Ely area ice conditions!

[greatoutdoors]

With the warm weather we've been having, ice is deteriorating rapidly.  If anyone wants to get some last minute Lake or Stream Trout action in the next week, ATV or foot travel will be your only options.
The ice is still fairly thick (15-20 inches) but holes are appearing near rocky points and shore lines where the sun's heat gets absorbed, and there is water most everywhere.
I do not think that the lakes will last long enough to be safe for the final weekend of the trout season, which is March 31st, but I could be wrong if we get some cold evenings.
I'll be updating the ice conditions every few days, so check before deciding to travel north to fish and be disappointed when arriving.

[greatoutdoors]

Ice travel was good with an ATV, got off Burntside Lake at 1pm.  Temps are near 68 degrees, so the lake surface will settle down a bit more throughout the evening.
Fishing the last two days had spots with 16-17 inches of ice, which is still solid, but would not trust a full size vehicle on it.
Smitty's on Snowbank closed their road, and only allows travel at your own risk.  Lake conditions on Snowbank should be similar to Burntside.
Will update again in another few days.