Woods & Water (267)
I truly have to believe that we have finally turned the corner and are actually headed into the summer season. Having survived a long winter of cold and snow I am actually excited to see what summer has in store.
I began filling the bird feeders early on in the spring and it has brought some good results, bringing numerous birds to the feeders this year and surprisingly enough there have been very few blackbirds around to torment me. I guess that the blackbirds and starlings are the Rodney Dangerfield’s of the bird world because they get no respect, at least not from me.
While I was up north a couple of weeks ago I had time to reflect on the wonders and beauty of nature and the wildlife that nature has blessed us with. Observing ducks, geese, loons, deer and other such critters in their natural habitat gives me that feeling that I am actually closer to nature. Now there is something about watching mallards walking down my sidewalk or sitting atop the neighbor’s roof that just doesn’t quite do it for me. The same can be said for Canadian geese walking down the sidewalk at Frank Hall Park. It just doesn’t quite give me that same feeling. Now if I drove a few miles to, say, Pickerel Lake and observed the same critters it would seem pristine and all back to nature-like. It’s funny how the same birds or animals put in a different environment can change a person’s perspective. Just a thought.
When I attended the Governor’s fishing opener in the Brainerd/Nisswa area a couple of weeks ago I was reminded of my days as a youth when I yearned to head north for a week; or in my fantasy it would be for a few weeks or more to bask in the beauty of the north woods. Today the area has changed some with many more opportunities to shop and dine but the beauty of the area has not changed.
Looking back at the many folks that I used to look to for fishing tips, whether it was magazine articles or fishing shows most of them seemed to originate from this area of the state. When traveling north with my grandson Dylan he would occasionally ask me if we were in the middle of nowhere yet? Well this area may not be in the middle of nowhere but whenever I was there or even just passing through it always symbolized “up north” to me. This has not changed today because there are just so many lakes and much forest land to accommodate any wants that a visitor to the area may desire.
When I look back at opening weekend and the few days following I am grateful for the weather that we had on opening day. The weather on opening day was almost perfect; except for the fish who seemed to have a severe case of “lockjaw”. On Sunday I headed north to the cabin to see if it had survived the winter in one piece. To my surprise there were no trees down, at least not blocking the driveway and everything seemed to be in order. At the end of the season we usually take home anything that may freeze over the winter so spring involves re-stocking the cabin with canned goods and other miscellaneous things we may need for the summer
Once at the cabin I unloaded the truck and filled the bird feeders even before I began putting things away. This is usually one of the first things that I do because it can sometimes take a day or two for the birds to discover the food. This time, however, they came almost immediately and wasted no time putting on the feed bag.
The weather that Sunday was ideal and I was able to sit back and watch as the birds literally “flocked” to the feeders. Once Sunday turned into night things changed and I awoke to cold temperatures and a steady rain with a few snowflakes thrown in, which persisted for the whole day and most of the next. My main goal for the next couple of days was to make sure that I had enough dry wood to keep the cabin nice and toasty, which it did. I have to say that our little wood stove keeps our cozy little cabin nice and comfortable.
If you have ever tented in weather like that (done that) you know that it is almost impossible to stay dry and warm when the weather stays damp and cold. Ahhh, those were the days – actually in looking back those were actually some very good times but, alas, the resilience of youth has long since been replaced by creaking joints, aching muscles and an appreciation for the warmth of a dry cabin with a warm fire.
A lot of folks have wondered what the reasoning was behind the DNR not opening up Albert Lea Lake and some others that had winter kill to promiscuous fishing. After speaking to a top DNR official at the opener he said that they have taken a more cautious approach to that issue because many lakes that have winter kill still have fish that survive. This year he said that the DNR only allowed promiscuous fishing on seven lakes in the state. He said reason for that change was that people would report lakes as freezing out when in reality there was some fish kill but not enough to kill off the lake.
Until next time; any time is a great time to enjoy a little fishing on one of our area lakes but no matter when or where you plan to fish be safe and if you’re in a boat be sure to wear your life jacket.
Have a safe Memorial Day and please remember those who served and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Brainerd/Nisswa goes all out for Governor’s opener
Written by Jim LutgensThis past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 67th Annual Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener in the Nisswa/Brainerd Lakes area. The community really went all out this year to showcase their area to the media and visitors for this weekend event. The opener was headquartered out of Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake and they did a super job, but unfortunately they couldn’t find Governor Dayton a walleye.
I have always been impressed by the community supper held on Friday evening. It is a free event that brings together not only media folks but families from the surrounding communities who are there to take it all in. I overheard one fellow saying to his wife, “I didn’t know dat dis event vas dis big.” A young father with three little kids was heard saying, “I can’t believe this is all free.” There are vendors passing out all sorts of free gifts to visitors. I am always impressed by the number of volunteers, the ones who make this weekend such a success. The process of hosting this event is not an easy task and it all starts at least a year ahead of time. This year there were not only many event organizers from the community but over 400 volunteers who gave their time to make this a very successful event.
Fishing generates an estimated $2.4 billion in direct retail sales annually in Minnesota, supporting 35,000 jobs statewide. It is estimated this weekend’s event will have brought in about $2 million in revenue to the Brainerd Lakes Area, which has the two largest chains of lakes in the Midwest with the Whitefish and Gull Lake chain of lakes. There are over 500 lakes in the area to pick from when choosing a vacation. No matter your outdoors preference, this area has it all. Not only does it offer a great area for summer vacation, it has great hunting, summer fishing tournaments and hosts the largest ice fishing contest in the world – the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza held in January on Gull Lake and benefits the Camp Confidence Learning Center on Gull Lake. The DNR stocks 2.8 million walleye annually in Gull Lake and has been home to some of the state’s most famous anglers; one such fisherman is Dan Eigen of the Nisswa-based Walleye Dan’s Guide Service, who was actually fishing with family the morning of the opener.
“The Brainerd Lakes Area is loaded with lakes that are full of many different species of fish and the area is also loaded with many talented fishermen/women,” Eigen said. “Because of the lakes and landscape, the BLA attracts people with a passion for the outdoors.”
Before he was an area resident, Eigen would come up on family vacations each summer. He said his favorite hangout spot was Marv Koep’s bait shop in Nisswa.
“I believe Marv Koep and his family were very instrumental for putting this area on the map and for spawning so many awesome fishermen/women,” Eigen said. “From Al and Ron Lindner, Gary Roach and the many, many fishing guides to Nick Adams and Lindy-Little Joe Tackle Company, Babe Winkleman, Lindner Media, In-Fisherman and loads of other people and companies that contribute to the fishing mecca that we are blessed to live right in the middle of.”
