Minnesota · Freeborn County
Bear Lake Ice-Out Dates
The ice usually goes out of Bear Lake around March 29 — the fourth week of March. Earliest ever: March 12 (2016). Latest: April 28 (2018).
The 2027 season
Tracking resumes when the ice forms.
Every recorded ice-out
7 years on the books, 2007–2023. Newest first.
| Year | Ice-out date |
|---|---|
| 2023 | April 8 |
| 2020 | March 29 |
| 2018 | April 28 |
| 2016 | March 12 |
| 2015 | March 20 |
| 2008 | April 22 |
| 2007 | March 28 |
When Bear freezes over
Bear Lake usually freezes over around December 9 — the second week of December. Earliest on record: November 9 (2006–07). Latest: December 20 (2007–08).
A freeze-up crosses New Year, so each row is the winter it belongs to: the winter of 2023–24 froze on November 28. Newest first.
| Winter | Ice-in date |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 | November 28 |
| 2017–18 | December 9 |
| 2015–16 | December 20 |
| 2007–08 | December 20 |
| 2006–07 | November 9 |
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.