they hatch.

Your only half right so far. Your estimate for Gunflint lake was?"

I listed Gunflint Lake's ice-out as 20 May, so I'm still in the running for that one!

“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” -Edward Abbey

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The Great Outdoors

05/14/2013 09:44PM

quote PINETREE: "Shagawa ice free?"

It wasn't as of 3 this afternoon as a surprisingly large sheet of ice still existed on about 1/4th of the lake.
There were boats on it the last two days where the ice was out.
Should be ice free sometime tomorrow.
I'll check it before 7 am, then at noon to see what's happening.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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The Great Outdoors

05/14/2013 09:49PM

quote arctic: "Looks like my ice-out prediction for Shagawa was dead-on. How do I collect my check?"

Sorry, close but no cigar! :)
Read the previous post.
I never thought it would make it through the day with the wind and heat we had.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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nojobro

05/14/2013 11:49PM

Nice view of the moon on the Shagawa webcam right now. :)

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Mocha

05/15/2013 05:15AM

at the narrows of gunflint and magnetic lakes looking south.

Gallagher's Island. still pretty thick ice in the main part of the lake. have to cross gunflint and magnetic to get to the granite river entry 57.

looking east down gunflint lake

gunflint lake from the narrows, looking southeast-ish.

gunflint lake this morning

it was very windy overnight, I thought for sure the lake would be free of ice this morning, but nope! looks like it hardly moved. it's going to be sunny and warm today, we're in a Red Flag warning in terms of wind (erratic and gusty) and the opportunity for fire to spread quickly.

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QueticoMike

05/15/2013 05:50AM

quote Mocha: " at the narrows of gunflint and magnetic lakes looking south.

Gallagher's Island. still pretty thick ice in the main part of the lake. have to cross gunflint and magnetic to get to the granite river entry 57.

looking east down gunflint lake

Thanks for the update Mocha! That wind and the warm temps should get it done today I would hope.

gunflint lake from the narrows, looking southeast-ish.

it was very windy overnight, I thought for sure the lake would be free of ice this morning, but nope! looks like it hardly moved. it's going to be sunny and warm today, we're in a Red Flag warning in terms of wind (erratic and gusty) and the opportunity for fire to spread quickly."

I can be followed on Instagram @queticomike

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The Great Outdoors

05/15/2013 01:42PM

quote arctic: "Looks like my ice-out prediction for Shagawa was dead-on. How do I collect my check?"

Your prediction was right on the money.
Checked with my sources that spoke on condition of anonymity, and Shagawa Lake was ice free about 6-7 pm yesterday evening, after the big gusting wind attack that lasted about a half hour came through!
So congratulations PINETREE, your winning prize of absolutely nothing is in the mail!!
However, you must divide it into thirds and share it with Speckled and Arctic who also predicted May 14th.
YAHOOOOOOOOO!!! :)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Outdoors-Bait-Tackle/1606420532911075?skip_nax_wizard=true

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Mocha

05/15/2013 08:16PM

just this evening

the wind has been working hard today trying to break up the ice. there is a lot of open water on the Canadian side all along the north shore. the wind pushed it over to the MN side. no rain in site and it's supposed to be warm and sunny again tomorrow.

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BananaHammock