I once again met up with Jeff Anderson, a radio announcer and friend from Watertown, S.D. who I have fished with at this event for many years. After attending the community picnic we later paired up with our fishing host for Saturday’s event. This year we were paired with Dave Peterson, who has been a resident of this area his whole life and is an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman who was right there to volunteer his time putting up with two media guys for most of a day, which couldn’t have been an easy task.
He also said that he volunteers to help with the Ice Fishing Extravaganza each year. This past year they drilled 17,000 holes in about five hours; that’s a lot of drilling!
We didn’t exactly hammer the fish this trip and with the late ice-out the walleyes were actually spawning in many lakes. I did manage to catch a couple of small pike which kept the dreaded skunk away, but I don’t think Dave was impressed with my ability to catch that particular species. He did all he could to get Jeff a fish and eventually hooked a crappie and gave Jeff the rod telling him to reel. I wonder if he thought that fishing with us was like hosting a take-a-kid fishing event.
He told of how he grew up loving to fish and hunt and attributed that to his dad who he said was also his best friend. He said that he was so fish crazy as a kid that one day after a rain he ran home and got his fishing pole and began casting in the ditch that was filling up with rain water. He said he took some good natured ribbing from folks but took it all in stride. Dave said that as a kid he did yard work for different cabin owners and from time to time they would ask him where the fish were biting which led to him taking them fishing which in turn led to him becoming a fishing guide. He eventually had to get a “real” job but still has a guide service called Anglers Advantage Guide Services and does some guiding when time allows.
After spending most of a day with him I could tell that he is a true outdoorsman in every sense of the word. Besides fishing he loves to hunt almost any species and he bow hunts deer and also hunts bear, pheasant and turkey. Dave also raises and trains his own Labs and he said that hunting waterfowl is probably his favorite sport of all. Dave said that one of his most memorable experiences was a trip to Alaska a couple of years ago and a return trip is definitely on his wish list for the near future.
It didn’t take long to know that Dave is a true outdoorsman and that he is also concerned about the future of the outdoors when it comes to our youth. In the past he has invited groups of area youth to his land to experience deer hunting for the first time. I was truly glad to meet a person who is genuinely concerned about the future of our outdoors heritage and is doing his part to help. Getting more youth outdoors and away from the electronic media world that we find ourselves becoming slaves to is a big step towards preserving our outdoors heritage.
Until next time; remember that no matter how much things change we will always have the memories. This is indeed a great area of our state and I can’t think of a better place to start making new memories that will last a lifetime.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
It took me a while, but I do believe I have actually gotten excited about fishing. I’d guess the smell of dead fish that occasionally finds its way to our neighborhood from Albert Lea Lake when the wind is from the right (wrong) direction may have influenced my lack of exuberance for fishing. I do believe that I have now dealt with it and moved on and I can only hope the odor will soon do the same.
Spring is the season I always look upon as a re-birth of another season of outdoors activities. The smell of spring, especially after a rain, can be exhilarating, and coupled with a little sunshine, it will definitely put some extra spring in your step. It is funny how each season can actually have a smell all its own, although I still haven’t actually nailed down a sure-fire smell for winter yet. I’d guess that if you are outside in the late fall or winter and have a wood stove or fireplace blazing in the house or cabin, then the smell of that wood burning would symbolize winter for me.
The other day as I was driving around Fountain Lake I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of folks fishing by Blackmore Bridge and even from the shores of Dane Bay. The crappie fishing has been pretty good this spring which, no doubt, has re-kindled my excitement for fishing. I sometimes don’t believe that we appreciate how lucky we really are to live in a city that surrounds a pretty darned good fishing lake.
As a kid growing up north of town I can remember the excitement I felt when I was allowed to ride my bike to town for the first time with fishing pole in tow. I held a can of worms in one hand and fastened my fishing pole to the bike frame with the end sticking out in front, almost feeling like Sir Lancelot on a jest. My tackle box consisted of an old Buss fuse box with a couple of hooks and lead sinkers inside. I had a cork bobber or two in my pocket and 25 cents for a treat.
I would spend a good chunk of the day climbing around under the dam catching bluegills, crappies and bullheads. In the course of a day I would usually fish most of the shore from the dam to the beach. I can’t really remember ever getting hungry or thirsty until it was time to head home. I would quench my thirst with that ice cold water you could get at the creamery and for my 25 cents I would usually get a chocolate marshmallow sundae, my favorite.
Now that I am in fishing mode and anxious to make that first next cast, I will need to make sure all my reels have new line on them. Once that is done I will indeed be ready for “Mr. Lunker.” I usually spend a cold winter day or two cleaning my tackle box and putting new line on my reels, but this year I put it off and before I knew it the opener was here and nothing was done.
After attending the Governor’s Fishing Opener I will be heading north to the cabin for a few days to see how it fared in the hard winter that we have just put behind us. Fishing will not be my number one priority for this short stay but, knowing me, I will be wetting a line a couple of times if the ice is indeed out on the area lakes I like to fish. Just because the walleye and northern season is now, crappie and perch are still very good early-season table fare. My mouth starts to water when I just think about the sight of those tasty morsels browning in the skillet.
Each year as the time approaches to open the cabin I feel a little anxious in not knowing what I will find. I am hoping there are no trees down across the driveway or that one has not fallen on the cabin. In the past I have encountered numerous downed trees and some pretty near-misses when it comes to the cabin. Whatever little obstacles I may encounter I am looking forward to another fun year spending time in the north woods.
MUSKY TALK
The May meeting of Crossroads Chapter 54, Muskies Inc. will be held at 7 pm, Wednesday, May 14th at the Eagles Club in Owatonna.
Our speaker will be the new Fisheries Manager, for Waterville Fish Hatchery. Our meeting includes informative speakers, updates, door prizes, raffle and lot of musky talk. Need not be a member to attend. Bring a friend, help improve musky fishing in Southern Minnesota.
Until next time; any time is a great time to enjoy a little fishing on one of our area lakes but no matter when or where you plan to fish be safe and if you’re in a boat always wear your life jacket.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
As the fishing opener draws closer I can actually feel myself getting amped up about wetting a line. With the weather we have been having it has been pretty hard to get too excited about fishing and I don’t believe that I am the only one thinking like that. The good news is that this year the ice should be off of the lakes by the opener.
Once again I will be attending the Governor’s Opener and fishing on Gull Lake which is another lake that I have had the chance to fish before. The nice thing about having the opportunity to attend the annual governor’s opener each year is that it has allowed me to fish many different lakes that I may not have otherwise fished.
I am planning on heading up to my cabin for a few days right after participating in the Governor’s fishing opener. This year, as in the past couple of years, I will be making my first visit of the season to our cabin after attending the opener. This is an anxious time because there is always the question of what will be awaiting me. Some years I have been greeted by numerous downed trees and there is always the question of how the cabin weathered another harsh winter. Once I have taken care of any problems that my have arose and have put things away I will officially be ready to enjoy the upcoming season.
