Minnesota · Carlton County
Bear Lake Ice-Out Dates
The ice usually goes out of Bear Lake around April 18 — the third week of April. Earliest ever: March 24 (2012). Latest: May 4 (2014).
The 2027 season
Tracking resumes when the ice forms.
Every recorded ice-out
9 years on the books, 2004–2023. Newest first.
| Year | Ice-out date |
|---|---|
| 2023 | May 1 |
| 2019 | April 23 |
| 2017 | April 4 |
| 2016 | April 13 |
| 2014 | May 4 |
| 2012 | March 24 |
| 2011 | April 28 |
| 2009 | April 11 |
| 2004 | April 18 |
When Bear freezes over
Bear Lake usually freezes over around November 18 — the third week of November. Earliest on record: November 11 (2009–10). Latest: December 9 (2016–17).
A freeze-up crosses New Year, so each row is the winter it belongs to: the winter of 2016–17 froze on December 9. Newest first.
| Winter | Ice-in date |
|---|---|
| 2016–17 | December 9 |
| 2013–14 | November 16 |
| 2012–13 | November 23 |
| 2011–12 | November 18 |
| 2009–10 | November 11 |
| 2004–05 | November 24 |
Records: Minnesota DNR ice-in records. Last checked August 2026.
Late ice is unpredictable — no date on this page says the ice is safe.
Records: Minnesota DNR ice-out records. Last checked August 2026.