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I was looking at the 2014 Ice out map and it appears that things are at least a week ahead of last year in the mid to southern portion of the state. After looking at the long term forecast in conjunction with the junky ice from early snow cover - no chance in hell there's ice for the opener.

I'm going with Mark B's prediction...1st week in May if not earlier smile

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Have reservations at Bear Head Lake State Park for opener...any chance for open water???

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It's not a very big lake, so you have a decent chance of open water.

But, it will be close.

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It's not a very big lake, so you have a decent chance of open water.

But, it will be close.

I agree!

Cliff

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This mornings report is pretty much what John reported earlier. 4" on top, about 6-7" of water then another 14" or so under it all. It will go faster than usual but then you have to look at the goofy forecast, More snow it looks like. Still guessing we will have water by opener but there will not be many docks in the water.

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Thanks for posting those pics. It gives me hope! What part of the lake is that?

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What the photos don't show is 2 to 5 inches of new snow tonight and lows in the low 20's and high teens, with daytime highs in the low 30's for the next week. The west end of Pike bay could open up in just a few days, but it's a long time from open water in the main lake.

"Ace"

Is the ice gone yet? No dear you can go back to sleep.

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What the photos don't show is 2 to 5 inches of new snow tonight and lows in the low 20's and high teens, with daytime highs in the low 30's for the next week. The west end of Pike bay could open up in just a few days, but it's a long time from open water in the main lake.

Wow, where did you see a forecast like that?

What I see is continued ice melt, albeit slower with cool spring temps forecast. But about 15 degrees warmer than what you've said.

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USMN0736

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NWS has a winter storm warning for areas just east of Tower/Ely!They have the vermilion area in the 2"-5" or 4"-6" range for snow,just depending on location...higher snow totals East a bit lower as you head west!!...As I have stated in previous posts all indices point to a cold signal as we head into late spring early summer!!

Frank

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Well, here in the TC metro, Lake Minnetonka just went out officially. That is 8 days ahead of last years ice out of May 2. Extrapolated to Lake Vermilion, an ice out date 8 days earlier than last year would imply a May 9th ice out date. Who doesn't like the sound of that?

Us 'optimists'...we are the dreamers of dreams!

BrianF

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Based on the current ice conditions and the extended forecast (mid 50's) next week, I am still optimist about opener.

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Well there you have it. Those of us in the southern half of the state are more optimistic than the folks about to get another round of snow. Go figure!

3 days straight of running my wife's hair dryer, pointed north. I just turned it up to HIGH though grin

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She must have more than one?!

Snow wasn't as bad as predicted here. The low temps should be above freezing again by the weekend. A little sun, rain and wind...we got time yet.

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I talked with an acquaintance this evening who has lived in Tower his whole life. He told me that the "Mine pond" ice went out today. Not knowing what that meant, I asked, and he said that for the past 40 years, exactly 9 days after the Mine pond ice goes off, Lake Vermilion is ice free. Now, this is one local belief that I certainly hope holds true...........

Good Fishing,'

MarkB smile

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Its gonna be close. Im thinkin its not gonna happen this yr tho.. more wind and rain might do the trick! All we can do is dump buckets of hot water in the lake and hope for the best!

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Drove up from the TC to our cabin on Niles Bay yesterday. About half the small lakes I passed N of, say, Moose Lake were either out or opening up pretty good. The other half were still locked up solid. I've got about 30 feet of open water in front of my cabin and Niles is getting pretty dark. I'm gonna guess another 10 days till we're ice free?

BrianF

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We had a 2' crack open up just west of us today. I still think that it is going to surprise everyone and be open by this time next week. It would for sure if we would get something other than this continual wet cloudy stuff.

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I just checked ice conditions at HooDoo and McKinley again.

HooDoo is opening up more each day. The Pike Bay narrows is wide open with a lead running out into Big Bay a little. McKinley is open along the shoreline and the ice in Big Bay is looking very black.

Cliff

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I can now see open water between Banana Island and Daisy Island. There is Open water extending from Banana towards Birch Point and open water extending west from Banana Island. The Open water extending from Banana towards Birch Point is following a current line that swings west towards the Marina. Presently the open water lead is open a short way west of my docks.

It won't be long now. Casey's soothsayer reputation should be secure wink

Good Fishing,

MarkB smile

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Plenty of us "southerners" lurking in on this thread and pullin for y'all ...

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NICE! Thanks for the reports Cliff and Mark. I just looked at the webcams and it seems like an open-water opener is promising.

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JKrash,

Any updated pictures?

Looks like about 6"-12" of slush on the water around here, if we have a big blow like last week the lake would open up quick. Some sun and more rain will open things up through the narrows for sure by next weekend.

full-179-45301-ice.jpg

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It's been pouring cats and dogs all day, please be positive! It's going to happen I think.. Mark I have no boat, how much a day to fish with you?

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