Minnesota · Rice County
Wells Lake Ice-Out Dates
The ice usually goes out of Wells Lake around March 28 — the fourth week of March. Earliest ever: February 28 (2024). Latest: April 26 (2018).
The 2027 season
Tracking resumes when the ice forms.
Every recorded ice-out
26 years on the books, 1983–2026. Newest first.
| Year | Ice-out date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | March 22 |
| 2025 | March 15 |
| 2024 | February 28 |
| 2023 | April 11 |
| 2022 | April 4 |
| 2021 | March 24 |
| 2020 | March 26 |
| 2019 | April 2 |
| 2018 | April 26 |
| 2017 | March 18 |
| 2016 | March 11 |
| 2015 | March 21 |
| 2014 | April 10 |
| 2013 | April 17 |
| 2008 | April 15 |
| 2003 | March 27 |
| 2002 | April 7 |
| 1999 | March 28 |
| 1995 | March 20 |
| 1991 | April 1 |
| 1990 | March 25 |
| 1989 | April 8 |
| 1988 | March 26 |
| 1986 | April 1 |
| 1984 | April 12 |
| 1983 | March 30 |
When Wells freezes over
Wells Lake usually freezes over around November 29 — the fourth week of November. Earliest on record: November 8 (1995–96). Latest: December 21 (2001–02).
A freeze-up crosses New Year, so each row is the winter it belongs to: the winter of 2025–26 froze on November 28. Newest first.
| Winter | Ice-in date |
|---|---|
| 2025–26 | November 28 |
| 2024–25 | November 29 |
| 2022–23 | November 18 |
| 2021–22 | December 6 |
| 2020–21 | December 1 |
| 2019–20 | December 2 |
| 2018–19 | November 10 |
| 2017–18 | November 29 |
| 2011–12 | December 1 |
| 2002–03 | December 2 |
| 2001–02 | December 21 |
| 1998–99 | December 19 |
| 1996–97 | November 17 |
| 1995–96 | November 8 |
| 1994–95 | November 30 |
| 1992–93 | November 27 |
| 1989–90 | November 21 |
| 1986–87 | November 12 |
| 1979–80 | November 30 |
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.