Ice melts in NE Minn. just in time for fishing opener

The last ice is slowly receding from northeast Minnesota lakes, just in time for the walleye fishing opener.

Most lakes are ice free south of a line from roughly Bemidji to Grand Rapids to Duluth, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Last year the ice didn't break free from Lake Winnibigoshish, a big walleye lake outside Grand Rapids, until four days after the opener. This year, the ice is clearing in the nick of time, said Gail Heig who owns Bowen Lodge.

"This year is looking really good, we are getting our docks in, and there's a lot of open water on Winnie," she said.

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Farther north there's more ice. Resort owners on Lake Vermillion in far northern Minnesota expect some floating ice this weekend, but say boats will still be able to launch.

Eric Hanson, owner of Pehrson Lodge, said the ice is just starting to break free from the shoreline.

"I'm just standing on my dock, looking at the ice right now," Hanson said. "The ice is moving enough that it's wrecking our dock, so the ice will be going out before too long."

Hanson said there will be enough open water for boats to launch this weekend, but he's still had several canceled reservations. This is the second consecutive spring a late ice-out has threatened the fishing opener in some parts of the state.

Ray Ingebretsen, who owns Aspen Resort on Pelican Lake in Orr, predicts the ice will clear there by Saturday. But he said the uncertainty is keeping anglers away.

"I know after last year having to cancel some people for opener, we don't have anybody coming in for opener this year, they're a little skittish I think," Ingebretsen said.

But the ice is officially out on Gull Lake near Brainerd for Gov. Mark Dayton's fishing opener on Saturday.