DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – A prolonged winter in the Lakes Area may cause havoc to Minnesota’s fishing opener.
Last year (2021), ice out on Big Detroit was April 4, that was early compared to most years with the average ice out on the lake occurring April 20.
Forecasters are now predicting that ice out on the lake this year, could go into May due to an unusually cold spring. The last time that occurred was May 12, 2013. With Minnesota’s Fishing opener scheduled for May 14, that has some anglers concerned.
The Minnesota DNR, however says ice on lakes isn’t uncommon for the Fishing Opener. The most dramatic was 1950 with lakes still iced as far south as Osakis and Mille Lacs.
You’ll likely be able to still fish on the opener even if the ice out doesn’t occur by then. You’ll just have to keep an eye out for ice in some areas. The DNR says 30 percent of boating fatalities happen on cold water where the victim is more likely to die by drowning than of hypothermia. Wearing a life jacket, not just bringing it, can save your life.

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