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).

Big McDonald #2 Lake ice-out dates, 1982–2020MarAprMay1982: April 251984: April 141985: April 261986: April 141987: April 71988: April 141989: April 241990: April 221991: April 121992: April 91993: April 191994: April 181995: April 221996: May 41997: April 281998: April 71999: April 112000: April 12001: April 262002: April 162003: April 162004: April 152005: April 122008: May 12013: May 102014: April 282016: March 31Usually Apr 162020: April 92020
April 16Usually around
March 31Earliest ever (2016)
May 10Latest ever (2013)
28Years of record (1982–2020)

The 2027 season

Tracking resumes when the ice forms.

Every recorded ice-out

28 years on the books, 1982–2020. Newest first.

YearIce-out date
2020April 9
2016March 31
2014April 28
2013May 10
2008May 1
2005April 12
2004April 15
2003April 16
2002April 16
2001April 26
2000April 1
1999April 11
1998April 7
1997April 28
1996May 4
1995April 22
1994April 18
1993April 19
1992April 9
1991April 12
1990April 22
1989April 24
1988April 14
1987April 7
1986April 14
1985April 26
1984April 14
1982April 25

Late ice is unpredictable — no date on this page says the ice is safe.

Records: Minnesota DNR ice-out records. Last checked August 2026.

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