The past few days I have had a chance to enjoy the beauty of our area’s largest lake and actually be almost alone on the lake.

My friend Mark invited me to do a little ice fishing with him in his brother’s fish house on Albert Lea Lake. As we drove to the fish house we spotted a coyote running at full speed across the lake to a nearby woods. It was a bright, sunny day and he really stood out against the snow-covered lake.

As I looked around the area I thought to myself how great it was to be able to enjoy a day in Minnesota’s outdoors. If you could take a picture of that area of the lake and didn’t know any different you’d think that it was in northern Minnesota. To me there is something pretty special about spending a little time on this lake during the winter. It isn’t just about the fishing it’s about all the beautiful things nature has to offer, things that just feel right.

We didn’t “knock ‘em dead” as far as fishing but we did catch some perch, although none were keepers. The water in the lake right now is so clear it is almost like looking into an aquarium whenever a school of fish appeared. It was pretty neat to see the perch appear and circle the jig only to bump it or get close but not take it. I took the cover off of one of the holes and as I looked into the hole a muskrat looked back at me and quickly turned and swam away. I don’t know which one of us was more startled me or the muskrat.

As I sat by the hole jigging there would be an occasional “Jumbo” perch that would enter the picture examine the jig and then swim slowly away. Just thinking about catching a mess of those old boys and turning them into golden brown fillets makes my mouth water. I have to say that I could get pretty used to spending time out on that lake hoping to catch some of those bigger fish.

The water clarity of the lake overall has improved a lot over the past decade. This is a good thing and with the work of the County Watershed Board and the community as a whole becoming more concerned about the environment this will be a resource that we can enjoy for generations to come.

I have to say that we do have a very valuable resource right here in our own backyard and we should take full advantage of it. We have a beautiful State Park and buying a sticker can give you year round access to the beauty of that park.

Here are a few fishing reports from northern Minnesota:

ELY — The ice conditions in the Ely area are the best they’ve been in years. The ice is covered in just 6 inches of snow, allowing ice totals to continue to grow as night time temperatures remain at or below zero. The ice shack villages are growing daily, and most anglers are driving out onto the ice. On Shagawa Lake, there were 60 shacks on Dec. 29. Walleye action has been good, with most anglers catching at least a couple of fish. Minnows fished under a slip bobber or buckshot spoons tipped with a minnow head have been best. For the most fish, hit the drops and humps in 12-25 feet of water. Birch Lake near the city of Babbitt recently produced a nice northern pike weighing roughly 12 pounds. The fish was caught near the rice beds on a large sucker minnow in 5 feet of water. To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7281.

COOK & TOWER/LAKE VERMILION — A fresh coating of snow on good ice has created easy travel conditions for most of the Lake Vermilion. The last hour of light has been best for a few walleyes, but the window of time is surprisingly short. The key is to stay mobile, work the structure, and vary your depths. Northern pike action has been decent, with fish being pulled from Norwegian, Larson and Wolf bays on the west end of the lake. Anglers are also taking some fish from Blackduck, Pelican and Susan lakes. Trails are being groomed.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS — Ice fishing has been very good on Rainy Lake, with anglers reporting large walleye coming in on minnows, especially when worked in Sand Bay where the ice road is plowed. The best bet has been to fish midway on the submerged reefs. Walleye have been most active early and late in the day. Crappie action has also been good. Snowmobile trails are being groomed and the recent snowfall should improve riding conditions considerably. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766.

KABETOGAMA — After the recent 16-plus inches of snow, Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan have a thick layer of ice covered by a lot of snow. Anglers report very little slush. For the most walleyes, use a small glow jig tipped with a minnow at roughly 30 feet of water, especially at Ash River, between the Martin Islands, at the mouth of Lost Lake, and at the opening at Blind Ash Bay. The trail groomers are out in force on the land trails, and the National Park Service will be checking Kabetogama carefully for ice thickness prior to lake grooming operations. For more information on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, and the surrounding area, dial 1-800-524-9085.

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River —Lake of the Woods is a winter wonderland for anglers and snowmobilers. The ice is more than 12 inches thick at the Northwest Angle and Islands area. Fish are biting in 20-25 feet of water on gold and pink jigs tipped with a chub. Ice houses are plentiful on Lake of the Woods, and ice roads are now open to bombardiers and larger vehicles. Lots of action is taking place west of Pine Island and north of the Morris Point Gap. There has been an abundance of saugers coming from roughly 27 feet of water on anything that glows and is tipped with a live minnow or frozen shiner. A few walleye continue to be pulled from the shallower depths during late afternoon hours. For the most continuous action, however, hit the deeper waters. On the Rainy River, anglers are now driving out in the Clementson area, with lots of fish being taken during evening hours. Please be sure to call ahead for the most current ice road conditions, and always keep safety first! To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH.

DNR releases baiting numbers

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has finalized information related to baiting violations that were investigated by Minnesota conservation officers during the 2009 deer seasons.

Conservation officers received 545 baiting complaints during the 2009 deer seasons (archery, firearms, muzzleloader), resulting in 129 citations being issued and 140 firearms seized.

Half of the conservation officers encountered other hunting violations while conducting baiting investigations, including tagging/validation violations, 52 percent; no license, 27 percent; and trespass, 25 percent.

Apples, corn and sugar beets dispersed in open areas figured in 87 percent of deer baiting cases this season.

Officers reported that nearly 60 percent of the hunters who were cited for violations admitted to conservation officers that they knew baiting was illegal, but chose to do it anyway.

Nearly 50 percent of the persons cited offered that they were aware of baiting regulations through DNR Enforcement Division news releases, media reports, or the Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook.

Deer baiting is strategically placing a pile of food near deer stands or clearings in hopes of luring a deer into close range. Nationally, 28 states ban the practice in any form, while 22 allow it (eight with significant restrictions).

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 coming year.