I have heard mixed reports from area deer hunters. There have been some nice bucks taken this year but I have also heard that overall the hunting has been a little tougher than in past years. The wet October we experienced changed everything. The farmers couldn’t get in the fields and thus many of the crops were still standing providing more cover for the deer.

Pheasant hunting has also been a little tougher due to more cover and, according to the DNR, a lower number of birds. The pleasant weather we have had this November has kept many of the northern ducks farther north so there just haven’t been as many ducks for the waterfowl hunters in our area.

One thing we can’t control is the weather (I’m sure someone is working on that) but we can take advantage of this nice weather and enjoy the outdoors before it turns. There have still been some fishermen trying their luck in the channel by the Bridge Street Dam and at Frank Hall Park. There are still some perch, a few crappies and an occasional walleye being landed.

When I think of late fall fishing I am reminded of the time my brother-in-law, Mike, and I took advantage of a nice November Saturday afternoon and did a little trolling on Fountain Lake. We didn’t catch anything spectacular but did catch a few “lunker” carp and one nice northern. This was a good day and although the carp didn’t put any fillets in the freezer they did make for some mighty fun fishing.

As if just being on the lake on a sunny late fall day wasn’t enough we got to experience the fight of some big fish. The kid in me still says that no matter what the species is, the catching is still fun.

One November quite a few years back I took a little time on a cloudy Saturday afternoon to wet a line. I had just bought a new Browning graphite rod with a Shakespeare baitcaster at a closeout sale from the local sporting goods store. The rod was a Browning, which any sporting magazine of the day could tell you, meant quality. I drove around the lake and stopped a ways past the old Shoreland Beach. After a few casts I hooked a small northern and because I was actually supposed to be at a birthday celebration at the time, I decided that catching a gamefish on my new rig was a good thing and started to leave. When I opened the car door I leaned the rod against the car and as I set my tackle box inside, the wind caught the door and the next thing I knew I had a NEW two-piece rod. It was broken off right above the handle — talk about a sick feeling.

I couldn’t believe that this could happen to me the very first time that I used my new rig. Because of where it broke there was not going to be any easy fix. I decided to send it in to the company and tell them my sad story and ask if it could be fixed for which I was willing to pay. I received the rod back about three weeks later but when I opened the package there was a brand new rod with the invoice that said “replacement for factory defect.”

That is why I’ll never be afraid to buy anything made by Browning.

I sometimes think I’m not as “die-hard” as I used to be when it comes to fall fishing. I used to carry a fishing pole and small tackle box in my truck just in case I was driving around and got the urge to wet a line.

Wait a minute! I think I just spotted that fishing pole in the back of the truck and look what I found under the back seat — my small tackle box. Now this looks like a good spot to make a few casts.

Here are a few late fall fishing and hunting reports from around the state:

BEMIDJI — The lakes in the Bemidji area have cooled into the low 40s, so we are definitely in the cold water portion of the fishing calendar. There are still a few anglers on the lakes, but they are picking their times to be on the water based on the weather conditions. Walleye anglers are catching fish along steep breaks with access to deep water. Most anglers are using a jig and minnow for walleyes. Most anglers have been fishing Cass and Bemidji for walleyes. Tulibees and whitefish are fall spawning species and they will begin to make their spawning runs soon. Tulibees and whitefish spawn in many of the same areas walleyes use when spawning in the spring.

Muskies and big pike often key on tulibees and whitefish, which can concentrate the larger fish into specific areas late in the fall.

ELY — The weather has kept most folks off of the water this past week, but a few hearty souls were out on Birch Lake near Babbitt and caught some nice walleyes. The fish have dropped down and are cruising the deeper holes.

Slow drifted minnows were the bait of choice rigged with slip sinkers. Lake Vermillion has also been turning some decent walleyes in around 30 feet of water using the same tactics. A few crappies are being taken from Fall Lake and Twin lakes off the Northeast end of Burntside. The fish were hitting small minnows either alone or on small jigs. Most were suspended 6 feet or so from the bottom in 22 to 26 feet of water.

The number of deer hunters has declined significantly due to the adverse weather conditions. A good number of deer have been registered, but it looks as though the harvest over all is down from past years. Some grouse are still being taken, but the wet weather is keeping them tighter in the cover.

GLENWOOD — Deer season started but was reported tough for many due to all the crops still in the fields … still some good bucks reported however.

This weekend marked the end of the firearms season for our area … then the wait for muzzleloading. Still good diver ducks in the area on bigger lakes.

Hunters report that they are coming just short of a limit every time they go out. Pheasants are also tough with all the crops but look to the edges especially close to evening. There is a lot of public land in Pope County and much of it has not seen much pressure.

KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN — A wet weekend — 3 inches of snow on Saturday — kept anglers off the lake last weekend. Looks like a mild, sunny week with cold nights.

Expect shorelines to develop ice this week, leading us to the end of soft water. Avid deer hunters were struggling to fill their tags in our area and hoped the snowfall and cool nights would get the bucks moving.

Kill counts for deer are a fraction of previous years when they offered either sex and bonus tags. Good news for rifle hunters that didn’t fill a tag, they can purchase a muzzleloader license and continue to enjoy the season into December.

LAKE OF THE WOODS — Northern Minnesota is blessed with beauty and beautiful weather for this time of year. Bright sunshine and cool, crisp mornings give the avid sportsmen great success whether hunting for whitetails or fishing for walleyes. River temperature is hanging in the 40s and the shiner minnow run is mild. Fishermen are easily catching their limits and many have released walleyes more than 20 inches. Water is still low but fish are biting on 3/8-oz jigs and the evening bite is still the best. Some anglers are also venturing out on the lake where water clarity has decreased. The best bet is to head toward Morris Point where reports are favorable. If you’re planning for your winter fishing, be sure to call your resort before coming. There’s only been a light skim of ice on bays on occasional mornings but it’s melted by afternoon. Resorters say “give us a 10-day stretch around the 0 to 10 degree range and we will be fishing.”

Until next time, there’s still open water for fish’n and while you’re at it, take a little time to enjoy our great Minnesota outdoors.

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