2018 Ice Out Platte Lake

I was unable to get out to verify it for myself, but Bear Trax Facebook Page reported it.  I will hopefully have the Trophy in the water on Sunday or Monday.  Thanks to Dads help I was able to get my way too complicated trolling motor situation mostly figured out today or so I hope.  We will see how it works once I'm out on the water.

Lake Pepin Declared, Not Much Progress at the GOMH

And so it begins, a lake in MN is declared ice-free.  The snowmelt isn't having much of an effect that can be seen around here yet.

Looks the same as a couple days ago 

Not worried about it as the warm days are set to continue.  I did throw a few casts tonight.  There was one dead sunny floating in the bulrushes.

MN Late Ice Out's Past

Right now the MN Ice Out map is of course completely empty.  Here is what happened in 2014 and 2013. I think at this point we may actually be behind even 2013, but thank God it looks like our fortunes begin to change starting next week.  As of right now, I don't see Platte Lake free in April unfortunately.

2014

2013

Ice and Snow Going Nowhere Fast

GOMH South Side

GOMH North Side

Once the ice melts should be slightly above normal water level

Platte Lake Public Access

I took a trip out to the Grumpy Old Man Hole on the breezy cold evening to see where things are at as far as open water.  It was a little more open than last Friday but not by much.  Two years ago today Platte was open and last year we were getting close.  I would say we are at least 4 weeks away from Platte opening up.  On the first 50 degrees day, I'll probably bring out the long rods.  I think we still may have some snow cover next weekend.  I know I wanted a slow melt, but this has been molasses-like.  No MN lakes open yet.  And no significant warming in the long-term forecast. I'll be able to ice fish in April if I can make myself go and do it.

No MN Lakes Ice Free Yet

They changed up the interface and way it looks over at the DNR's MN ice out tracking page.  No surprise that lakes haven't started opening up yet.  I'm doubtful it will even begin happing by the end of next week.  It's ideal sap collecting weather for the syrup makers though.  Pete's coming up this weekend and we're gonna do some ice fishing after the Classic wraps up on Sunday.

GOMH Today vs. 1 Year Ago

Today

Last Year March 8th

Today

Last Year looking into Platte

Today

I believe last year we had just come off of a record-setting March warm up.  This year it's a winter wonderland.  There was a flock of swans that flew by as I was driving up tonight.  Spring is coming, but slowly.