While the weather can fluctuate and the temperatures throughout the Sunset Country region vary, we've put together a general guide to help you prepare for your fishing trip or vacation to Sunset Country.
Spring
In the Spring, you can expect milder temperatures which often include some rainy days. While still cooler than summer, the sun's rays feel hot making it sometimes feel warmer than it is. March is a fantastic time to go ice fishing. The sun is warm and you can sit outside of the ice shack and enjoy the scenery. Walleye fishing season closes mid-April and doesn't open up again until the third Saturday in May. This gives the walleye time to spawn. The ice generally goes out anywhere from the end of March to the beginning of May so it's generally not a great time to fish anyways.
Average Spring Temperatures:
| Month | Celsius | Fahrenheit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | High | Low | High | |
| March | -13.9 to -8.6 | -0.8 to 1.8 | 7.1 to 16.6 | 30.5 to 35.2 |
| April | -4.2 to -1.5 | 8.6 to 10.7 | 24.5 to 29.3 | 47.5 to 51.2 |
| May | 3.1 to 6 | 16 to 18.9 | 37.5 to 42.8 | 60.8 to 66.1 |
Summer
Summers in Sunset Country range from warm to hot temperatures. The weather is usually quite humid, which intensifies the heat. Thankfully there are tons of lakes and rivers in Sunset Country to go for a swim and cool off. There is lots of time in the day to go fishing, canoeing, swimming, or boating, with some days having as much as 16 hours of sunlight. June is the coolest summer month, and also the best time during summer to fish for walleye. The fish seem to bite non-stop during June. The hottest time of year is July and early August with some daily high temperatures of more than 30°. Families love to come in the summer months for a vacation as there are so many outdoor and water activities to do.
Average Summer Temperatures:
| Month | Celsius | Fahrenheit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | High | Low | High | |
| June | 9.1 to 11.1 | 21.1 to 23.1 | 48.3 to 52 | 70 to 73.5 |
| July | 12.4 to 13.7 | 23.8 to 25.5 | 54.3 to 56.7 | 74.9 to 77.8 |
| August | 11.4 to 12.7 | 22.7 to 24.5 | 52.4 to 54.8 | 72.8 to 76.1 |
Fall
Generally, you go fishing all of September and October, but in November lakes start to freeze over. September is a really great month for fishing, making it a favorite vacation time for the avid fisherman. You can still fish in October (except for lake trout which closes from September 30 to January 1), as long as the weather permits. It is time to pull out your heavy fall/winter gear as temperatures start to dip below 0° (freezing mark) around mid-October, with a little bit of snowfall. Hunters appreciate a bit of snow in the fall to make it easier to track. Hardy muskie anglers fish until the lakes start to freeze. If you're dressed for the cold, you can catch some huge muskies at this time of the year.
Average Fall Temperatures:
| Month | Celsius | Fahrenheit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | High | Low | High | |
| September | 5.9 to 7.2 | 16 to 17.6 | 42.6 to 44.9 | 60.9 to 63.8 |
| October | -0.4 to 1.3 | 7.8 to 10.3 | 31.3 to 34.3 | 46 to 50.5 |
| November | -9.4 to -6.9 | -2 to 0.3 | 15.1 to 19.6 | 28.4 to 32.5 |
Winter
The Sunset Country area sees some chilling temperatures in the winter months, with January being the coldest. If you are here ice fishing, it is best to go out trout or walleye fishing on a day with little to no wind, or to fish in an ice shack, to escape the extreme temperatures. Wearing the proper winter clothing is key to a successful ice-fishing trip! There is significantly less daylight during the winter months, with some days seeing only 8.5 hours of sunlight. The ice usually becomes thick enough to go ice fishing around the end of December. Always be sure that the ice is thick enough to walk or drive on before venturing out. Snowmobiling is fantastic in Sunset Country. The trails are flat over the ice, curvy and hilly in the forests. When the trails open mostly depends on the snow and ice conditions. Since much of trails are over lakes, they must first be safe and frozen before heading out.
Average Winter Temperatures:
| Month | Celsius | Fahrenheit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | High | Low | High | |
| December | -20 to -16 | -10.5 to -7.7 | -4 to 3.3 | 13.1 to 18.2 |
| January | -23.9 to -19.3 | -12.7 to 9.4 | -11 to -2.7 | 9.2 to 15.1 |
| February | -21.3 to -16.5 | -8.6 to -5.9 | -6.4 to 2.3 | -16.5 to 21.5 |