Here are the names of the winners of the Ely Echo Shagawa Lake Ice Out Contest sponsored by Grand Ely Lodge.
The 2026 official ice out on Shagawa Lake was on Tuesday, April 28 at 6:25 a.m. as called by Tammy Kisch and Nicki Marines of the Grand Ely Lodge staff.
The 2025 official ice out was on May 4.
Ice out is official when a boat could leave Grand Ely Lodge’s dock and cross to the north side of the lake, chunks of ice notwithstanding.
Winning the first Prize of $100 in Grand Ely Lodge Guest Bucks was Jeff Ishmalof Ely with his guess of 7:45 a.m.
Second place and a $50 gift certificate from the Ely Echo with a guess of 7:50 a.m. was Nancy Kramar Wood of Brooklyn Park, MN.
Taking third place was Ely resident Ruthanne Fenske with her guess of 10:07 a.m.