When we first had the cabin somewhat livable my two oldest grandsons, Trevor and Taylor would accompany me for a weekend in April just to check things out. This was before we had the wood stove so the only heat was a kerosene heater that wasn’t perfect but served the purpose. On those first couple of April trips we had no insulation in the floor, walls or ceiling so needless to say it was not going to receive a 5-star energy efficient rating. We actually had what I thought was going to be a traditional April trip going but alas it took the boys only a couple of years to decide that April was too early and too cold to be spending a short weekend at the cabin. I maybe don’t have that annual trip to look forward to anymore but I will always have pictures and some good memories to enjoy.
I am planning on purchasing a new ultra-light rod & reel for the upcoming season. Although my old one is still useable it is pretty much worn out and needs (?) to be replaced. It seems kind of funny to be saying that when I look back on my days as a kid when getting a new cane pole would have made me happy. I would have thought that it was my birthday or something if I would have gotten this old rod & reel back then.
When I look back on those days of my youth I always knew exactly when the opener was and somehow felt that all things were right with the world once the season opened. Now I can tell you that living north of town with only the “crick” and the slough to fish in afforded little or no access to the game fish that I held in high esteem. I would always hold on to that glimmer of hope that my Uncle Ben & Aunt Marcie would once again come through and ask me along on an up north vacation.
I can remember reading a story in a fishing magazine that had a story about fishing in up-state New York. It had a picture showing folks standing elbow to elbow while fishing steelhead in a river in New York State. I guess that this was the first time that I had thought of New York as someplace other than a big city.
I actually found this intriguing and this was also when I first learned from another article in the same magazine that there was a species of pike called the chain pickerel. Although chain pickerel are found in waters as far west as Texas, the species is mainly a resident of the East Coast, with thriving populations in numerous lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and rivers of the Mid-Atlantic and New England states from Maine to Virginia. Chain pickerel (Esox niger) aren’t generally held in as high regard as their bigger cousins, the pike and muskie.
One reason for the lack of acclaim may be the average size of pickerel. Most weigh less than two pounds. The all-tackle record, for example, is a 9-pound 6-ounce Georgia whopper caught in 1961. I found this interesting as a youth and it still interests me today. It has been many years since I have even thought about pickerel but I can recall the time when my mother’s cousin Elaine and her family visited from Canada and her son John told me about fishing pickerel. John was a little older than me and I was fascinated by the fact that he had fished for a species that I had only known existed for a short time. I suppose that you could say that the chain pickerel is to the pike family what the sauger is to the walleye.
Until next time, the opener is upon us so it’s time to enjoy some fishing on one of our great Minnesota lakes. No matter where you plan to fish be safe and if you’re in a boat be sure to wear your life jacket.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Now that the area lakes are free of ice the next thing on my wish list might just involve some sort of “magic” air freshener or maybe even a giant shop vac that could be used to rid Albert Lea Lake of all the dead fish. To say that it takes your breath away would be an understatement; especially when the wind is from the right (wrong) direction. Oh well, with any luck at all it will only take another week or two to rid the area of that toxic dead fish smell. Ahhh – the smell of spring is in the air!
The folks from the DNR were spotted depositing fish in Pickerel Lake earlier this week. I’d have to say it means that they are starting over, hopefully not totally from scratch. I really haven’t seen any dead fish along the shore of that lake but then I haven’t taken the time to investigate it too closely. I’d like to believe that the lake wasn’t a total loss and that some of the fish actually made it through the winter. At least Fountain Lake survived the hard winter that old mother nature seems determined to drag out for as long as possible.
Fountain Lake can be a good lake to fish early in the season but like so many area lakes as summer progresses the watercraft numbers also increase. Spending a relaxing day of fishing on the lake may become a little more difficult as summer progresses. I believe that the best time to fish many of these area lakes is early morning or late evening. Early morning will probably be best because most folks that ride jet skis or water ski don’t usually hit the lake at the crack of dawn. I look at it as peaceful co-existence because a lot of fishermen, like me, enjoy fishing in the early morning; so they can have their time and I can have mine.
I don’t know how many other lakes in our area have had a freeze but I have heard that Reed’s Lake by Elysian didn’t have a fish kill. This was my favorite opening day lake for many years and I would take the boys there almost every year until it became way too crowded. That was when I switched to Fountain and eventually I began spending every opening weekend attending the Governor’s opener.
If you are looking for an opening day lake I wouldn’t look past St. Olaf or Beaver Lakes which are close by and can offer some pretty good fishing. St. Olaf can be good for northern and panfish while Beaver may offer some good early season walleye action and later on the bass fishing can also be pretty good.
I will be attending the Governor’s Opener again this year and this year’s event will be held in the Brainerd area on Gull Lake. I have never fished Gull Lake so I am looking forward to yet another first time event. Each year I always look forward to visiting new areas of the state while attending the Governor’s fishing event. The Governor’s Fishing opener is actually more about promoting a certain area of the state and Minnesota Tourism in general than it is about fishing.
This year’s event is being held in one of the more popular vacation areas of the state. Brainerd is reasonably close to the Twin Cities so with the busy lifestyles of today’s world driving a couple of hours for a weekend of fun on the water can seem pretty appealing.
For many years I had heard about the Whitefish Chain of lakes in that area so one year we decided to check it out. My wife Jean and I along with the two boys joined our friends Kenny and Georgette and their two kids for a week of fishing and camping. I soon found out that my little 14-ft. car topper boat looked totally out of place alongside all of those big cruisers that seemed to take pleasure in making us look like a crappie bobber bouncing on the high seas.
I can remember this one guy in particular who seemed to take great pleasure in trying to rock our boat. He was an older guy with a super-tan and he had two young bikini clad women laughing with him as he kept circling our boat in his big cruiser all the while raising his drink in his hand. After he had gone around for the second time and we were trying to keep the boat from swamping I reached for my giant “Husky Devil” Daredeville spoon which I was hoping to bounce off his tanned forehead. Luckily for one of us he must have had enough fun so he turned and took off for another part of the lake to impress someone else no doubt. An experience like this can sour a guy on ever returning to a certain area of the state for a “fun filled” vacation. I will just have to keep reminding myself about the “one bad apple” ism.
I have never really been one for fishing in crowds anyway so that probably explains why I like fishing those quiet little lakes in our part of northern Minnesota. There are many times when I will be the only boat on the lake so I only have the wildlife to share a sunset with. Now that’s what I’m talking about!
