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Steve McComas: Winter conditions set the stage for summer in Minnesota lakes

Winter conditions set the stage for explosive summer curlyleaf growth in 2025 as shown above in East Lake in Dakota County, Minn. Based on early winter conditions so far, indications are for a more subdued curlyleaf growth pattern in the early summer of 2026. (Photo courtesy of Steve McComas)

This year’s early winter conditions lend themselves to a 1930s hardboiled detective type of story.
The first snow came early in Minnesota this year, and I was as surprised as a turtle coming out of hibernation in December. First, lakes sealed up with ice as clear as a picture window, then were slapped with a snowfall depositing a 6-inch-thick white down comforter across the hard lake surface in some places.

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Staff Report January 20, 2026

A look at upcoming outdoors-related events from across Illinois published in the Jan. 23, 2026 edition of Outdoor News.

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