Minnesota · Stearns County
Big Fish Lake Ice-Out Dates
The ice usually goes out of Big Fish Lake around April 13 — the second week of April. Earliest ever: March 19 (2012). Latest: May 9 (2013).
The 2027 season
Tracking resumes when the ice forms.
Every recorded ice-out
17 years on the books, 1995–2014. Newest first.
| Year | Ice-out date |
|---|---|
| 2014 | April 26 |
| 2013 | May 9 |
| 2012 | March 19 |
| 2008 | April 26 |
| 2007 | April 13 |
| 2006 | April 9 |
| 2005 | April 9 |
| 2004 | April 6 |
| 2003 | April 13 |
| 2002 | April 16 |
| 2001 | April 22 |
| 2000 | March 24 |
| 1999 | April 7 |
| 1998 | April 5 |
| 1997 | April 22 |
| 1996 | April 25 |
| 1995 | April 21 |
When Big Fish freezes over
Big Fish Lake usually freezes over around December 2 — the first week of December. Earliest on record: November 21 (1996–97). Latest: December 21 (1998–99).
A freeze-up crosses New Year, so each row is the winter it belongs to: the winter of 2024–25 froze on December 12. Newest first.
| Winter | Ice-in date |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | December 12 |
| 2008–09 | December 7 |
| 2007–08 | December 1 |
| 2006–07 | December 1 |
| 2005–06 | December 2 |
| 2004–05 | December 14 |
| 2003–04 | December 2 |
| 2002–03 | December 3 |
| 2001–02 | December 20 |
| 2000–01 | December 2 |
| 1999–00 | December 16 |
| 1998–99 | December 21 |
| 1997–98 | November 24 |
| 1996–97 | November 21 |
| 1995–96 | November 24 |
| 1994–95 | December 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.