Until next time; check the old tackle box; re-string your reels and plan on spending some time fishing one of our great Minnesota lakes.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
This time of year, thoughts drift to camping, fishing
Written by Jim LutgensI have spoken with a few folks this week who have said the trout fishing over east was actually pretty good. This is still a good option for anyone who has that “fishing itch” that really needs to be scratched. I have also heard reports folks were catching some nice crappie and sunfish in Edgewater Bay just before ice-out. This news was enough to stoke the fire in my fishing furnace and make me feel like all is not lost when it comes to fishing area lakes. I have also heard reports of many dead game fish lining the shores of Madison Lake. I can truthfully say I have never heard of that particular lake ever freezing out before.
With the promise of warmer weather being dangled in front of our noses like the proverbial carrot, I am optimistic the fishing and camping season is just around the corner.
I know of some folks who have just gotten interested in camping in the past couple of years. When my wife Jean and I were first married we would get together with some friends and go camping not only on the three summer holidays, but for a week of vacation at a time. We went up north with a group of friends quite a few times and we also made it to the Ozarks and the Black Hills.
While we were in the Black Hills we stayed at Custer State Park and I of course, never leave home without my fishing gear so I had a little fishing plan in place. With the purchase of a 24-hour license, we were able to fish for trout in Stockade Lake. We managed to catch a lot of nice trout that day and finished the day with a meal of trout cooked on the grill. There were also some nice largemouth bass in the lake and we also managed to land a few of them. The boys from time to time will bring up the incident where I had laid my fishing pole down to help take a fish off someone’s hook when a fish grabbed my bait and started dragging my pole into the water. They thought it was just hilarious when old dad was scrambling and diving on his belly to catch the pole just before it disappeared into the lake. Comedy act aside, I would definitely recommend taking at least one family vacation to the Black Hills. Camping and family vacations are great memory makers and those memories can be revisited as often as you like.
We Minnesotans are lucky we have so many state parks with campgrounds we can enjoy almost any time of year. There are also many National Forest campgrounds scattered around the northern part of our great state that we have available to us. The cost of camping at these campgrounds is very reasonable and I just can’t think of a better way to experience the Great Minnesota Outdoors.
Minnesota state parks offer first-time camping experiences for families
People who have never pitched a tent or cooked over a fire — or who have forgotten how — can practice these and other outdoor skills when they sign up for one of the 24 “I Can Camp!” programs offered this summer at state parks and recreation areas.
The first programs take place Saturday, June 7, at Nerstrand Big Woods and Wild River state parks, both within an hour of the Twin Cities.
“Camping is fun, and it’s a longstanding Minnesota tradition,” said Eric Pelto, who coordinates the “I Can Camp!” programs for the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division.
All camping equipment is provided (including tents, air mattresses and cook stoves) at these beginner-level programs. Participants need only bring their own food and bedding (sleeping bags or blankets and pillows).
“Our ‘I Can Camp!’ instructors will be on hand to help families with everything from tent set-up to meal preparation,” Pelto said. “They’ll also try to make sure everyone has fun by providing opportunities to try geocaching, digital photography and other activities.”
One-night workshops ($40 for up to six people in a tent) are scheduled on most Saturdays in June, July and August. Eight two-night workshops ($60 for up to six people in a tent) are also available for families who want a more complete weekend camping experience.
Reservations are required and can be made online or by phone, www.mndnr.gov/reservations, or 866-857-2757, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, excluding holidays.
These programs are made possible with support from the Parks and Trails Fund, created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in November 2008. The Parks and Trails Fund receives 14.25 percent of the sales tax revenue and may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.
Find more information, including dates and locations online or contact the DNR Information Center at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 651-296-6157, or 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Until next time enjoy the more spring-like weather and make some plans for spending some time in our great Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
I have been walking pretty much every morning lately trying to get back in the groove after a long winter. Each morning, as it has for many years, my walk eventually takes me past the boat landing at Frank Hall Park. While walking along the channel in early morning everything seems pretty normal for this time of year; the ducks and geese are abundant and this past week the pelicans returned which, to me, is a sure sign that we have turned the corner into the next season. The birds have returned to my feeder and robins are busily searching for building materials for their nests. The only downside to this is the eventual return of the blackbirds, which seem capable of emptying a feeder with about one day’s worth of piranha-like eating.
This year while walking along the channel, I get that empty feeling that one gets when things aren’t just quite right. This may have something to do with the sight and smell of the hundreds of dead fish that have piled up at the landing, along with debris left by those that don’t seem to care. It is disturbing to see the litter that accumulates on our shores after a winter that has left behind not only dead fish but discarded drink containers, styrofoam bait containers and other refuse. The feeling I experienced when seeing this for the first time reminded me of that old TV commercial where the elderly Indian chief had a tear trickling down his cheek as he sat atop his horse while looking down upon a valley full of litter and toxic waste. Some things like a winter fish kill are acts of nature, but there are many things man can do to help create a healthy environment. I don’t feel a true sportsman would discard his trash into our waters or parks and roadside ditches.
We really need to be responsible for cleaning up after ourselves and help preserve our natural resources and, if everyone just did their part, there probably wouldn’t be a need to put up any of those Adopt a Highway signs.
I also have to wonder if the dead fish in the channel are going to be cleaned up or will it be a “natural” cleanup over time. The sad part about all of this is we have gone through it before in past years and it is always hard to watch. Another sad part of the picture is the winter kill that took place in Pickerel Lake after that lake was just starting to flourish. I know the DNR has plans to re-stock Albert Lea Lake, but I haven’t heard anything about Pickerel as of yet. It is always tough to see our lakes take a step backwards after just coming into their own as good fishing lakes.
Luckily for us, Fountain Lake was not affected by a winter kill so there should be some good fishing when it comes to perch, crappie and sunfish. The northern pike population has been revitalized and there are also walleye, bass and catfish to be had.
If you are itching to wet a line, trout fishing opened this past Saturday so you may want to take a little drive to the east and try your luck in one of the many streams in that part of the state.
The streams of Southeastern Minnesota are very different from North Shore streams. Most rise from springs and thus are cool in summer. The limestone and alluvial soils in drainages make the streams hard, nonacidic, alkaline and very productive. Whereas the North Shore streams have relatively few aquatic insects, the Southeast streams produce frequent hatches of mayflies, caddis flies and midges — all providing food for trout.
Nonetheless, Southeast trout streams do have problems, most related to agriculture. Fence-to-fence grain farming on the uplands and pasturing of the river bottoms contribute to land erosion and sedimentation of the streambeds. This fine sediment covers the gravel runs and riffles that trout need to spawn and invertebrates need to survive. The clearing of shoreline trees takes away the underwater root wads and fallen trees in which trout find cover from current and predators.
