News from Piragis Northwoods Company and the BoundaryWatersCatalog.com:

ICE is OUT! Sharpen your hooks, get a line and paddle in!

Well, the Walleye Fishing Opener for Minnesota is tomorrow and yesterday morning we woke up to the lapping of waves on the shorelines on the majority of local lakes and Boundary Waters Lakes. Some of the larger lakes still aren't totally free of ice, but the sun and warm breezes are taking care of that, not to mention a great rain a couple of nights ago.

We can now be assured of hearing that long awaited phrase, "FISH ON!"

We found this from the Minnesota Climatology Working Group's 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 State Climatology Office attempts to contact the same individuals each year to maintain a consistent record. The table below will depict 2008 information obtained from this informal poll. The table is updated as conditions warrant.

Updated May 8th... Ice out was hastened on May 7th thanks to warm conditions and gusty north-northwest winds. Much of the ice moved to the south end of the larger lakes that still have ice. The wind was enough to begin to clear off the ice of many smaller northern Minnesota lakes south of the Boundary Waters. Significant ice still remains on Lake of the Woods. Vermilion is about 1/2 to 2/3 covered. Kabetogema is about half covered. Rainy is still more than 50% covered. Even some lakes in the southern edge of the Boundary waters have lost their ice such as Shagawa. On Leech Lake, significant ice remains in Walker Bay. It has been an odd season where one lake may be clear of ice, with another adjacent lake having signifigant ice remaining. With the main areas of ice detached from the shore the large chunks of ice will move with the wind so be advised of the weather forecast over the next few days."

For more information and a chart with ice out dates, click here:
http://climate.umn.edu/doc/ice_out/ice_out_status_08.htm


Call Bert Heep at 1-800-223-6565 this weekend to reserve your canoes and gear or for help routing your next Boundary Waters or Quetico canoe trip.

New Boundary Waters and Quetico Fishing Guide
by Michael Furtman

The long awaited update of Furtman's original "A Boundary Waters Fishing Guide," The New Boundary Waters and Quetico Fishing Guide is for those who dream of fishing the twin wilderness areas.

Hundreds of changes to the heart of the book - the indexes to the fish found in nearly every lake in both wilderness areas - and two new chapters means that this book is a must even for those who own the original. Each major fish species gets its own chapter on techniques and tackle. Whether you're an exerienced angler, but have never fished these remote Canadian Shield lakes, or a complete novice, the information in this book practically guarantees fresh fish dinners.


http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,11.html

Your Price: $14.95

NEXT WEEKEND IS SUNSPLASH 2008

Try before you buy SALE at Semer's Park Beach in
Ely, Minnesota 10% OFF NEW Canoes and Kayaks
Gear and Accessories Specials all Weekend Long

May 16, 17, 18 on the water!




Piragis Northwoods Company presents
Canoe & Kayak Tryout and Sale Days -- May 16, 17 and 28
Try Before You Buy -- Paddle the real canoes and kayaks you're interested in -- just like test driving a car!
At Semers Park in Ely, Minnesota
Save 10% on New Canoes, Kayaks and Paddling Gear all Weekend