If the thermometer wasn't a good reminder that it's winter in Minnesota, maybe an igloo sighting would do the trick. The infamous Zippel Bay Resort igloo was spotted earlier this week on the lake. Do you know what that means? That's right winter has arrived, and it's time to get out and hit the hard water!

The resort posted the video back on Monday, with fingers crossed for a Tuesday/New Year's Eve opening. I've got to say it's still impressive to look at, no matter how many times I've seen it before.

The video was accompanied by the text:

Igloo Sighting! Remember the Igloo is closed Mondays. They'll be working hard to get it ready. Hoping for a Tuesday opening, will post more when it's official.

Get our free mobile app

Well the good news is that it later became official with the igloo all set for those who wander out on the lake for actual fishing or in some cases tales of fishing.

The igloo was indeed up and ready to go in time for folks to ring in the New Year.

Zippel Bay Resort is a year-round resort on Minnesota's Lake of the Woods, also known as the Walleye Capital of the World. The resort itself is a full-service resort that also offers year-round fishing.

The ice up there looks great! Closer to St. Cloud out on Lake Mille Lac, there have been some breakthroughs lately, with one happening just the other day according to a local towing company, Northland Towing out of Isle.

Going out on the ice, know this!

Remember if you are heading out onto any frozen lake this winter check the depth of the ice as you go. According to the Minnesota DNR, the ice thickness for a vehicle is 9-12" for a car, 13-17" for a truck and 20"+ for a heavy-duty truck with a wheelhouse.

The DNR adds "Many factors other than thickness affect ice strength, including air temperature, wind, snow, streams, narrow areas or bottlenecks, sun, shade, fish communities, plant decay, and more. When a layer of snow melts and refreezes on top of lake ice, it creates white ice, only about half as strong as new, clear ice. Double the above thickness guidelines when traveling on white ice."

If you are concerned about the ice, here's a tip. Make a hole next to the car. If water starts to overflow the top of the hole, the ice is sinking and it’s time to move the vehicle.