1994 April 23
1995 April 21
1996 May 03
1997 April 25
1998 April 12
1999 April 22
2000 April 15
2001 April 28
2002 April 23
2003 late April
2004 April 20
2005 April 15
2006 April 14
2007 April 26
2008 May 03
2009 April 23
2010 March ??
These ice-out dates apply only to Baylis Bay and the part of the lake to the south of Big Bear Island. The big northern portion of Crane Lake usually becomes ice free within a day or two after the above dates. The big lakes further up north can go out much later, up to two weeks later.
In the Spring, Crane Lake is affected by the rivers and creeks that flow into it. There are two big rivers, the Vermilion and the Echo, and three smaller streams that all flow into the southern portion of Crane Lake. The flowing warm water really affects the lake ice. When the spring melt swells the rivers into raging torrents, the moving water starts to cut a path into the lake ice. Throw in a good stiff wind and the ice on the lake can move around and pile up on shore.
It certainly looks like it will be an early break-up this year.
