March Melt: Hebgen Lake Goes Ice-Free Early

Well, it looks like Hebgen Lake didn’t get the memo that it’s still March. It looks like the lake has already decided to shed its winter coat, for the most part. It is definitely mostly ice-free, according to a video clip posted by Happy Hour Bar in West Yellowstone yesterday, March 30, 2026. Some years, people are still drilling holes for ice fishing this time of year, but today the only thing “frozen” around there are the ice cubes in the bar’s freezer. If the water gets any more eager, we’ll be seeing paddleboards where the snowmobiles were by the end of the week!

^{Photo credit: Screenshot from above video}