Up here in Ely, spring doesn’t exactly show up with flowers and sunshine. It sort of… creeps in. One grey day at a time. And right now? We’re in that classic late-April limbo:
☑️ The birds are back.
☑️ The snow has mostly melted.
☑️ The sun peeks out occasionally.
❌ But the lake? Still iced in.
We’re getting close though! After a stretch of rain, wind, and just enough warm days, the ice has hit Phase 2: the part where it starts to rot and shift with some more rain and wind — but still hugs the shoreline like a stubborn houseguest who won’t leave.
So what does that mean for MN Fishing Opener in 20 days?
We’re watching closely. If history tells us anything, the ice tends to get dramatic at the very end and disappears fast. Still, it’s not uncommon to have opener right on the edge of full ice-out. Bring your patience (and maybe a few backup lures just in case).
What we can say right now:
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The countdown to May 10 is officially on. 🐟
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We’re thinking about boats, bait, and all the ways line tangles itself over winter.
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And we’re dreaming about those calm, early-season casts when the lake finally opens up.
We’ll keep you posted. Until then:
Still iced in.
Still waiting.
Still dreaming.
(Still checking the forecast five times a day.)