Even the most-northern lakes should be ice free well before the fishing opener in mid-May. 2:34 pm, Apr. 7, 2021 × Ice was deteriorating rapidly on this pond in Duluth on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Ice is leaving Minnesota lakes this spring two to three weeks earlier than the long-term average dates. (John Myers / jmyers@duluthnews.com) Ice-out is progressing rapidly north across Minnesota this spring with many lakes losing their ice two to three weeks earlier than the long-term averages. That’s good news for anglers eager to get out for some panfish action. And it means that all Minnesota lakes should be easily ice-free well before the May 15 walleye fishing opener.