Minnesota · Itasca County
McDonald Lake Ice-Out Dates
The ice usually goes out of McDonald Lake around April 13 — the second week of April. Earliest ever: March 23 (2012). Latest: April 29 (2008).
The 2027 season
Tracking resumes when the ice forms.
Every recorded ice-out
5 years on the books, 2006–2012. Newest first.
| Year | Ice-out date |
|---|---|
| 2012 | March 23 |
| 2011 | April 21 |
| 2010 | March 31 |
| 2008 | April 29 |
| 2006 | April 13 |
When McDonald freezes over
McDonald Lake usually freezes over around November 18 — the third week of November. Earliest on record: November 10 (2017–18). Latest: November 25 (2023–24).
A freeze-up crosses New Year, so each row is the winter it belongs to: the winter of 2023–24 froze on November 25. Newest first.
| Winter | Ice-in date |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 | November 25 |
| 2018–19 | November 10 |
| 2017–18 | November 10 |
| 2011–12 | November 18 |
| 2008–09 | November 20 |
| 2007–08 | November 21 |
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.