May 7, 2014 Ice Out Report

Superior National Forest Ice Update

                                                                        May 7, 2014 PM report

                                                                       

Current Ice Conditions: Conditions are changing quickly. Rains, warmth, and wind could give fisherman much more open water by the weekend.

From Forest Service pilots today:  

·        -  Newton (between Fall L and Pipestone) is open.

·         - Pipestone is 60% open.

·         -  Jackfish is still frozen.

·         - Mud is 50%, Rice is 80%, and Ella Hall is 20% open.

·        -  Garden is 75% open.

·         - Kempton is open.

·        -  Pickerel is 50%.

·         - Wood is starting to open.

·       -   Fall—there is ice on the west end and by the 4 Mile Portage.

·         - Most of Basswood is tightly frozen but Back Bay is 50%. Hoist Bay is frozen.

·        -  Lakes 1 thru 4—shorelines are open but still 75% ice. May see some changes in the next few days.

·         - Kawishiwi R. and west bound there is some open water and may open by the weekend. Gabbro and Bald Eagle (southern end) are 25%. Three Mile is 60%.

·         - Snowbank and going east most of the lakes are frozen tight to the shore.

Reports from others:

·        -  The road into Mudro Lake is in very bad condition. Low clearance vehicles and two wheel drive vehicles will probably not make it.

Road Reports from Gunflint (Grand Marais) Engineer:

·         The Grade:  (170) is snow free, but really rough – even “rutty”.

·         You can’t get into Wilson Lake Campground and probably won’t be able to for at least a few more days, probably not by this weekend.

·         From Lake County 7, going on FR 166 (600 Road) to the 342 Road, (Two Island River Road) there is about 1-2” of snow at the intersection of 166/342, so no travel down on the 342 road for several days.

·         From Lake County Road 7 to Richey Lake Road it is still snow covered, but passable by pickup or four wheel drive, car travel would not be advised.

·         Temperance River Road (343) you could drive up the first four miles but lots of trees were down.  There is still snow on the road, probably only advisable with a pick-up truck.

Wildlife spotted in the Ely Area

A number of sightings of wolves on the Fernberg Road and south along FS 377/Tomahawk RD toward Lake Isabella have been reported. Seems early morning has been the best times. One group reported seeing a radio collared wolf. If they also had subsequently seen a moose, bear and white tail deer they indicated their trip would have been complete and they would go home early. Well they did not and completed their 5-day BWCA trip starting a Moose Lake, over to Wind Lake onto Wind Bay, Hula Lake and ending at Wood Lake.  Great fishing, swatted some mosquitoes and are already planning next year's trip.

A moose sighting!
Great to report a moose sighting given all the news that the Minnesota moose population has been on a steep decline for the past 2-3 years. A group traveling along Island River, entry point 34, reported hearing a load crashing noise coming through the woods toward them. Waiting to see what it was...a moose came rushing out of the woods toward the water not caring what was in its way. It immediately immersed itself in the river until only its head was showing. Seems the bugs finally got the best of the moose.

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