Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Big McDonald #2 Lake Ice-Out Dates
The ice usually goes out of Big McDonald #2 Lake around April 16 — the third week of April. Earliest ever: March 31 (2016). Latest: May 10 (2013).
The 2027 season
Tracking resumes when the ice forms.
Every recorded ice-out
28 years on the books, 1982–2020. Newest first.
| Year | Ice-out date |
|---|---|
| 2020 | April 9 |
| 2016 | March 31 |
| 2014 | April 28 |
| 2013 | May 10 |
| 2008 | May 1 |
| 2005 | April 12 |
| 2004 | April 15 |
| 2003 | April 16 |
| 2002 | April 16 |
| 2001 | April 26 |
| 2000 | April 1 |
| 1999 | April 11 |
| 1998 | April 7 |
| 1997 | April 28 |
| 1996 | May 4 |
| 1995 | April 22 |
| 1994 | April 18 |
| 1993 | April 19 |
| 1992 | April 9 |
| 1991 | April 12 |
| 1990 | April 22 |
| 1989 | April 24 |
| 1988 | April 14 |
| 1987 | April 7 |
| 1986 | April 14 |
| 1985 | April 26 |
| 1984 | April 14 |
| 1982 | April 25 |
When Big McDonald #2 freezes over
Big McDonald #2 Lake usually freezes over around November 21 — the third week of November. Earliest on record: November 3 (1984–85). Latest: December 20 (1983–84).
A freeze-up crosses New Year, so each row is the winter it belongs to: the winter of 2007–08 froze on December 5. Newest first.
| Winter | Ice-in date |
|---|---|
| 2007–08 | December 5 |
| 2004–05 | December 16 |
| 2003–04 | November 24 |
| 2001–02 | December 7 |
| 2000–01 | November 21 |
| 1999–00 | December 16 |
| 1998–99 | December 19 |
| 1997–98 | November 16 |
| 1996–97 | November 12 |
| 1995–96 | November 11 |
| 1993–94 | November 12 |
| 1992–93 | November 15 |
| 1991–92 | November 4 |
| 1990–91 | November 28 |
| 1989–90 | November 18 |
| 1988–89 | November 18 |
| 1987–88 | November 22 |
| 1986–87 | November 13 |
| 1985–86 | November 21 |
| 1984–85 | November 3 |
| 1983–84 | December 20 |
| 1982–83 | December 10 |
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.