Lake Minnetonka sees earliest ice-in since 2019
FOX 9 reports that frigid early-December temperatures have produced the earliest ice-in on Lake Minnetonka since 2019, prompting the Minnesota DNR to urge caution on variable early-season ice. Local guide services say cold conditions could add roughly an inch of ice per day and are targeting day-after-Christmas outings, but officials warn fresh snow can insulate and slow ice formation and that no lake ice is ever 100% safe.
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đ Relevant Data
Minnesota has warmed more than 2.5°F since 1900, with most warming taking place over the winter. ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes)) ([US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-connections-minnesota-lakes))
Lake ice duration across Minnesota has decreased by up to 17 days over the last 50 years. ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking)) ([Minnesota Pollution Control Agency](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/as-winters-in-minnesota-get-warmer-the-lake-ice-season-is-shrinking))
As winters in Minnesota get warmer, the lake ice season is shrinking â Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Minnesota currently sees an average of 2.8 ice accident deaths per year, down from 3.4 deaths over the prior two decades. ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/)) ([Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ice-fishing-turns-deadly-as-world-warms/))
Ice Fishing Turns Deadly as World Warms â Scientific American
Outdoor recreation contributes $13.5 billion in gross domestic product to Minnesota's economy. ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506)) ([The Timberjay](https://www.timberjay.com/stories/outdoor-recreation-is-big-business-in-minnesota,23506))
Outdoor recreation is big business in Minnesota â The Timberjay
đ Key Facts
- DNR says Lake Minnetonka has its earliest ice-in since 2019
- DNR warns early snow can insulate and slow ice formation; ice thickness varies with location and flow
- Local operator Tonka West Guide Services aims to take clients out starting the day after Christmas, citing faster ice growth in current cold
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