I’ve always been a bit reluctant to present ice conditions for obvious reasons. First ice conditions are to be approached with extreme caution.
Our personal 4-legged Ice Tester “Benelli” came along with me this morning to several access points here on Rainy Lake. Acting as a “Northwoods Groundhog” many of our customers are eager to find out whether she’ll see her shadow or not. 
Presently Benel and I found back bays held there ice and are currently covered in a few inches of fresh snow. This fresh snow will certainly insulate the ice and slow the formation of new ice. On the positive side of things; Just outside some of these bays the ice hadn’t been formed or dropped down with the weight of the new snow. This ice now being formed has no insulation from the elements. Barring another “White Blanket” this ice should build up nicely this week.
We stomped our feet at Rainy Lake Marine on Sand Bay. Rainy Lake marine offers visiting anglers a access point with either a daily or seasonal road pass.
We clicked our heels at “Tilson Creek” although Benelli seemed to feel her paws were getting a bit chilly . This usually is a snowmobile access point and hasn’t been plowed for vehicle access as of the last couple seasons.
We then drove to Thunderbird lodge. Thunderbird is the local resort in which my customers stay during the ice fishing season. This had a nice road plowed from it last season and I expect it to again this year.
Lastly we slid into the beauty of the Voyageurs National Park landing. This landing is plowed by the park service when conditions permit. This landing is located in Black Bay.
As of this morning I would guess we have no more than 1 inch of ice at access points. This ice should build in the coming week with cool temps!!
This can NEVER be overstated. Anglers NEED to keep their heads screwed on tight early in the season. As a fishing guide…….I am EXTREMELY cautious on early ice conditions. Poke your way out and take every safety precaution possible. That first bend in your rod is the itch we all want to scratch. Still that bottom of the lake is something none of us want to see in the last days of November.
I predict I’ll hit the ice soon after the “Ice Show”. Both Kelly and I will be in attendance and I look forward to talking Ice fishing with you all!! 
Picture here our Guide dog “Benelli” says 2 more weeks fellas!!