Brown trout are the trout best suited to the Southeast streams. In the best of these rivers, such as Trout Run (in Winona and Fillmore counties), browns are self-sustaining. In other streams, such as the South Branch of the Whitewater, natural reproduction is augmented with stocking. In a few streams, spawning habitat is extremely limited, and the trout fishery is maintained entirely by stocking. Most people fishing these streams would regard a 14-inch brown as large, though some trout occasionally exceed eight pounds.
Some small Southeast tributaries support wild brook trout; other streams are stocked with brookies. Some strains of rainbow trout have been tried in these creeks. Unfortunately, rainbows tend to migrate to larger, less suitable water so success with this species has been limited.
Until next time, enjoy the more spring-like weather and make some plans for spending some time in our great Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
There is one thing that almost everyone that I have talked to in the last month is ready for and that is summer. No matter what the temperature is or the weather is like at this time of the year there is one thing that can possibly make it just a little more bearable and that is thinking about or even planning a camping trip, family vacation or just looking forward to summer activities in general.
When I look back at the many years that our family spent camping and fishing together it gives me a good feeling. Although I know that I cannot physically relive those days the memories that I have are priceless. On more than one occasion I have found myself chuckling to myself when thinking of something funny that happened on one of our many camping trips.
I know that my love for camping first started when I was a youth who had, for all practical purposes only an imagination and a true love for the outdoors. I recall one time when few of us neighbor kids had decided that we wanted to sleep outside and the only tent that we had was one that we had made from an old flannel bed sheet thrown over the clothesline in our back yard with another blanket spread out on the ground for a floor and old sheets clothes pinned to the ends for doors. My mother had helped me make my first clothesline tent when I was a little younger but I had only played in it and not slept in it so now it was for real. The sheets and blankets were the same ones that my mother would use to cover her flowers and garden to protect them from an early frost.
Sleeping outside meant that we would be able to play outdoors later than usual and that also meant that we could play cowboys and Indians in the dark which was always fun. Tag was another good game to play at night and it didn’t even require any arguing about who shot who first. I am sure that playing these games today would get us in trouble with the ethics police and pointing a loaded finger and going “bang” might result in jail time. It seems like no matter what game we played every one of us would interpret the rules just a little bit differently; I guess that was just part of being kids.
Everything seemed to be going along pretty well until we got tired and decided to try and get some sleep. We didn’t have sleeping bags so we had to take blankets and pillows from our houses. Eventually we would settle in for the night in our makeshift tent with a trusty flashlight serving as a lantern. The sound of crickets chirping would be drowned out only by the buzzing of mosquitoes. Now you need to realize that a blanket tent is not mosquito proof so there was really not much separating us from the pesky critters of the night. On those warm summer evenings the dew would set in at dusk causing the blankets and pillows to become damp and clammy.
Eventually I would start to thinking about how nice it would be if I was laying in my dry bed inside our mosquito free house. No one ever wanted to be the first one to crack so we laid there sweating and swatting mosquitoes hoping that sleep would finally come and put us out of our misery. Once the blankets and pillows were soaked with dew you knew that it would be a long night unless somebody buckled under the pressure. If one of us were to bring up the fact that there were way too many mosquitoes or that it was too damp we were all on board with the idea of heading indoors.
The following day we would usually talk about our camping adventure as if we had survived a night in the north woods fending off wolves, bears and mountain lions. This is what kids did when they needed little more than a good imagination to entertain themselves.
The Minnesota DNR has issued the following news release which I think is pretty exciting and would be unique to this area of the state.
DNR proposes reintroducing bison to Minneopa State Park
The Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division is proposing to reintroduce bison to Minneopa State Park, near Mankato, and is seeking public comments on a draft management plan amendment for the park.
The amendment describes the impacts and opportunities created by the reintroduction of bison for resource management, interpretive services, recreation and visitor services at the park. Citizens can ask questions or submit comments until Monday, May 5.
As part of the public review, DNR staff will hold an open house at the Blue Earth County Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mankato, on Tuesday, April 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., for anyone interested in providing comments about the draft management plan amendment.
The draft management plan amendment is available for review online.
Copies of the plan will also be available to review at the DNR regional headquarters in New Ulm (at 261 Hwy. 15 S.), and at the office at Minneopa State Park, 5 miles west of Mankato off U.S. Highway 169 in Blue Earth County (at 54497 Gadwall Road.).
Minneopa State Park, established in 1905, contains southern Minnesota’s largest waterfall and the remains of the historic Seppmann Mill. The park encompasses 2,691 acres of which 1,653 are owned and managed by the DNR. Park facilities include a campground, group camps, picnic areas, a visitor center, and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Those unable to review and comment on the draft amendment at the open house can submit comments via phone or email to Jade Templin at 651-259-5598 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Until next time, think spring and start planning that next family vacation or camping trip - even if it’s just in the backyard. If you take advantage of our many state parks and national forest campgrounds it will enhance the experience of spending time in our great Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
It seems as though in the past couple of years “old man winter” has been determined to make sure that we will not forget him. Last year I fished the opener on a lake that was still half ice covered and now we are experiencing below average temperatures for this time of year. Almost everyone that you speak to these days says they are ready for summer and they wonder if winter will ever end? I guess that’s just speaking Minnesotan!
Although I’ve never been fortunate enough to visit Alaska I usually speak with my brother-in-law Lynn Johnson, who is from Nome, Alaska at least a couple of times a week. Those conversations usually make me feel a little better about our weather here in Minnesota. The last couple of years, however, it seems as if we have been getting Nome weather and they have been experiencing Southern Minnesota type weather. When we were going through that run of below zero weather Lynn would call periodically to remind me that it was in the 30’s in Nome. This coincides with our runs of 90 degree weather when he would make sure that I knew it was also beastly hot in Nome – 70 and sunny to be exact.
This winter he said that he was actually wishing for a little more snow which I believe they have finally been getting in the past few weeks. Lynn likes to hunt, fish and trap in the winter months so a normal Alaskan winter is something that he looks forward to. Lynn told me that he has set out a few beaver traps and has also put out a few crab pots that have already yielded some results. Last year he caught quite a few fox so I had to ask him if he had any plans on trapping them this year. He told me that there haven’t been as many fox around this year as there were last year and the weather just hadn’t been all that cooperative.
This past weekend he and his wife Margaret, who everyone calls Sister set out on a snowmobile trip to hunt caribou and do a little fishing. They went north out of Nome heading to their cabin in a remote part of the area. After going about 70 miles they arrived at the village of White Mountain which is still about 30 miles from the cabin. He was pulling a sled with provisions on it and when he came to a stop the sled he was towing jackknifed and he ended up rolling the snow machine busting the windshield. Luckily he wasn’t injured and with the help of the store owner was able to upright the machine and fix it. After filling it with gas and oil they were once again on their way.
