With word from someone who knows Borderland lakes well, The Journal has declared today the official ice-out date for Rainy Lake.
Mike Williams reported at 3:30 p.m. today that the first boats arrived at Kettle Falls from Island View unimpeded by ice. Local pilots Rick Bolstad and Jim Hummel, after flyovers, also said the tiny bit of ice that impeded boat travel from Island View to Kettle Falls would likely be cleared sometime today.
Williams, whose family operated the Kettle Falls Hotel for many years and has served as a long-time fishing guide and U.S. Coast Guard lamplighter, reported to The Journal that the ice on Rainy Lake is out as of today.
In addition, he reported that the ice went out on Lake Kabetogama Wednesday.
Williams said Lamplighter Tom Dougherty has placed navigational buoys on Namakan, Sand Point, Crane and Kabetogama lakes.
