Outdoor News Lake Mille Lacs Ice Out Winner Announced

Ice-out for Mille Lacs Lake officially occurred this past
Sunday, May 1st, early in the morning according to the Mille Lacs
Lake Messenger and the Minnesota Climatology Group. The $250
Outdoor News Ice-Out Promotion winner is Steve Lawrence of Aitkin
who correctly guessed Sunday morning’s ice-out at 6am.

March 2011 was below normal and a deep snow pack caused lakes to
melt slowly across the state. Warm weather was the rule from April
8 to the 13th with many lakes losing their ice cover over southern
and parts of central Minnesota. Very strong east winds on April 15
continued to erode at the ice pack covering lakes in central
Minnesota. Ice is shifting with the wind on some lakes as well
including Mille Lacs.

The cold and snowy weather from April 14th to April 20 has
slowed, but not halted ice out. As of April 20th, most lakes are
ice free south of I-94, with a few exceptions. Ice out progress is
now about a week behind long term averages.

Average  Ice-Out – April 24

Earliest Ice-Out – April 2, 2000

Latest Ice-Out – May 7, 1965

Years of Data – 54