ICE OUT Ely Minnesota has OPEN WATER!

Yesterday (Friday) was a beautiful day and it was warm.  Haven't been able to say that for a while.  In the afternoon the wind began to pick up.  As the wind increased its velocity overnight Shagawa Lake succumbed to Spring - finally.  The official word on time that the ice went out will come in the Ely papers next week, but that is really of little concern, because we're free!

It is a much darker and grey day than yesterday, but that's o.k. too.

Yeah!

View of Shagawa Lake (NO ICE) from Grand Ely Lodge 2011

View of Shagawa Lake (NO ICE) from Grand Ely Lodge 2011

View of Shagawa Lake (NO ICE) from Grand Ely Lodge 2011

One of the cool things about Ely is that there are several web cams up.  Yesterday morning I looked at this one posted at Moose Lake.  The lake was full of rotted ice.  This morning... well look for yourself.  http://www.customcabins.com/webcam.html

Ely, gateway to the Boundary Waters is ice free.  Later, we'll give you an update on Burntside Lake which usually holds onto its ice longer than other lakes around Ely.

**************************BURNTSIDE LAKE UPDATE********************
Burntside ice has moved away from shore and ice is blowing up on islands but the big bay is still mostly ice covered.  That would  indicate that the big lakes of the BWCAW and Quetico are still in the same shape.  Maybe it’ll go out this weekend with the wind and the shift to the NW soon.  Stay tuned for up to the minute reports.   ---  Steve Piragis

Piragis Paddle Boarder Makes Maiden Voyage Despite Solid Precipitation

Oh, you know we had to do it.

These Stand Up Paddle Boards and Paddles just came via truck here to Ely.  One look and it was time to head to the river and open water.  If the loons can do it, so can we.  So, Steve Johnson donned a bright red lifevest (so we could see him through the snowstorm) and hit the water.

Now this isn't exactly a warm weather environment, but these stand up paddle boards are fantastic for fun and exercise.  They are great to use for photographers, yoga enthusiasts, sightseers and people who just love to paddle and exercise but get bored of doing it the same old way.

Fun is a key ingredient to just about everything you're going to enjoy, correct?  At Piragis, we like to have fun and we know our friends do to.  So this year we're going to sell boards and paddles.  If you want to place an advance order, call 1-800-223-6565 and ask for Steve Piragis.  The ink isn't even dry on the paperwork yet, but who cares, we'll get you a paddle and board and you can start having your own fun (hopefully somewhere warmer).

You know that in a couple of days, it'll be back in the high sixties here.  We're too anxious to get out and paddle to let a little ice pack and 4 or 5 inches of snow to stop us.

Until tomorrow, we'll see ya round the bend!

Tuesday dawned all white and fluffy. April 27, 2011

Well, we woke up to it again.  The white stuff.

Our first canoe rental client of the year showed up today from Arizona.  He is usually in town this time of year on other business.  Last year he got to take a great little solo trip in fabulous weather.  This year their was skim ice everywhere on the waters that were open last night.  The water is bitter cold.  It is just fine for camping out, which is what he decided to do.

The canoe stayed here.  Along with its friends on the racks, waiting nicer weather, open water and all of you folks.  Not quite ready for its maiden voyage of 2011.  Although some of the rivers and smaller lakes have had a few paddles wet on their waters already, the bulk of the lakes are still ice-bound as I write.

Mother's day is two weeks away and the following week is fishing opener on May 14th this year.  It is a great time to plan a trip to Ely on early water.  Permit availability is good at this time of year, the fish are hungry and everything looks new and fresh out there in the wilderness.  Wildlife activity is more noticeable before all the trees leaf out to their full potential.  Songbirds are prevalent.  It is a great time to do a trip because then you have all the excuses you need to come up again later on in the summer or even the fall.

For now, this is what it looks like just outside.  As we always say, it makes life interesting here in the Northwoods.  Trips are being planned, permits reserved, boats prepped.  Call us today and get your trips in order, remember if you have a large scout group or church group, we can do all the logistics for you.  Call 1-800-223-6565 today and ask us about our full outfitting options that include all the camping gear, canoes, paddles, lifevests and excellent food you'll need to make your trip a success.

When will the Ice Go OUT? Days? Weeks? Hours?

Who knows.  Some of the smaller, shallower lakes around the area are ice free.  Some of the larger ones with rivers flowing through them are open.  Shagawa Lake, here in town, Ely is our measuring stick for official ice out.  Since it is 63 degrees out right now, I went outside to get some pictures of Shagawa Lake and Miner's Lake.  It is always fun to try to pick the day or the hour of the day that the ice goes.

Shagawa Lake, Ely.  Public landing off Pioneer Drive

All it takes as these kind of days come our way to make the ice disappear is some rain or wind or a good combination of both.  You can see that much of the ice is black and "rotted".  Underneath it is riddled with honeycombed type pockets.  While it may be thick in many places, it has long ceased to be safe or predictable when it appears like this.

It looks to me like it'll be around for another week at least, but all that could change in just a matter of hours if we get a few more warm and rainy days.  As we've shared, the waterfowl have come to back to town and more Loons have been showing up daily.  Spring is in the air, even if winter is still holding on to our beloved waters.

Get ready for fishing opener, May 14!  If you're coming up to Ely and need a canoe or plan to use our outfitting services, give Bert or Drew a call!  1-800-223-6565.

Shagawa Lake view from Grand Ely Lodge

Shagawa Lake Ely

Shagawa Lake, Ely, large hole near center of lake.  Remains of ice road?

Shagawa Lake, Ely -- view from Semer's Park

Shagawa Lake Semer's Park view -- rotted ice further out.

Middle of Shagawa Lake, still pretty thick.

Beautiful clouds reflected in the water.  Public Landing view of Shagawa.

Miner's Lake view from the Trezona Trail, Ely, Minnesota

Cool Aquamarine color of Miner's Lake in Ely.  Getting Closer!

Loons are back in Ely

Saturday's snowstorm doesn't seem to have deterred the early spring and summer residents of Ely.  Steve Piragis took a hike over to the Kawishiwi Falls and captured some early arrivals.  The chill is less today than it was yesterday and I don't think we made any more ice last night.

We eagerly await the arrival of the common loons each year.  All seems to be right with the world when you can hear their cries overhead.  Open water finds waterfowl of all kinds, colors and shapes landing in Ely.  Whether they stay the summer or just layover for a spell, it is good to see them all.

First of 7 loons on Fall Lake below the falls waiting for more open water.

Kawishiwi Falls after spring snow on Monday

Old yellow birch on trail.  Old beaver chew.

Winton Hydro Power Station on the Kawishiwi at full capacity this month.

Falls roaring from below.

Common Merganser looking for landing spot.

Three male Common Mergansers on fish hunting mission.

Frozen vernal pool