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Got
Spring fever? Eager to test your
paddle in the North woods? Many people ask
about Spring trips into the BWCA. Spring
trips can be wonderful, but the timing can be
tricky. When will the ice go out?
The average ice out in the BWCA is in the end of
April.
A few benefits of Spring trips
into the BWCA, include:
-
Permits, for dates prior to May 1, are
free and can be filled out at your outfitter
or entry point.
-
Even though there are not
restrictions on the number of permits
for dates
prior to May 1, the lakes are very quiet and
have very few visitors.
-
Make an early trip and avoid
the flies and mosquitoes!
-
Benefit from the natural air
conditioning of the cool days, and cuddle up
by your campfire during the brisk evenings.
-
Many outfitters and resorts
have Spring specials!
Due to the challenge of not
knowing when ice will be out, many opt for
planning day canoe or hiking trips, while
staying at a resort
or campground.
Read more about Spring ice out trips here.
Cast your vote on when you think the ice will go
out!
| Lake
Name |
County |
Average
Ice-Out
|
Earliest
Ice-Out
|
Latest
Ice-Out
|
Years
of Data
|
| Fall |
Lake |
April
28
|
April
10, 1945
|
May
19, 1950
|
51 |
| Gunflint |
Cook |
May
7
|
April
15, 1976
|
May
26, 1966
|
30 |
| Island |
St.
Louis |
April
25
|
April
5, 2000
|
May
8, 1996
|
11 |
| Mitawan |
Lake |
May
1
|
April
18, 1955
|
May
20, 1950
|
21 |
| Vermilion |
St.
Louis |
April
30
|
April
10, 1945
|
May
23, 1950
|
70 |
| Shagawa
Lake |
St.
Louis |
April
27
|
April
14, 1998
|
May
16, 1996
|
37 |
| Burntside |
St.
Louis |
April
29 |
April
16, 1987 |
May
16, 1996 |
32 |
--Data
courtesy Minnesota Climatology Group,
Burntside data courtesy Mark Cherne
|
