Could We Set A Record For Latest Ice Out Ever? Stats Say We Might

Temperatures are warming up finally, but it's still going to take some time to melt all of that ice. Updates have shown that there is still well over 2 feet of ice on spots on Lake Vermilion. So when is the latest ice out for these lakes? History shows that it can be pretty late in May.

Lake Vermilion finally lost it's ice on May 23rd, 1950. That's crazy late in the season. Other area lakes also had historic late ice outs just 5 years ago in 2013. I remember there still being ice chunks floating in Lake Superior in June.

Some other lakes of interest and their dates:

Gunflint Lake (on Canadian Border in BWCA) - June 3 (1936)
Lake Vermilion - May 23 (1950)
Leech lake (Main Basin) - May 23 (1950)
Rainy Lake - May 22 (1950)
Burntside Lake (near Ely) - May 22 (1950)
Lake Bemidji - May 22 (1950)
Lake of the Woods - May 21 (2014)
Fall Lake (near Ely) - May 19 (1950)
Deer Lake (near Grand Rapids) - May 18 (2013)
Gull Lake (near Nisswa) - May 18 (1950)
Kabetogama (near International Falls) - May 18 (1996)
Lake Winnibigoshish - May 17 (2013)
Pokegama Lake (near Grand Rapids) - May 17 (2013)
Red Lake (Upper and Lower) - May 17 (1996)
Mille Lacs Lake - May 16 (2013)
Johnson lake (near Silver Bay) - May 16 (2013)
McGuire Lake (near Warba, MN) - May 16 (2013)
Caribou Lake (near Lutsen) - May 15 (2014)
Whitefish Lake (near Crosslake) - May 14 (2013)
Pelican Lake (near Breezy Point) - May 14 (2013)
Lax Lake (near Silver Bay) - May 13 (1996)
Bearhead Lake (near Babbitt) - May 13 (2013)
Maple Leaf Lake (near Alborn) - May 11 (2013)
Moosehead Lake (near Moose Lake) - May 9 (2013)

You can find the interactive map at the MN DNR site for more information. The term ICE OUT means when there is no ice observed on the lake. Even with this late ice in the season, remember no ice is 100% safe, and it will begin to deteriorate quickly.