Warm weather is changing winter trail conditions in Voyageurs National Park quickly.

Due to holes and honeycombing on the ice surface, The Kabetogama Lake Ice Road has closed for the season. The Rainy Lake Ice Road currently remains open at this time, but park staff will monitor conditions on a daily basis.

Snowmobile trails will be groomed through the end of the week as conditions allow. With forecasted warm temperatures, trail conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, and lake surfaces and portages may be devoid of snow soon. Trail stakes will remain through the weekend, but are planned for removal next week. Use caution and watch for slush, holes, and open water.

This will also be the last week of groomed ski trails.

Due to wolf interaction, short sections of the Green and Yellow Trails on Namakan Lake near the Moose River Grade have been closed and rerouted. The Green Trail reroute follows the south side of Namakan Island to near Cemetery Island and the Green, Yellow, and Orange Trail junctions.

Another winter season is coming to a close. Park officials recongize the work of VNP maintenance staff and gateway community snowmobile clubs, International Voyageurs, Ash River – Kabetogama Snowdrifters, and Voyageur Trail Society, that helped to make it a success.

The most up to date winter trail conditions are available at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile trails

• International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open, staked, and groomed
• Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) – Open, staked, and groomed
• *Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open, staked, and groomed
• Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) – Open, staked, and groomed
• *Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open, staked, and groomed
• *Rudder Bay (Orange Trail) – Open, staked, and groomed
• East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Open, staked, and groomed

*Trails reroutes are in effect. Rerouted trails are staked and groomed.

Ice roads

• Rainy Lake Ice Road – Open to Cranberry Bay and around Dryweed Island
• Kabetogama Lake Ice Road – Closed

Ski trails

• Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
• Black Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
• Tilson Connector Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
• KabAsh Trail – Open

Snowshoe trails

• Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail – Open, not packed
• Blind Ash Bay Trail – Open, not packed
• Oberholtzer Trail – Open, not packed
• Sullivan Bay Trail – Open, not packed

Ice anglers in northeastern Minnesota are reminded of ice shelter removal dates on lakes located north of Highways 200 and U.S. Highway 2.

Dark houses, fish houses and portable shelters must be off the ice of waters on the Canadian border March 31.

The deadline for inland lakes is no later than 11:59 p.m. Monday. Anglers are advised to remove shelters earlier if ice conditions warrant, urges the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

DNR staff say enforcement action will be taken if shelters are left after the deadline. Anglers who don’t remove their shelter can be prosecuted. Conservation officers may remove the structure and confiscate or dispose of it. It is also unlawful to store or leave a shelter at a public access.

“Ice conditions can change rapidly during spring thaw. Ice shelters and their contents left on a lake past the deadline can become irretrievable and can end up as unwanted trash in our lakes,” said Capt. Tom Provost, DNR Enforcement Division.

Anglers should also remove any refuse or litter from the lake. Wood blocks used to support a shelter or any type of anchoring device need to be removed.

After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended.

It is unlawful to improperly dispose of ice fishing shacks anywhere in the state. Anglers should check with local refuse providers or landfills for disposal of unwanted items.