With the removal of fish houses on area lakes we are now destined to either use portables, fish in the open or settle for waiting for open water. As is usually the norm the walleye bite on almost all Minnesota lakes was good on early ice and tapered off as the season progressed. This definitely seemed to be the case in our area. Even the perch bites seemed to taper off after mid-January.

The sad part about the end of ice fishing is the litter that is left behind by some fishermen. I do a lot of walking along the channel by Frank Hall Park and am amazed at the amount of garbage that is floating in the channel right after ice-out. It doesn’t take that long to pick up after yourself and if everyone did that it would be a big step toward making our lakes a lot cleaner.

This is the time of year when most of us seek other avenues to curb our outdoors appetite. For some it may be a trip to the Mighty Mississippi in search of open water too whet our appetite. For those that like to trout fish there will be a little wait but there is a spring stream trout season in the southeast part of the state that runs from April 1-April 16, which is catch-and-release only.

On April 17 the regular stream trout season opens for streams in the southeastern part of the state and runs until Sept. 14.

If you are getting antsy to get out and do something there are always a multitude of sports shows going on around the area. These shows can offer some great ideas to get you pumped up for the upcoming fishing season. In past years I have attended the Northwest Sportsman’s Show and came away with a lot of suggestions on how to spend my next dollar. I never realized that there were so many “necessities” that I had been without in all my years of fishing. I actually do not believe that I could go to any of these events without coming away with the next “killer bait” that I just had to have and would now have to find a home for in my tackle box.

Sportsman’s shows are only one part of it, visiting Cabela’s or Fleet Farm in Owatonna will give you plenty do drool about. I know going in that when I visit those stores I’ll be leaving with a lighter wallet and will be anticipating the opener like a little kid anticipates Christmas. I guess I’ll do whatever it takes to keep me going until the open water season is upon us.

The TV fishing shows have become more appealing to me in recent years because there a multitude of shows that take place right here in our region. Although I still enjoy watching Jimmy Houston and Roland Martin once in a while just to get a few laughs because they sure can still get excited over a 2-pound bass. There are many more shows featuring our state or our neighboring states. To me, this is real because they are fishing in places I could be going to instead of some gator infested swamp in Florida or Georgia that I know I‘ll never be fishing.

Whatever your trick is to curing “cabin fever” now is the time to put it to good use.

Musky Talk

The March meeting of Crossroads Chapter 54 of muskies Inc. will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Eagles Club in Owatonna. Our speaker will be Dan Crooms. He will speak on fishing French Lake.

Coming activities: We will have a booth at the Rochester Sport and Vacation show March 12, 13, 14, at Rochester Fair Grounds. There is free admission and parking. We need help, call John, 259-5074, or Scot, 451-7227.

We will clean up ice on French Lake next Saturday.

Our meetings are second Wednesday of each month. They include informative speakers, door prizes, raffles, and updates. Check our web sight, “/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.michapter54.com”. Anyone interested in musky fishing is always welcome.

Bring a friend, and check us out. Help improve musky fishing in southern Minnesota.

Dirk Peterson named DNR fisheries chief

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced today that Dirk Peterson has been named chief of Fisheries.

Peterson has served as the agency’s central region fisheries manager for the past nine years. A biologist, Peterson has worked in area, region, central office and Commissioner’s Office positions during a 30-plus year DNR career.

Dirk Peterson

“We searched nationally and selected locally,” said Dave Schad, DNR Fish and Wildlife division director. “Citizen and agency interview panel members were impressed by Dirk’s depth of knowledge, breadth of experience and vision for serving the anglers and citizens of Minnesota.”

“Minnesota is blessed with some of the finest fishing waters in the nation,” said Peterson. “I look forward to the opportunities and challenges in making them the best they can be.”

Peterson, an avid angler and resident of Northfield, replaces Ron Payer, who retired late last year.

A few years ago when Leech Lake hosted the Governor’s Fishing Opener I had an opportunity to talk with retired Fisheries Chief Ron Payer. From the conversations we had it was evident that he was indeed a perfect fit for the job. You could tell by our conversation that he was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt and enjoyed the resources that he was overseeing.

2010 fishing licenses, walleye stamp now on sale

Minnesota’s 2010 fishing licenses and the state’s second-ever walleye stamp are now on sale. Anglers who purchase a license early in March can fish for 14 months, since the license does not expire until April 30, 2011.

The walleye stamp, though not necessary to catch and keep walleye, is an innovative way for anglers to voluntarily donate funds for walleye stocking. Proceeds from walleye stamp sales go directly to a special DNR account for walleye stocking activities.

“If you didn’t buy a license or walleye stamp last year, now’s the time to get one,” said Steve Michaels, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources license center manager. “The 2010 license enables you to enjoy the last two months of the 2009 season plus all of the 2010 season.” Minnesota 2009 fishing licenses expire April 30. Minnesota residents need to have a state driver’s license or state identification card to purchase a license.

A walleye stamp validation costs $5 and for $2 more, the DNR will mail you the actual collector’s stamp. This year’s walleye stamp was painted by Minnesota artist Tim Turenne of Richfield. It features two walleye, one of which is preparing to strike at a lure.

Lessard-Sams bill

We still need to let our legislators know that we want the language in the Lessard-Sams bill reinstated to the original wording that we voted on.

It is important the House reinstates the definitions established by the Lessard-Sams Council for “enhance, protect and restore” and drops the ecology wording that is a catch-all for urban projects, parks, education and non-sportsmen funding.

Contacting your legislator is as simple as going to www.SportsmenForChange.org and clicking the link Petition Your Legislator.

Or you can contact your district representative:

District 27A

The Honorable Robin Brown

27667 Mower Freeborn Road

Austin, MN 55912-5796

(651) 296-8216

rep.robin.brown@house.mn

Until next time, use caution on the ice and always take a little time to enjoy our great Minnesota outdoors.

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