Both Williams and Shingobee Lakes lost their ice cover on April 11 this spring, which was about a week earlier than normal. However, Dallas was surprised by how long the ice hung around. Winter at the IRI site was very mild. In fact, for the state, it was the warmest winter since 1877-78 (MN Climatology Working Group). But a cool March delayed what might have been a record early ice-out date for the IRI lakes. Most of the other lakes in the area had ice out two weeks earlier than normal.