Spring’s trying, but winter won’t quit: inland BWCAW ice report roundup

Kalli Hawkins | April 22, 2025

Spring may be trying to make its move across northern Minnesota, but inland lakes in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) are holding tight to their winter grip.

With 18 days until the fishing opener on May 10, many eager anglers and BWCAW permit holders are keeping a close eye on inland lake conditions as the 2025 season nears. While some signs of thaw are starting to show, recent ice reports reveal that many areas are still solidly frozen — with reports ranging from 20 to 26 inches as of April 20.

“Lakes across the county are still firmly iced up,” said Trent Anderson, a Tofte-based conservation officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Anderson told WTIP on April 16, “Still have thick ice conditions and haven’t really seen ice recede from the shoreline yet. With that being said, it can all change very quickly.”

While conditions on April 20 hovered in the low 40s throughout Cook County, overnight temperatures dropped and the mid-trail area of the Gunflint Trail received snow overnight and into the morning of April 21.

Below is a WTIP roundup of ice conditions for Gunflint Trail area lakes and BWCAW entry point lakes as of April 20.

Seagull Lake

Ice thickness: 21 inches total with top 3 inches of slushy bad ice

Ice conditions: The ice near the shoreline of the Blankenburg Landing is starting to pull away and recede. Top layer of ice is soft.

Gunflint Lake

Ice conditions: Gunflint Lake is relatively open near the shoreline. WTIP spoke with trout anglers who were fishing on the Canadian side of Gunflint and reported poor sloppy conditions. The anglers said it most likely is the last time taking the snowmobile across the lake. Conditions weren’t feasible or safe to take an ice measurement.

West Bearskin

Ice conditions: Ice is still fairly solid near the shore of the boat landing.

Little Iron Lake

Ice thickness: 20 inches

Ice conditions: There are a few inches of slop on top of the lake. WTIP spoke with bluegill anglers out trying their luck and looking for “something to do” during the transition season until fishing opener on May 10. Anglers reported sloppy conditions on the lake.

Pope Lake

Ice thickness: 24 inches

Ice conditions: There is still a foot of snow along the shoreline creating an enjoyable postholing activity.

Mayhew Lake

Ice thickness: 26 inches

Loon Lake

Ice thickness: 21 inches

Ice conditions: Ice is starting to slowly recede from shoreline near landing. Top couple inches of ice is soft, creating sloppy conditions.

Clearwater Lake

Ice thickness: 24 inches at approximately 30 feet from shore

Ice conditions: There is rotten ice for the first 10 feet from shore near the boat landing. Top layer is pretty slushy.

Poplar Lake

Ice Report: 20 inches as of April 21. WTIP previously measured 22 inches on April 7.

Sawbill Lake

Ice thickness: 26 inches

Ice conditions: The owners of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, Clare and Dan Shirley reported in a April 20 Facebook post that Sawbill Lake has 26 inches of ice. “Measurements about a week ago were 28″, so slow progress is happening,” the Facebook post said.