Help us track the freeze and thaw of our lakes!  

RPBCWD is looking for volunteers to help us track the ice-in and ice-out dates of the lakes within our District. These observations will help us track changes in the duration of our lakes' ice cover over time and help us understand the impact of ice duration on a lake's ecosystem. 

As a Lake Freeze Tracker, you'll keep an eye on your chosen lake and report to us two dates: 

Ice-in: the date a lake is fully frozen over for the winter 

Ice-out: the date a lake is fully open water again 

A Lake Freeze Tracker for a given lake will ideally be someone who lives close by and can make daily observations of the lake's ice cover. We are looking for volunteers to track the following lakes: 

  • Lake Lucy
  • Duck Lake
  • Hyland Lake
  • Lake Riley
  • Red Rock Lake
  • Staring Lake
  • Lake Ann
  • Lake Susan
  • Rice Marsh Lake
  • Lotus Lake
  • Silver Lake
  • Round Lake

Click here to become a Lake Freeze Tracker and indicate which lake you’ll be tracking. 

Reporting ice-in 

As temperatures cool, it's not uncommon for lakes to develop a thin layer of ice overnight that thaws during the day. A lake should be covered in ice for at least 24 hours before being reported as ice-in.  

Once you believe your lake has been fully frozen for at least 24 hours, you'll fill out the Ice-in Report. Report the date you first noticed the lake was Ice-in, and information on your observation point. We also ask that you attach a photo of your view of the lake. If you can't see the entire lake from your observation point, that's okay - report the date that the entirety of your view of the lake is covered in ice, and note how much of the lake you can see.  

Some lakes may have inlet streams that may keep a small area near the shore open even as the rest of the lake is frozen, and some lakes have winter aeration units that result in open water in a small area. In these cases, ice-in would be when roughly 90% of the lake is covered in ice. 

Reporting ice-out 

Ice-out is when the lake is fully thawed and navigable by boat. There may still be ice along the shore, but so long as over 90% of the lake is ice-free, the lake is considered ice-out. You do not need to wait 24 hours to report the ice-out date.  

Ice is never 100% safe! 

Ice-in dates should not be used to judge the safety of ice for recreational use. Ice does not form uniformly on our lakes, and can be thick in one spot only to be much thinner just a few feet away. Use caution and wait for at least 4 inches of consistent, clear ice before venturing out on foot. 

Learn more about ice safety: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice