Everything this past week came as rain here. Or if it was snow, it melted immediately. We've had a number of warm days (and a couple VERY warm days) that warmed the surface of the ground up significantly. Any snow that falls moving forward here will likely continue to just melt upon contact with the ground now.

Lake of the Woods still has about 2 feet of ice underneath whatever amount of snow that is on top. It may not be open water by May 9 at this rate.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

All gone, even in the shaded area of my front yard that's always the last to lose snow.

All are snow was gone before yesterday. I’m talking about what we’ve got in the last 24 hours. Up to about 2 feet now.

All we're getting is occasional flurries that melt as soon as they hit the ground.

@10,000 lakes Bassin We were at bare ground (except for some heavily shaded areas) and now have somewhere between 6 and 8 inches - a very heavy/wet snow - I cleared the driveway twice to try and stay a bit ahead of it as it is such heavy snow - you certainly must be in the heart of the storm as 2 feet is a big dump of snow (especially heavy/wet snow) - be safe if you are shoveling/clearing the snow

When out today for a few hours on Lotus lake. The water temperature was 46.5 to 47.5. Ended up catching 3 large mouth. 2 we’re about 16 inch long and the third was 19 inches.

I left when the wind and rain started.

A strange weather day here -- big winds, strong sun (sun was bright at sun rise and all day long), but temps only about 30 degrees -- but that combo was enough to melt snow and create enough waves to break up all the remaining ice -- I don't think it's "ice out" yet on the big lake as you can see that there is some ice under the water when the waves rise and fall -- but the smaller lakes look ice free -- and if the days stay like this it would seem "ice out" will happen this week (I had predicted April 18) -- but it's Spring in MN, so anything can happen !

If I recall correctly, @BassinBrett was the last person to post a bass here last fall before ice in, and it looks like he's the first one to post a bass this spring after ice out.

I might be able to get out a day this weekend if the weather cooperates.

4 minutes ago, gim said:

I might be able to get out a day this weekend if the weather cooperates.

I might hit one of my shore spots Friday after my oncology appointment.

Got out in the wind today. 42F water temps and tough fishing. Got a couple 2# fish in the boat and one decent pike. Had a giant on under a tree but she wrapped me up and broke me off.

All fish were caught on jerkbaits and hair jigs. Big gal was on a micro jig.

Wandered down to the local big lake today - then drove around to the ramps - looks like full "ice out" has been achieved - no boats that I could see and no trucks/trailers at any of the ramps - but the temp was mid 20's when I was there - with temps climbing into the low 50's today and maybe 70 tomorrow my guess is people will be out on the lake (although the forecast calls for strong winds/rain/some storms) - I will take the car out of the garage and back the boat in deep enough that I can be sheltered from the wind/rain to put in a new starter/starter solenoid and a new exhaust manifold gasket - and then possibly take the boat on the water Sunday to make sure everything is operating properly (and maybe throw a lure or two around for a bit) - then plan to go out next weekend (April 18/19)

I'm planning to go tomorrow afternoon. The temps look unseasonably warm for one day.

First goal is to make sure everything is running properly - outboard, lights, graphs, pumps, bow mount, etc. Second goal is to do some fishing, third goal is to catch a legal bass (12+ inches), which would officially be the earliest legal bass I have ever caught here in this state.

I will report back with an update on water temps, etc. I drove past the lake I intend to launch at tomorrow this morning and the dock was in. Zero boats on the lake and zero in the lot.

Here’s to hoping that zero is the number tomorrow also! Good luck on the shakedown.

7 hours ago, gim said:

I'm planning to go tomorrow afternoon. The temps look unseasonably warm for one day.

First goal is to make sure everything is running properly - outboard, lights, graphs, pumps, bow mount, etc. Second goal is to do some fishing, third goal is to catch a legal bass (12+ inches), which would officially be the earliest legal bass I have ever caught here in this state.

I will report back with an update on water temps, etc. I drove past the lake I intend to launch at tomorrow this morning and the dock was in. Zero boats on the lake and zero in the lot.

Go, Gim, go!

Well I went out with my son for about 2+ hours around 10:30am. The good news is that everything in my boat seems to functioning as it should. Bad news is that I fished for about 90 minutes and it wasn't very productive. I only caught 3 bass. They were all 12+ inches and one was pretty solid, an 18.5 incher (that was the first one caught). Each fish was on a jerk bait in bluegill color. I also tried a slow crawled bladed jig, a ned rig, and a DT6 - none of those produced any bites. Water temp was 45-46 degrees.

I can officially say it's the earliest legal bass I've ever caught living here. There will be better days ahead.

Got out for a couple today. Water temp was 49-52F. Fish were dirt shallow and quite a bit more aggressive than my last outing. Caught quite a few 14-16" and one chunky 18" fish. Pike were very active in the warmest water. Lost one of my favorite jerkbaits and one of my favorite crankbaits to the buggers. Part of the game in MN!

Roller coaster weather --- 70 today - 30 and snow tomorrow - 40 big wind/rain Saturday - 40 sunny Sunday -

Not up for slogging around in the 40's/wind/rain on Saturday so I will look to take my first 2026 voyage on Sunday -- not sure the water will be warm enough to allow for catching anything, but I will give it as go since my last day on the water was November 2nd, 2025 (so it would be a 168 day gap between tips out on the boat)

Yeah I've been a bit irritated that the low points in this rollercoaster weather have been hitting on the weekends.

I'll be checking out some new waters this weekend.

Geez, I think the lakes might re-freeze again tonight lol

They're talking lows around 20 degrees tonight

Yes @gim - the temps have dropped again - 24 and snowing here (Sunday morning) - it has been below 32 each of the last three nights - I was planning on putting the boat on the water today for a test run but now might just back the boat in and start the motor with it still on the trailer and just let it run for a bit - and to think in a few days it's going to be 80 degrees (it looks like for the next 10 days or so the temps will continue to roller coast up and down, accompanied by big wind) - it's MN, it's Spring, it is what it is

Made it out yesterday, and it was tough fishing. Only managed one.

Got out today. 55F water temp. Fish were not very active but I managed a few. Could see decent sized fish up shallow but couldn't get very many to eat. Threw the kitchen sink at em. Dropshot got the biggest fish today at 17".

Ended up keeping the boat on the trailer and just backing in at the ramp -- with the new starter/starter solenoid the motor cranked over on the third try - some billowing smoke to start with (it's a 1993 Evinrude 2-Stroke) from the residual fogging oil - but otherwise idled well and ran smooth - finished gearing the boat up yesterday after work (safety gear/life jackets/tool kit/paddle/net/rod holders/ect...) - so it is now staged and ready to go for Saturday - if our roller coaster weather cooperates - we had 30's on M/T - today (W) it's 90 with 45mph winds - then the temps will drop hard again for Th/F - hoping for reasonable (50's) temps and low wind (anything under 20mph) on Saturday - I will also try to get out on Sunday if possible - looking at the success @Adrift (drop shot) and @gim (jerk bait) have had I will look to tie on those rigs - anything else I should try ?

I always have a spinnerbait tied on in the spring. A couple of years ago I caught so many on the spinnerbait that I got tennis elbow.

These weather swings are nuts. It goes from 20 degrees and a layer of fresh snow to 90 degrees a few days later.

Some stable weather would certainly help.

Since you've had open water now for a while, and you've also been enjoying the winter/summer roller coaster that is always part of it.

I would like to officially welcome my Minnesota basshead friends to the wonderful world of trying to Bass fish up north in April.

So are you fishing in a snowmobile suit or a swim suit ?

Good times.

A-Jay