When Does Sawbill Lake Freeze? Typical Ice-In Nov 12, Ice-Out May 7
Sawbill Lake in Cook County, Minnesota usually freezes over around Nov 12, and usually has ice-out around May 7, based on Minnesota DNR ice observations recorded between 1990-2019. That works out to roughly 189 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 Sawbill Lake
| Typical freeze-up (ice-in) | Nov 12 |
| Typical ice-out | May 7 |
| Earliest freeze-up on record | Nov 8, 2019 |
| Latest freeze-up on record | Nov 24, 1990 |
| Earliest ice-out on record | Mar 27, 2012 |
| Latest ice-out on record | May 15, 2014 |
| Open-water season | ~189 days |
| Winters observed | 14 |
| Location | Cook County, Minnesota |
These are dates, not an ice-safety reading
A typical freeze-up date tells you when Sawbill 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 Sawbill Lake has landed as early as Mar 27, 2012 and as late as May 15, 2014 — a spread of weeks around the May 7 median. Freeze-up has ranged from Nov 8, 2019 to Nov 24, 1990. 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 Sawbill Lake is on the lake report.
Source: Minnesota DNR Climate Office ice-in / ice-out records, observations from 1990-2019.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Sawbill Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sawbill Lake in Cook 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 Sawbill 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 Sawbill Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Sawbill Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Watch Sawbill Lake water quality
Get an email when the clarity or algae readings change. Unsubscribe anytime.