After they had settled in at the cabin they went hunting for caribou and managed to bag one. Most of their time, however, was spent fishing which he said proved to be the best ice fishing he has had in few years. They caught some dandy pike, limited out on grayling and also caught some ling cod. He said that they had a great meal of fish while they were there and knowing the way that Sister can cook I don’t have any doubt about that.
After a couple of days they headed to Gallivan which is Sister’s home town and where her mother still resides. Gallivan was 56 miles by snow machine from the cabin. They spent that night at Gallivan and then started the 92 mile trip back to Nome.
Along the way they broke the hitch for towing the sled at least twice. Lynn was able to use a rope to connect the sled to the snow machine and make it work the rest of the way back to Nome. With all the trouble that they were having it took them about 5 hours to get home.
The first thing that Lynn did after getting back to Nome was check his crab pots. He said he had caught a few but was optimistic that using some better bait (herring) would get him some better results. I am looking forward to getting a picture of a “full” crab pot in the near future.
Lynn retired in February and if you are retired and an outdoorsman like him there couldn’t be a better place to spend your time. I have always considered myself a fairly active outdoorsman but I have to believe that Lynn takes it to another level. Many of the experiences that he has had would seem more like an adventure than an experience.
Lynn also has a plane (or two or three) and flies quite a bit in the summer. Along with flying his boat is always a big part of his summer and he uses it to fish and it also helps him get to hunting areas that are more easily accessed by water. I do believe that if you made a documentary about some of Lynn’s “adventures” it would be a pretty darned good one.
Until next time, it’s spring (according to the calendar) so get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
I was having coffee the other day with a couple of friends when my pal Russ and I began reminiscing about some of our experiences. I always love taking a step back in time to remember the good times, and occasionally someone will bring up an instance that was not all that memorable.
In this case however, it was all good and definitely something we both can sit back and laugh at. It was late June in the summer of ’76 and my wife Jean was about a month away from giving birth to our second son, Brad. The previous year we vacationed with Russ and his wife Sue at Big Sand Lake in Northern Minnesota. Because of the impending birth of our next child, we felt it would not be wise to venture too far from home.
Sue’s parents had a cabin on Lake Tetonka in Waterville and they were nice enough to let us stay there for a week. I had brought my little 14-ft. car-topper boat along, so after we had settled in Russ and I in all of our wisdom had decided we would carry that light little boat down the steep hill to the lake. Now this seemed like it would be a piece of cake for two intelligent, strong, agile and macho guys like us, so off we went. The boat only weighed 110 lbs., so there should be nothing to it. Somewhere between the top and the first landing we discovered that even a light boat was still shaped like a boat and navigating around bushes and tree branches was no easy task. Have you ever started to do something and then about halfway into it realize that it may not have been all that good of an idea? Did I mention macho?
After wrestling that boat down the hill we came through almost unscathed except for a few scratches and scrapes from the branches. Now all we had to do was carry the motor down and we would be fishing before you knew it. I have to say that even though the motor was heavy, it was easier to carry than that little boat.
It was pretty warm out and after that workout a nice shower was looking pretty good to us. Unfortunately, the water heater was on the blink so it was a cold shower or no shower. After resisting the urge to take a cold shower, it was finally time to face reality and jump in with guns a blazing. No blazing there; those cold streams of water coming out of the nozzle felt like needles being stuck into your body. I believe it was the coldest water I had ever felt so it was in and out without spending a lot of time getting wet. Did I forget to mention macho?
Once we were settled in, we began fishing and right away we began to catch some nice striped bass. We caught quite a few fish that week, which made overcoming a few obstacles almost worthwhile. One morning when Russ and I were out we started catching walleye, but they were just a little too small. It was kind of unique because I’ve never had a whole school of walleye follow my lure all the way to the boat like they did in that instance.
There was another time when Russ and I decided to take a short trip to a little lake not too far from Tetonka. The lake is named Fish Lake and is located just west of Tetonka Lake. It is a small, very clear lake that has bass, northern, crappie and a lot of small sunnies in it. The lake also has a horsepower restriction limiting motor size to 10 hp or less.
Once we launched the boat I decided to troll and I put on my favorite bait at the time; a Beetle Spin tipped with a minnow. Russ was using an old gray (it was once white) twister tail with about half a dozen split shot located about 8 inches from the jig. Upon seeing that, I just shook my head and mentioned to Russ that I really didn’t see him catching anything with that rig. He just shrugged it off and went on fishing, saying that it would be just fine. Now I, after all, was the one that had a subscription to In-Fisherman magazine and had pretty much put Al Linder on a pedestal, so I should know what I was talking about ,but I just left him alone thinking he’d change when I was catching all the fish. Did I mention macho?
Unfortunately for me, as the day unfolded, it was Russ that was reeling in fish after fish while I dragged the same dead minnow around all day. After that day I no longer offer up any “free” advice unless I am asked first. Sometimes no matter how much you think you might know about fishing (Did I mention macho?) there is just no way of knowing what will work on any given day. Russ said he finally lost that old Twister a few years ago. Thanks, Russ!
Until next time, it’s spring so get out and enjoy the outdoors so you can start making a few memories of your own.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
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At times the world around us seems to be changing at a pace that some of us older folks might have a hard time keeping up with. Change is always inevitable but in this world of change some things remain constant; the excitement in a child’s eyes when they catch their first fish or see a deer standing at the edge of a forest. The wonders of nature still hold many mysteries for a child to explore that they won’t discover sitting in front of a computer or TV. This is a world that we as adults can introduce them to through hunting, fishing or camping. Taking them on a long bike ride on one of the many trails that we have in this great state is a great way to get close to nature and the great outdoors.
As an adult I have never been a great bike enthusiast but I can see where it could be very enjoyable, not to mention a great way to exercise. What better way to get that close to the outdoors feeling than to ride a bike on a beautiful summer’s day. Can you see where I’m going with this? Welcome spring and summer!
As a kid growing up north of town I didn’t have the luxury of going from point A to point B in a car or SUV; my usual mode of transportation was walking or my trusty bike. As I grew older I was allowed to venture further away from the homestead on my bike and eventually take a trek to town or to a friend’s house a few miles away.
The first bike that I had was an old Schwinn that had belonged to my Uncle Lloyd. It was one that had come equipped with a headlight and I am sure it was the Rolls Royce of bikes in its day. At the time I was actually too small to ride it and it was pretty rusty which must have curbed my enthusiasm to try riding it. I never did ride that bike much but looking back it would probably bring a good price on American Pickers. On one of my birthdays I finally got a bike that I could ride, a brand new Coast-to-Coast bike that was shiny new and just my size. I had to learn to ride a bike on the grass in my yard and on the gravel road that ran alongside our house because I was forbidden to ride on the blacktop.
