Does any body know when ice out is for Minnesota and what lures should I throw right after ice out 

Minnesota is a big state. Ice out in the southernmost part of the state can be weeks ahead of ice out in Ely. Besides, only Mother Nature knows when the ice is going out.

12 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Besides, only Mother Nature knows when the ice is going out.

And she's not talking right now. Last I heard, even Minnetonka still has 2-feet of ice in places. At the rate it's going, it might be opening weekend or later before I get the canoe in the water.

 

By contrast, average ice-out for 'tonka is April 14 - we're past that already.

I'l be using my auger and some jiggin raps. 

Thanks

Could be that fishing opener gets cancelled for many parts of the state.  That’s twice in 5 years - so much for global warming...

I'm using the extra time to do some used boat shopping...  looking to be dangerous. I think I found my new rig. 

I feel like this discussion happens every year.  The ice will melt fast, sure maybe it's a little behind but I'd say the metro will for sure be ice free for opener.

 

On 4/18/2018 at 7:39 PM, dsidle61 said:

I feel like this discussion happens every year.  The ice will melt fast, sure maybe it's a little behind but I'd say the metro will for sure be ice free for opener.

 

I'm 90 miles due east of TC metro...and the WI opener is a week ahead of the MN opener...but I'd say it's 70/30 against open water for most lakes here on the 5/5/2018 opener at this latitude...

I am predicting that metro lakes will lose their ice in about a week.  Looking at the forecast, it says 65 this weekend, 75 on Monday with a stiff wind, and t-storms on Monday night and Tuesday.  Up north may be a different story.  Generally, lakes in the northern half of the state lose their ice about 2 weeks after the southern portion and metro lakes do.

The Minnesota Bound Crappie contest for Minnetonka has been moved from May 5th to May 19th if that tells you anything!

2 ft. plus near Chetek, WI this weekend.

 

Check that location on a map and make your own decision...