Big Sand Lake Association
committed to the preservation of Big Sand Lake
Big Sand Ice Out Dates
Definition of Lake Ice Out: According to the DNR website, "The definition of lake ice-out varies from lake to lake, and individual to individual. For some, ice-out occurs only when the lake is completely free of ice. For others, ice-out is defined as the moment when navigation is possible from point A to point B. And yet for others, ice-out is when 90 percent of the lake is ice free. Due to the variable definitions of this rather subjective observation, the participating agencies attempt to contact the same individuals each year to maintain a consistent record."
In 2013, BSLA initiated an ice out contest on the website. Submissions were requested in early March for estimated dates and times for when Big Sand would be ice free. The submissions were recorded by a BSLA volunteer. A separate BSLA volunteer determined when Big Sand was considered ice free. The person submitting the closest date was announced as the winner. The contest was quite popular and has continued ever since.
The DNR website lists ice out dates that have been submitted by volunteers for all lakes in MN - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html. For Big Sand, the DNR lists sporadic ice out dates from 1992 to present. We are not sure who has been submitting data prior to 2013 but as the BSLA Ice Out Contest continues we will have a fairly consistent reporting going forward.
- 2024 - April 12, 9:00 p.m.
- 2023 - May 4, 4:00 a.m.
- 2022 - May 9, 9:30 a.m.
- 2021 - April 21, 6:00 p.m.
- 2020 - April 27, 4:00 p.m.
- 2019 - May 1
- 2018 - May 4
- 2017 - April 7
- 2016 - April 16
- 2015 - April 7
- 2014 - May 14
- 2013 - May 4
- ↓ DNR records prior to 2013 are below ↓
- 2008 - May 10
- 2007 - April 26
- 2004 - April 22
- 2003 - April 20
- 2002 - April 19
- 2001 - April 18
- 1996 - May 8
- 1995 - April 27
- 1992 - April 19
