Column: Dick Herfindahl, Woods & Water

One of the things that I have always enjoyed about winter is the cozy feeling that comes with relaxing in my favorite easy chair just soaking up the warmth as the wind-blown snow swirls around outside my window. A lot of people may have fireplaces to cozy up to, but just like in my childhood I have to settle for the old heat register. It is all good no matter how you enjoy it. Grab a good book or magazine with a little music playing and it can surely take the edge off of a hectic day. Sitting in a fish house can give you that same sort of relaxed feeling. Although the goal is to catch fish the idea of kicking back and anticipating a bite can actually be pretty relaxing.

Looking back at my early years before our family had a television I can remember listening to the radio and using my imagination to put myself there. I spent many Saturday nights listening to radio shows such as “Gunsmoke,” “Gang Busters” and “Roy Rogers” to name just a few. There was something peaceful about this that I appreciate more when looking back than I probably did as a kid. Like every kid I always wanted something more, like TV, which we didn’t have for quite a few years. I guess as a baby boomer I was on the edge of modern day technology and having an imagination was what fueled my entertainment world. Going to the movies was the big thing when we were kids, and I always looked forward to the latest Abbott and Costello or Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movies.

Radio shows were slowly replaced by TV shows, but there was only one decent channel when we first got TV and eventually a couple more were added. Having a good imagination from the radio shows came in handy when watching some of the snowy channels of early TV. There was also the tin foil trick where you would put a gob of used tin foil around the antenna wire that went out the window and up the side of the house to the roof. By sliding that tin foil up or down it was supposed to give you better reception; I guess it was kind of the poor man’s rotor. I can still see my dad who was always tinkering with the buttons on the TV adjusting the contrast and brightness. Whenever he’d leave the room I’d go and fine tune it only to have him return to make another adjustment. He liked the picture real light, and I always liked it a little darker but I don’t think that he ever knew that I was changing it when he left the room.

Yeah, those were what they call the good old days — simple but good and in all reality they weren’t just too darned bad.

Having a good imagination can also carry over to our outdoor experiences. How many of us have sat in the boat and imagined that lunker walleye when feeling those familiar taps on our line? How about sitting in a tree stand imagining a trophy buck approaching through the thick underbrush? It’s all good and even if that trophy doesn’t appear on your line or in your sights, it’s still a good feeling.

As the ice fishing season moves along the fishing usually starts to taper off some. From a couple of the reports that I’ve heard the perch numbers are still there but the average size has decreased, at least in the channel by Frank Hall Park. This is typical of ice fishing; as the season goes on the quality fish are harder to find.

There are high numbers of walleye in Albert Lea Lake but the bite has tapered off some as the winter progressed. Sources say that the walleye numbers are high not only in the channel but all over the lake. I would venture a guess that the amount of baitfish they have available is what makes fishing tough at times. I know that on occasion there have been limits caught but these are not as frequent as in the earlier part of the winter. Fishing the hour or so before dark seems to still be productive. Once we get into February I have a feeling that fishing will get even tougher.

Here are a few fishing reports from the Southern Minnesota area.

LANESBORO — As of last week, streams were in great condition and trout were being caught. Small No. 18 to No. 24 bead-head nymphs, especially those imitating midge larva or pupa, have been very productive. Streams open to winter fishing in the Lanesboro vicinity include Diamond Creek, Etna Creek, Gribben Creek, North Branch Creek, South Fork Root River, Torkelson Creek and Wisel Creek in Fillmore County. Those in Houston County include West Beaver Creek, Bee Creek, Crooked Creek, Daley Creek, Swede Bottom Creek and South Fork Crooked Creek. Consult the 2010 Fishing Regulations booklet, or check with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the entire list of winter trout fishing streams. Call 1-800-944-2670 or go to www.lanesboro.com.

FARIBAULT — Small villages are starting to pop up on most area lakes. With little snow covering the ice, travel has been easy compared to last year. And, the fishing has been great! On French Lake, anglers are taking limits of crappies when using crappie minnows more than 25 to 35 feet of water. Mazaska Lake anglers are pulling good numbers of crappies and sunnies from 20 to 30 foot depths near Bulrush Bay on the southeast side of the lake. Crappies, sunnies and walleye are coming from 20 to 30 feet of water in the northeast side of the lake. Cedar Lake is giving up crappies and walleye to nighttime anglers. For lots of crappies, try a deep hole on the northeast side of the lake; for both crappies and walleye, hit the point on the northeast side of the large island. Anglers fishing at night will want to use jigs with a glow finish, hitting them often with a bright light or camera flash to ensure good illumination.

ALBERT LEA — Fountain Lake is producing crappies and perch at the Shoreline Beach area. Lots of sunfish are hitting waxworms near the Lakewood Cemetery. On Albert Lea Lake, anglers are pulling perch and walleye from areas near the channel early in the morning. For good numbers of perch, use gold jigs.

FAIRMONT — Fishing has improved throughout the area, and the ice is reported to be in good condition. Anglers have been taking crappies and walleye from Big Twin Lake. Fox Lake can be counted on for some crappies and perch. Crappies, perch and a few walleye have been coming out of Hall Lake. Sisseton Lake anglers are taking crappies and bluegills. And for lots of perch, hit North Silver Lake.

Until next time, watch out for thin ice, play safe and above all get outside and enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors!

Remember our brothers and sisters who are proudly serving our country so that we can keep enjoying the freedoms that we have today.

Dick Herfindahl’s outdoors column appears in Friday’s Tribune.