We do not get to have a 40,000 acre sheet of ICE every year on Deer Lake, but sometimes the conditions are just right for skating without worry (or just a little in some tricky spots). All too often the lake will freeze over and then get a big dump of snow that ruins the recreation on the ICE. The historical photos below depict the beauty and the fun of skating and boating for a few days or even a week before the snow comes. No such luck in 2025, but sometimes we get Spring Skating: Let’s hope!
More information on ICE safety HERE: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html
See here for Deer Lake ICE-IN statistics and other information for 2025:
https://deerlakeassociation.org/deer-lake-ice-in-december-7/
Brand New ICE!
Skating along a ridge line. Minimum thickness should be four inches of ICE.
Dogs fave fun too! Watch out for the drifts of snow.
The ICE sings its whale-songs
Beauty of the ICE itself.
A close look for cracks can determine the thickness.
We gather for an ICE party.
Skating out to the fish house (seen in the previous photo in the distance), we find a group of anglers.
ICE-Boating into the sunset.
This home-made ICE-Boat got up to about 25 mph, which seem scary-fast, as we dodge drifts.
Return from adventure.
This extra-lite boat can travel much faster than our home-made version.
ICE-Boats held the world “land” speed record before the gas engine was invented.
Bubbles in the ICE
Frozen ICE can bend without breaking!
Near shore the ICE finds color. Your can see rocks, plants and fish thru clear ICE.
ICE Magic
Sun Dogs at dawn over Deer Lake ICE (photo by Larry Baldwin).
Walking on (frozen) Water!
The yellow necklace unfolds to a pair of ICE picks, a safety measure to help if you break through. Skating with friends is essential: someone should have a rope to pull you out if you break through.
REMEMBER: 4 inches is the minimum for walking or skating!
More information on ICE safety HERE: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html