It is slowly creeping closer and closer. I’m talking about the opener of course. It’s really not that far off.

What great weather we’ve had the past week and to think the ice is already off of our area lakes. Now is the time to wet a line and get some early-season crappie or maybe some of those jumbo perch that I know lurk in most area lakes.

I talked about the bullhead last week and I regret to report that I never had the chance to wet a line and seek out a few of these early-season delicacies.

Getting back to the perch, I know for a fact that there are some nice ones in Pickerel Lake and there are no doubt more surprises in some of the other lakes. Freeborn Lake has been known to have its share of perch as well as bullhead and maybe even crappie. I know that years ago there were some nice crappie in Pickerel, but I don’t know if anyone has caught any crappie in that lake for a few years.

The great thing about early-season fishing is that you may try fishing for fish that are not on the top of your wish list. Trying something a little different than usual can sometimes take you to lakes that you may not usually frequent. I can remember fishing for bullheads in State Line Lake with my father-in-law and mother-in-law. It was always an experience and we usually caught quite a few. One time I’ll never forget is when I was standing behind Grandma just as her bobber went under and all I knew was that fish was leaving the lake right now. This bullhead went whizzing past my head at warp speed. The lesson learned there was not to stand behind her when she had a fish on the line.

There are other fish in the lake and the only downside to some lakes like this one and the upper and lower Twin Lakes is that they have been pretty much overtaken by carp. Still you never know what you might catch until you try.

Now if you just want to catch fish and don’t plan on eating them then I don’t think you’ll find a fish with broader shoulders and more fight than the carp. My grandsons were fishing in the creek by their Grandma’s home place the other day and they were having a blast catching carp. This just shows that kids don’t really care about what they are catching as long as they are catching. To my grandson Trevor the fish could just as easily have been king salmon in an Alaskan river. He latched onto one that was &uot;huge&uot; in his words and he said he fought it for at least seven minutes. He had to follow it up and down the creek when it decided to run. Now I wasn’t there but his brother Taylor backed up his story and if two fishermen tell you a story it just has to be true. When they told me about the fish they caught you could tell they were still excited &045; it was non-stop chatter telling Grandpa all about it.

This is what’s great about fishing and kids just being kids. They can have a lot of fun doing it and it doesn’t take anything more than a little imagination, a sense of adventure and an appreciation of the outdoors.

Don’t let this early ice-out and the nice weather go to waste &045; do a little fishing and enjoy the outdoors!

For those that may want to venture a little farther from home here are some reports from a couple different areas in southern Minnesota and one from about as far north as you can get and still be in Minnesota.

MANKATO – Madison and Washington are open. A mix of crappies and bluegills being caught on Washington. Sunfish are in 6-10 feet and crappies are in 15-20 feet of water. Panfish hitting on St. James and crappies are biting at the city dock on Crystal. A slip bobber and a crappie minnow working best.

WABASHA – The ice is gone. River levels are holding (about 2-3 feet above average) and some nice walleye and sauger are being caught below the Alma Dam. 1/2- to 3/4-ounce jigs tipped with minnows working well, also anglers drifting with nightcrawlers report success. A 14.8-pound walleye reported caught. Panfish and big pike hitting at the Nelson Wisconsin Dike Road. Sucker minnows, redworms and waxies all catching fish.

RAINY LAKE – Varying ice conditions on Rainy Lake. Currents, winds and other factors do mean some inconsistency at this time of the year and the National Park Service has closed their ice road. Call or check our web site for current conditions. The Rainy River is open to fishing and boat launches at International Falls (Ron Hall Access) and Pelland Junction (Kuttes Landing) are described as open with decent conditions. Downriver, near Birchdale, (Nelson Landing) it is still icy. Due to border waters regulations, the walleye seasons are still open on both Rainy Lake and Rainy River and will close April 14th to allow for spawning. The limit on Rainy river below the dam at International Falls is two walleye with none over 19.5 inches, Rainy Lake regulations allow for four walleye but have further slot restrictions with all fish between 17 and 28 inches going back, and you may only keep one fish over 28 inches. The regulations allow for angling at a time when most other areas are not open or really even accessible. Local bait shops and guides will have information on the latest lures and baits.

&045; &045; &045;

Until next time play safe, enjoy the outdoors and get out and wet a line someplace .

Remember to keep our brothers and sisters that are proudly serving our country in your thoughts and prayers.