When Does Long Lost Lake Freeze? Typical Ice-In Nov 29, Ice-Out Apr 19
Long Lost Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota usually freezes over around Nov 29, and usually has ice-out around Apr 19, based on Minnesota DNR ice observations recorded between 2003-2013. That works out to roughly 224 days of open water a year. These are typical dates across many winters, not a forecast — individual years swing by weeks in either direction.
Ice record for Long Lost Lake
| Typical freeze-up (ice-in) | Nov 29 |
| Typical ice-out | Apr 19 |
| Earliest freeze-up on record | Nov 8, 2003 |
| Latest freeze-up on record | Nov 30, 2006 |
| Earliest ice-out on record | Apr 2, 2010 |
| Latest ice-out on record | May 14, 2013 |
| Open-water season | ~224 days |
| Winters observed | 18 |
| Location | Clearwater County, Minnesota |
These are dates, not an ice-safety reading
A typical freeze-up date tells you when Long Lost Lake has usually iced over — it does not tell you the ice is safe, and we hold no thickness measurement for this or any lake. The Minnesota DNR is explicit that no ice is ever completely safe: thickness varies across a single lake, and current, springs, aerators, and insulating snow all weaken it. Ice that held a truck last week may not hold a person today.
Read the ice-thickness guidelines before going out, and check current conditions with the Minnesota DNR ice-safety page and local bait shops, which track conditions lake by lake.
How much the timing varies
Ice-out on Long Lost Lake has landed as early as Apr 2, 2010 and as late as May 14, 2013 — a spread of weeks around the Apr 19 median. Freeze-up has ranged from Nov 8, 2003 to Nov 30, 2006. That year-to-year swing is why a median date is a planning tool, not a schedule. Freeze-up is driven by accumulated cold after the lake turns over in fall; ice-out by late-winter air temperature, sun angle, and how much snow sits on top of the ice reflecting it. The full nutrient and algae breakdown for Long Lost Lake is on the lake report.
Source: Minnesota DNR Climate Office ice-in / ice-out records, observations from 2003-2013.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Long Lost Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Long Lost Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota. Live availability and prices for your nights. Switch the map to Satellite to see how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Long Lost Lake
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Long Lost Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Long Lost Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Watch Long Lost Lake water quality
Get an email when the clarity or algae readings change. Unsubscribe anytime.