Each year after the New Year has passed and the Christmas decorations are tucked away neatly in the attic I seem to come down with a case of the dreaded “cabin fever.” I don’t have the answer or a “quick cure” but there are things that can be done to ease the pain. I know that a lot of you still think you’re immune to it because there is still plenty of “hard ice” fishing to be had. This is good and it will take you into February but then there is the “dead area” between the end of ice fishing and the beginning of open water fishing.

This can be when most of us who think we’re okay suddenly develop symptoms and start to get fidgety or even a little short with our spouses. Being able to recognize the symptoms and admit there is a problem can help get you through the tough times.

A good outlet for the frustration is to look for Sports Shows that you can attend. These shows feature everything from boats of all sizes that are designed to accommodate every outdoorsman’s needs. There are also gun shows and shows aimed at vacations which feature everything from luxury resorts to campgrounds or Canadian fly-ins. There is the Northwest Sport Show, March 12-15 Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, which features all of the above plus booth after booth of the latest fishing tackle which pretty much guarantees success if you buy one of these dandy lures.It’s been many years since I attended this show but I found that it was pretty impressive. I have a couple of those lures that I purchased at that show but I think the warranty must have expired on that fish catching guarantee.

You don’t have to go to the cities to find a show because there are also shows in Rochester where The Great Outdoor Expo will be held this Friday and Saturday at the Mayo Civic Center Auditorium with products and services for outdoor activities. The Rochester Sports & Vacation Show will be held Jan. 30-Feb. 1. There is also the Minnesota Sportsmen’s Boat, Camping & Vacation Show, January 14-18 at the River Centre, St. Paul.

The Iowa-Minnesota Sports Show will be held this Feb. 13-15 at the North Iowa Fairgrounds in Mason City, Iowa. This year’s show will feature appearances by noted fishing experts Dan Sura and Dave Csanda who will appear on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14.These are just some of the shows going on in our part of the state that can help ease you through the cabin fever dilemma.

Muskies Inc.

Monthly Meeting

Another event that can surely help you is the monthly meeting of the Southern Minnesota Chapter of Muskies, Inc. where the Southern Crossroads Muskies Inc. is holding our “Favorite trip of the year night” at the Owatonna Eagles club Wednesday at 7 p.m. We’ll help you put some fish in the boat, it’s a good time for the whole family, general public is welcome.

Fishing reports

Here are a few fishing reports from around the state:

BATTLE LAKE — The walleye bite has slowed down, but they are still getting a few out on Battle, Ottertail and Stalker Lakes in that 20 to 25 feet of water range. For crappies, they are getting some on West Battle and South

TURTLE LAKE — The sunnies are biting on the same lakes. They are getting bass on North and South Turtle and West Battle in about 15 feet of water. The northerns are really active right now; some of the better lakes are Ottertail, Rush and Battle. Slush is still a problem on the lakes; it’s hard to move around.

BEMIDJI — Plantagenet has slowed a bit and Bemidji has too for walleyes. The best reports we heard of were perch on Bemidji. And sounds like Pike Bay is putting out a few walleyes and perch in about 20-30 feet of water range, using shiners or fatheads and a jig. The slush is starting to be a problem on a few lakes, but not all yet.

ELY— Some nice crappies are being caught on Burntside Lake. Ice conditions are slowly beginning to improve and anglers are starting to report some nice catches of both walleyes and Northern pike. Snowmobiles are the best way to get around, as there are still large patches of slush above the ice. Northland buckshot spoons with minnow heads are accounting for the walleyes in 20 to 30 feet of water, while the Northerns are being taken with sucker minnows fished a foot or two off the bottom in 5 to 15 feet.

HACKENSACK — With slush in most spots and water coming up through the holes when you drill them it is kind of tough going. What makes the battle worthwhile is that the fish are biting! Leech Lake walleye action is still the best. Grand Vu Resort, located in the Pine Pint area has their access plowed and there are guys plowing roads out from there. They charge $6 to access the lake. It is the easiest way on to the lake right now. With a four-wheel drive truck you can get off of the road and get around pretty easily. Fishing has been good in that area, some Perch during the day and Walleye in the morning and evening. The walleye are still biting well in Walker Bay as well. There is not as much ice there and more slush, snowmobile travel is the best there. The evening crappie bite has been good on most lakes, fish the last hour of light with a crappie minnow on a small jig, 18 to 24 feet of water; the fish will be 3-5 feet off of the bottom. Panfish have also been biting midday in about the same water depth, waxworms and maggieas are their preferred bait. Northern Pike have been feeding actively during the day. Lite northern or heavy pike suckers on a tip-up or a jig on the weed edge will put a few fish on the ice.

MILLE LACS LAKE — Ice conditions on the NW side of Mille Lacs are in pretty good shape. Most of the resorts in our area are reporting 15 inches plus. We have a lot of snow on the lake, which is causing some wet spots. Keep an eye on your shack. Blocking is imperative. Chiseling is not a fun way to spend the afternoon. ATV travel is getting pretty tough as the snow is crusting. Heading out of a resort is almost a must and the safest. The resorts in our area are working very hard a keeping the roads open and are doing a great job. Stay on the roads and you will be fine. All of the resorts have their rentals out; this is a great way to fish Mille Lacs. Just show up and fish. The mud flats still been holding the most walleye and the least baitfish. This seems to be the key. Expect some great jumbo action this year and the year after as these fish are getting bigger. 24 to 27 feet seems to be working he best on the flats. Anglers are also catching a few tulibee this year. A good sign for the lake. Cloudy days have also helped the bite. Two to five p.m. seems to be the best time; Sun up to 11 a.m. is also good. Rock sand transitions have also been kicking out some walleye; look for 15 to 18 feet. Buckshot spoons have been really popular this year on Mille Lacs. Gold and the perch colored seem to be working best. Try tipping them with a fathead head and keep jigging. Set lines with shiners have also been doing well. The snowmobiling has been amazing this year, the groomers are out daily and the trails are in great shape

UPPER RED LAKE — Things have slowed down a bit on Red. Guys that are coming up can still manage to get a limit of walleyes over the course of the weekend, but it’s not like the fishing was in December. Most are keeping up on their roads and have spots for guys with wheel houses. There has not been a slush problem up here on the lake yet, except next to the road banks. White and red glow jigs continue to be the best. Most are just using fatheads.

PARK RAPIDS — The walleye bite has been slowing, but they are getting a few on Fish Hook and Island Lakes in 20 to 25 feet of water now. For northern, the bite has been on Big Man Trap in 12 to 13 feet of water. And crappies are biting on Big Man Trap too in about 30 feet of water. The sunnies have been biting on the Crow Wing chain in 12 to 13 feet of water.

RAINY LAKE — Walleye are biting more in the morning, and they like jigs tipped with minnows. Some popular spots have been near Birch Point, American Narrows and Rainy Lake City. Fish appear to like a depth of about 30 feet, try jigging a minnow about a foot off the bottom. Groomers have hit all area land trails and they are in good to excellent condition. The green lake trail is open and staked from Black Bay to Ash River. Cross-Country ski trails have been tracked and groomed.

RED WING — Guys who are still getting out in boats are getting walleyes with hair jig and minnow up by the dam. Some are catching panfish in backwaters down by Wabasha and around the Baypoint Park docks. And they are getting a few sauger around the Methodist area in about 20 feet of water.

Northerns are biting in the Frontenac ponds using sucker minnows and tip ups.

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

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