As I grew older I was eventually allowed to ride it to town. On one of my trips I had stopped at Russell’s Toyland to check out the latest race cars and Army men and when I came out someone had stolen it! I was devastated to say the least but after a few days it was found by someone and turned in to the Police Station. Whoever had taken it took the time to slash the tires before dumping it in the lake. For a naive country boy who was surrounded with kids that always respected one another’s property this was a serious blow to my trust in human nature. Those darned city kids anyway!
Getting back to the fun of bike riding it was a way of being independent and opened up a whole new world. I can’t remember how many times I would ride to my friend Jim Foleys place and spend a Saturday playing in the hay barn or exploring some nearby woods or creek. This was indeed a great way to spend a day and thanks to my bike I felt like I could go just about any place that I wanted to. Hammer Road was gravel at the time so that was always a little challenging if you happened to hit a mound of loose gravel.
Having a bike to ride to town opened up a whole new outdoors world for me. I would grab my fishing pole, put a small container of sinkers and hooks in my pocket and dig some earth worms for bait. An old Buss fuse box would usually hold enough hooks and sinkers to last the day. I would carry the worms in an old tin can and with nail and hammer I’d put a hole on opposite sides so that I could make a handle with a piece of baling wire so that it would fit over my handle bars.
I don’t know how many times that I came home with my prized stringer of dead bullheads and sunfish in tow. My mother would roll her eyes when she saw the stringer but would clean the fish with me after making sure that we only kept the “fresh” ones. The rest of them were buried in the garden in the back yard. I can remember how proud I felt when riding along Bridge Avenue with a stringer of bullheads dangling from the handle bars. I eventually figured out that keeping those fish wasn’t as much fun as catching them and releasing them for another time. Those were just simpler times with kids making their own fun with what they had available to them. What we had available to us back then was what nature has given us and the challenge to use our imagination. For as much as things are different today we still have plenty of opportunities to step away from all of our electronic toys and take a little time to enjoy our natural resources. We really do need to pause and spend a little quality outdoors time with our youth because they hold the future of the outdoors in their hands.
Until next time, get out and enjoy the outdoors and start making a few memories of your own.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Let’s talk about the weather; a subject that I’ve probably written about too many times already. The local weather forecast for last Tuesday evening was originally 1-3 inches of the white stuff then it changed to 2-4 and ended up being anywhere from 10-12 depending what area of the county you reside in. I’m beginning to think that the forecast changes when the original max has been reached and it’s still snowing at which time a revision is necessary. I guess that blaming the poor weatherman really wouldn’t change anything but the only thing that I do know for certain is that I am running out of places to put all that white stuff. If we were located back east 10 inches of snow would be national news although we did make the CBS evening news on Wednesday they didn’t put a name tag on it but in our fair state of Minnesota that much snow is just considered business as usual.
After watching some area fishermen scramble to get their fish houses extracted from area lakes in an attempt to meet the deadline I am glad that I don’t have a “permanent” house for ice fishing. I have often wondered why the word “permanent” is used when describing a structure that sits on a lake for only a few months and has to be removed after a certain date. Just saying.
After the houses have been removed and last rites have been offered up for most of the fish in our area lakes we are truly in that “dead zone’ between hard water fishing and open water fishing. I’d guess that this is the time of year when I really get excited about restocking the tackle box and this year is promising to be even better for me because I have decided that it is time to invest in a new light-action rod & reel. I do have to admit that the thought of buying new fishing gear has always made it seem like there is a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to winters end. I guess that it is kind of like anticipating a summer vacation while shoveling the driveway. It keeps me motivated and even a March snowfall cannot dampen my spirits because I know that spring is indeed just around the corner – isn’t it?
I can remember when we first moved to our current residence and our next door neighbor, at the time, was taking a March trip to “The River” in search of the wily walleye. I looked at him and thought to myself; there’s still snow on the ground are you nuts? After a couple of years I figured it out; it was just his way of trying to hasten the onset of spring if only in his mind. There were times when I have fished in weather that was cold, windy, rainy or even snowy. There are still times when you will find me on the lake in these conditions but that is usually on the opener or late in the fall when I take my annual October trip north.
For some reason I can usually justify, in my mind, being there at those times because it’s the opener or I am enjoying a late fall fishing excursion with a son, a grandson or both. I enjoy the governor’s openers because I can connect with old friends and make new ones and the short time spent fishing in a certain area of the state can be very rewarding. Each area of the state that hosts that opener has its own unique story in itself and I am there to enjoy the area and share that experience with my readers.
My son Brian and I have, for many years, done an October hunting and fishing trip to our cabin in the Marcell area. I don’t really believe that there is a better time of the year to spend a few days in that beautiful area of the state than the fall. We are fortunate in that we have a little cabin in the woods to go to. This was always a dream of mine and it wouldn’t have happened if Brian hadn’t asked me if I wanted to go in with him and look for some land in that area. After searching all summer we found the spot we wanted (and could afford) on a small lake. It has taken us quite a few years to get to the point we are at now because we had to clear the heavily wooded land for the driveway and then clear a spot for the cabin which we built ourselves over the course of time. It is still a work in progress but it was well worth it because when I reflect back on it this is something that Brian, my son Brad and my grandsons built with our own hands. Over the years when our grandsons were not helping work on the cabin they were spending many fun-filled days fishing, swimming and hunting on our little lake or on one of the many lakes in the area. When I close my eyes I can still hear their laughter coming from the lake or see them sitting around the evening campfire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. This is truly what makes it much more than just a little cabin in the woods.
Until next time, chin up! Spring is just around the corner – even if it doesn’t seem like it.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Picture this: a warm evening breeze gently brushes your face as it pushes your bobber along ever so gently atop the ripples in the water. Suddenly, the bobber disappears out of sight while the drag on your reel begins to scream as if begging you to set the hook. Once you set the hook, the fight is on and you know the only thing keeping that fish on the end of your line is the drag on your reel and your ability to keep the rod tip up. Finally, after a long and successful battle, the fish is in the net.
Are you as ready to play out this scenario as I am? Yes, cabin fever has reached epidemic proportions for most of us and it seems as if there is no end in sight. Well, maybe it is time to do something about it. I find that watching any number of fishing shows to pacify you can help, but for me the one thing that seems to ease the pain of the fever is taking inventory of my fishing tackle while all the while visualizing in my mind when and where I will be able to use this certain lure or that jig.
With the weather seemingly mired in the neverending funk of our recent hard winter, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of the reality that it is already March and spring, for all practical purposes, is looming on the horizon. The expiration of the 2013 fishing license signifies the official closing of the 2013 fishing season. You can still ice fish for panfish and perch, but you must purchase your 2014 fishing license in order to continue to do so.
