A lot of us have been taking advantage of the nice weather we have been experiencing as of late. More and more people are walking and biking on our many trails and the fishermen are once again lining the shores of Fountain and Albert Lea Lakes in search of crappie and perch. There have been some nice perch being caught from the bridge on Front Street by Frank Hall Park and Fountain Lake has been turning up some dandy crappies by Blackmore and Hatch Bridges. I am sure there are also some sunnies and bluegills to be found if you know where to look.

We’ve come a long way since the days when first ice out meant shorelines lined with thousands of dead carp and game fish. I can remember being devastated at the sight of a huge northern well over 10 pounds lying on the shore alongside the dead carp. As I looked closer I also spotted more northerns and other game fish and I couldn’t help but think of what a waste it was. I guess I must have been thinking that if I’d only known the big fella was there I could have been there trying to catch him.

If you lived here during those fish kills you can probably remember the awful stench created by those dead carp as they lay rotting along the shoreline. The odor of those dead fish could be detected in almost every part of the city depending on which way the wind was from. If it wasn’t for the efforts of the Fountain Lake Sportsman’s Club to secure those aeration systems so that the lake could be stocked with walleye we could still be experiencing that same fine odor today.

I do remember an occasional quip by some non-lute eaters who were saying that we Norwegians should be used to the smell because of the fine fish delicacy that we eagerly devour every Christmas season. No friends, lutefisk smells nothing like dead decaying carp no matter what anyone tells you.

Getting back to the carp thing — I do believe the city workers were left to the task of trying to extricate the carcasses that lined the shoreline. This indeed would not be a job to be envied. It, in fact, would not be a job for anyone with a weak stomach. Where did they put them? It had to be one big garden to use all that fertilizer.

Once the smell subsided I could finally bring myself to try my luck at fishing. With the amount of winter kill that occurred the lake always seemed to come back and furnish us with bullheads, crappie, bass and sunfish. The northern population has all but diminished in recent years but there is now a healthy population of walleye. The Fountain Lake Sportsman’s Club and the DNR originally stocked them soon after the aerators were installed.

I can recall many days when I’d ride my bike into town and fish Katherine Island and eventually would work my way to the dam. There was at one time a spillway on the north side of the dam that allowed water to bypass the main dam when the lake level was high. Us kids would climb along the top of the walls and work our way down to the end. I would have my bait can with earthworms and a few crawlers and of course my fishing pole.

I think the first store-bought rod and reel I had was one that I had sent for in the mail. It came with an assortment of sinkers, hooks and plastic bobbers. In those days if you wanted something unique you would have to order it from a fishing magazine or if it was a toy from the order blank of a comic book. I really think the anticipation of receiving something in the mail was every bit as fun as actually getting the item you ordered.

The fishing pole I had was probably a True-Temper, I know the reel was beige and was mostly plastic. It also came with line that was probably thick enough to pull a car out of a snow bank. It didn’t really matter because it came in the mail and now it was all mine. I always seemed to get the feeling that the items I received were not as good as the ones that I ordered. It’s kind of like the pictures of fast food that you see on TV. The Big Mac on TV always seems to look a lot better than the real thing for some reason.

Whatever the case, I was fishing and that’s all that seemed to matter. It was a definite step up from the old throw line or cane pole that I was used to. While it did take a while to master casting it, just few hundred backlashes later and I actually started to get pretty good at it. I’d tie some weight on the end of the line and pitch it towards a tire I had hung from the back yard tree. I guess it’s the old adage practice makes perfect or at least makes you better.

Minnesota DNR says streams in good shape for statewide stream trout opener

Trout anglers likely will find good fishing conditions when streams open statewide April 18 for trout fishing.

“Trout populations are generally in good shape in the southeast streams,” said Mark Ebbers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) trout and salmon program consultant. “In many streams, adult populations are at the same level as they were before the flood in 2007.”

Anglers can find trout stream locations at “http://mndnr.gov/fishing/trout_streams.” Specific information on the Whitewater River, a popular trout fishing destination in southeastern Minnesota, is available at “http://mndnr.gov/areas/fisheries/crystalsprings_hatchery/stream_cond.html.”

Trout streams with special regulations are listed in the DNR’s 2009 Fishing Regulations booklet.

Anglers fishing for stream trout must possess a trout stamp validation in addition to a regular fishing or combination license. Licenses and trout stamps purchased in 2008 expire at midnight on April 30. The trout stamp validation costs $10.

“Purchasing trout stamps is an investment in Minnesota’s cold-water fisheries,” Ebbers said. “Funds raised through the program go directly to benefit trout habitat.”

Until next time enjoy the spring, play safe and get out and enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors.

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