Ely Lakes Ice status for opening weekend!

[greatoutdoors]

Many of the lakes in the Ely area are still covered with ice to some degree.
Large lakes like Burntside and Snowbank are locked in, as is Moose Lake that leads to Basswood.
Smaller lakes, and others  with strong current such as Garden, Farm, and White Iron should be pretty much open by Thursday.  Shagawa Lake next to Ely is still locked in, with the exception of Olson's Bay and the bay where Burntside River flows into Shagawa. Make sure you call any resort you are intending at staying at,  bait shops, or the Forest Service to get a current ice report.  I'd hate to see anyone drive 100-200 miles just to spend the day looking at a frozen lake.
The status of live bait (leeches and minnows) is very much in question, so call shops in the area you intend to fish and ask about their supply.

[greatoutdoors]

Current Ice Conditions: Remember, ice is never completely safe and now is a particularly dangerous time.


Also, ice packs shift with winds so the exact location of an ice pack may change quickly.
From FS pilots--a seeding mission was flown today and this is the pilot’s report:


 There is very little open water right now.
 If we get a break in the weather, conditions may change very quickly—even as soon as this weekend.
 Where there is current, ice is breaking up.
 Much of Fall Lake is open and some portions of Pipestone Bay are open.
 Smaller lakes and ponds are dark and are starting to break up.
 Portions of Birch Lake are beginning to open up.
 Most lakes east of Insula are pretty solidly ice-covered still.
 The Little Indian Sioux and Nina Moose (aka Moose/Portage Rivers) Rivers are open but the lakes are
mostly still frozen.
Reports from others:
 Much of the eastern end of Fall Lake is open.
 The southern tip of Pipestone Bay was open to just north of Wegens Point two days ago.
 The road into Mudro Lake is in very bad condition. Low clearance vehicles and two wheel drive
vehicles will probably not make it.