2026 Platte Lake Ice Out Prediction (3/8/26)

 

I have been poring over my records here at Bass Pundit, trying to get a grasp of where we are compared to past Aprils, and tracking the forecast for where things are going weather-wise. I have concluded that the cooler weather ahead for later this week will bring things in line with where they were last year, so I'm going with last year's prediction of April 7th for a second year in a row.

April 7th, It Is!

Last year, I mistakenly called Ice Out on April 5th, as 95% of the lake was ice-free, but ice in the North Bay held on until the 9th.

The forecast isn't ideal, but it isn't terrible either. There is a lot of bare ground now. Forecasting has been on the erratic side lately, as March is prone to do. I think I could catch a bullhead any day now at the Grumpy Old Man Hole. I won't be surprised if red-wings show up today.