Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Big McDonald Lake Ice-Out Dates
The ice usually goes out of Big McDonald Lake around April 16 — the third week of April. Earliest ever: April 1 (2016). Latest: May 6 (2022).
The 2027 season
Tracking resumes when the ice forms.
Every recorded ice-out
14 years on the books, 2004–2025. Newest first.
| Year | Ice-out date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | April 16 |
| 2024 | April 5 |
| 2022 | May 6 |
| 2021 | April 2 |
| 2020 | April 25 |
| 2018 | May 1 |
| 2017 | April 5 |
| 2016 | April 1 |
| 2015 | April 12 |
| 2014 | April 28 |
| 2008 | May 4 |
| 2007 | April 17 |
| 2005 | April 12 |
| 2004 | April 17 |
When Big McDonald freezes over
Big McDonald Lake usually freezes over around November 28 — the fourth week of November. Earliest on record: November 7 (2007–08). Latest: December 19 (2015–16).
A freeze-up crosses New Year, so each row is the winter it belongs to: the winter of 2025–26 froze on December 2. Newest first.
| Winter | Ice-in date |
|---|---|
| 2025–26 | December 2 |
| 2024–25 | December 2 |
| 2023–24 | November 27 |
| 2020–21 | November 30 |
| 2019–20 | November 12 |
| 2017–18 | November 22 |
| 2015–16 | December 19 |
| 2014–15 | November 18 |
| 2007–08 | November 7 |
| 2006–07 | November 30 |
| 2004–05 | December 18 |
| 2003–04 | November 28 |
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.