Over the last few years I have been getting asked if I do any ice fishing.

The answer has always been the same — no time! I coach hockey during the winter months and that is as good of an excuse as I could come up with. It really boiled down to not having the proper tools to spend a few hours sitting on the ice.

This year I have the time and things changed when my grandson Trevor, who I mentioned in the last column, along with his dad Brian built a house and the two of them took grandpa fishing for an afternoon. I really enjoyed the time we spent in the fish house talking and getting an occasional bite and some of us (meaning them) even caught a few fish. One perch was what you’d classify as a “jumbo” perch and they were taking that one home to be devoured.

After we were done fishing they headed home, put the fish in the kitchen sink to thaw out and went outside to do chores. When they came back inside Brian noticed Chas, their yellow lab, chewing on something. By the time they realized what it was the dog had indeed devoured the fish and I can almost picture him looking like one of those cartoon dogs picking his teeth with one of the dorsal fin bones. I sure enjoyed that day and the next day Brad’s boy Dylan spent the night.

I told him I’d take him fishing on Monday because he goes to school in Blue Earth and they didn’t have school that day. After setting up his fishing pole and buying bait we went to the fish house. We spent a couple of hours there with no fish to show for it but it didn’t really matter to either of us and the time spent together was “priceless.” To him I was an ice-fishing veteran and I do believe he actually thought I knew what I was doing. He said wants to do it again the next chance he gets and I said we’d try to go again soon.

Although Trevor’s house is a “no frills” house it is still comfortable and is ideal for three to four people. I have to say that I did enjoy ice fishing from a house for the first time and I can see how people get addicted to it. Some of these people’s fish houses are elaborate and have all the luxuries of home like a satellite dish, microwave, bunk beds and a heater with a wall thermostat to control the temperature inside. I don’t know if I’ve got the “fever” yet but I am definitely ready for more and this basic little fish house with it’s small propane heater that gets it mighty toasty inside is all I’d ever need.

On a related note the Fountain Lake Sportsman’s fishing contest is this Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. It is open to anyone who wants to purchase a hole for $5 and you can bring your fishing houses too if you want to.

There will be over $1,000 in cash and prizes plus raffle tickets will also be sold. Bait will be available for sale at the contest.

New Richland Sportsman’s Club hosts ice fishing contest

If you want to try ice fishing on another area lake, the New Richland Sportsman’s Club will be hosting their annual ice fishing contest on St. Olaf Lake. It will be held on Feb. 8 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. St. Olaf Lake is located 3 1/2 miles east of New Richland. There will be a $500 grand prize plus $75 for the largest fish and various other prizes for the anglers. Bait will be provided. Here is another chance to practice your fishing prowess, have some fun and maybe even be the lucky one to win the big prize.

The Ellendale/Geneva Sportsman’s Club is also hosting their ice fishing contest Sunday, Feb. 8 on Beaver Lake. This contest starts at noon.

There will be a cash prize for the biggest fish and other prizes for anglers. The cost is only $1 for a ticket and there will also be three cash drawings.

It looks like you could spend a whole afternoon having some old fashioned Minnesota fun. This just goes to show that most Minnesotan’s don’t just sit inside the warm houses and whine about winter — we actually get outside and enjoy what it has to offer. There are so many things to do in the Minnesota winter like skiing, skating, sledding, snow shoeing, hunting, and of course ice fishing just to name a few.

Until next time stay warm, play safe, keep off the thin ice and get out and enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors.

Remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers during the coming year.