As of yet I have not been able to, nor have I, had the desire to take that trip a few miles to the north to replenish my tackle box. That day is, however, fast drawing nearer, but first I must inventory the tackle boxes and sort through the many old chewed on and faded twister tails that I seem reluctant to part with. Each lure in my tackle box can hold a fishing memory but plastic; not so much. The color combinations remind me of times when one certain jig/twister combo has been deadly for a certain species at a certain time, but there really shouldn’t be any sentimental value there Yes, I am kind of a pack rat when it comes to tackle because I really hate to throw anything away; must be my Norwegian upbringing that tells me to waste nothing. I can still hear my mother telling me to “clean your plate, do you know how many starving children there are in China?” I’d guess that there are probably not as many as there was when that phrase was coined. This probably explains why my folks never threw away used nails because, with a little straightening, they could be used again. “Waste not want not” was the motto, so I think I’m on to something there, but unfortunately the old saying about old dogs and new tricks might be applicable in my case. If you want further evidence, I have a small garage cluttered with meaningless junk that is there because I needed one of these 30-years ago and I might need it again someday.
Getting back to cabin fever; I really believe that doing a little daydreaming can do wonders for a person’s mental wellbeing during these cold, windy winter days that we have been mired in. I will often enjoy sitting back in the old easy chair sipping a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with music playing and eyes closed all the while envisioning myself sitting on a lake watching a bobber or casting the shoreline in search of that lunker that is lurking just below the safety of a dead tree branch.
Another good way to get ready for spring is to attend sports shows or a meeting of a sportsmen’s group like the Southern Crossroads 54 Chapter of Muskies Inc. The chapter’s 54 annual nanquet is Wednesday, March 12, at Owatonna Eagles Club. 6 p.m. social hour, 7 p.m. dinner. Fun, door prizes, raffles, silent and live auction, lots of musky talk. Our informative speaker will be Josh Borovsky, a professional guide. He also fishes the PMTT (Professional Musky Tournament Trail). Tickets are $25 per person, kids 12 year and under free, with adult. Tickets in advance (call 507-456-6598) or at the door. Open to all, you need not be a member to attend. Bring a friend; help improve musky fishing in Southern Minnesota.
Until next time, stay warm and do what you can to avoid the dreaded cabin fever.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
There are many things to think about while anticipating the coming of the “big blizzard,” but the National Weather Service has come up with another one. It seems that they have been naming winter storms (mostly when they affect the Eastern states) which tells me that they have too much time on their hands. As I patiently await the onset of the blizzard I am trying to think of a fitting name for it. A few of the names that come to mind are Ole, Sven and Lars and, for the sake of gender equity, Lena and Olga could be thrown into the mix. Looking back a few years (quite a few) to when I was in school, it seems like there were a lot more winter storms but there were less school closings. I can remember listening to the radio and hearing that school was still on and buses would be running on plowed roads only. I can also never recall closings being announced a day ahead of time, but the media services we have available today make that information more readily available. I don’t think folks today suffer from “chicken little” syndrome, but with that information they are just more cautious.
The DNR has issued the following news release pertaining to winter kill which may be of interest to many area fishermen.
Cold weather causing winterkill on some southern Minnesota lakes
An especially cold winter is showing its effects around some southern Minnesota shallow lakes and ponds with dead or dying fish. In most cases it is the result of a normal process known as “winterkill,” according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Shallow lakes in southern Minnesota with an average depth of less than six feet are most susceptible.
Winterkill conditions are created when sunlight is unable to penetrate the ice, and oxygen levels in the water drop, said Craig Soupir, Waterville area fisheries supervisor. Fish may be unable to survive in these low oxygen conditions. “Lack of sunlight limits oxygen production in some aquatic plants and at the same time, decomposing aquatic plant matter causes a drop in oxygen,” Soupir said. “When this process occurs under ice cover it can cause fish to become stressed and, if severe enough, to suffocate.”
Winterkill is a natural process that can actually benefit a lake. In lakes with high numbers of carp, for example, periodic winterkill can thin out their numbers and create a void in the fish community. This void is often is followed by improved water clarity, increased aquatic vegetation and a re-introduction of native game fish species.
Soupir said populations of game fish can sometimes rebound quite dramatically in years following winterkill. Increased production from existing fish, rapid growth of stocked fish and improved survival of young fish can all contribute to a lake that can quickly become productive to anglers.
It is not unusual for lakes in Southern Minnesota to experience some winterkill on an annual basis. However, the severity of winterkill varies greatly depending on factors such as snow depth and length of time snow covers the ice, lake depths, water inflows and the rate at which oxygen drops over time. Most often, winterkill events on these shallow basins are partial and rarely do all fish in a lake die.
“Fish can become trapped in an area of the lake with low oxygen, causing a partial winterkill,” Soupir said. “This doesn’t mean the entire lake has winterkilled.” Many times, schools of fish find refuge in other areas of a lake with sufficient oxygen levels to survive. Just because one part of a lake shows signs of winterkill, does not automatically mean the entire lake has winterkilled.
The fishery in some lakes known as “boom and bust” lakes is specifically managed around winterkill. These shallow lakes typically have high survival rates of stocked fish, which grow rapidly and provide quick turnaround for anglers. These lakes rely on frequent winterkills, which may happen every four or five, years, to reset the lake and allow the fish population to achieve its boom times of quality-sized fish.
While some larger and deeper lakes in southern Minnesota have installed aeration systems to reduce the probability of winterkill effects, aerated lakes are still susceptible to winterkill. Attempts to aerate very shallow lakes often do not work well for maintaining a fishery.
Some species of fish are more vulnerable to winterkill than others, Soupir said. Trout require the most oxygen and start to stress at oxygen levels below 5.0 parts per million (ppm). Bluegill and largemouth bass are moderately sensitive to lower oxygen levels. Walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, carp and crappie species have intermediate tolerances and have been shown to survive winters with oxygen levels down to about 1.0 ppm for long periods of time. Bullheads and fathead minnows are the most tolerant of low oxygen and are the last to survive.
“We don’t usually see winterkill until oxygen levels fall well below 1.0 ppm for several days throughout a lake,” Soupir said.
He added that in the late winter, species such as northern pike have a tendency to seek open water areas as an impulse to their early migratory spawning run to shallow water or flooded inlets.
Anyone observing dead or struggling fish should report their findings to the local DNR fisheries office. Note the species and approximate numbers and sizes of each kind of fish. The information will help the DNR identify which lakes experienced winterkill and the extent in conjunction with ice-out netting assessments and observations. Follow-up stocking of fish may ensue, if consistent with DNR lake-specific management plans.
For more information, contact a DNR area fisheries office.
Until next time, stay warm and get out when you can and enjoy a little Minnesota winter fun.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.