By Dick Herfindahl, Water and Woods

There is still another month of the ice fishing season left. There are more houses than ever congregating on our area lakes. I have heard mixed results from anglers but I have a feeling that it is just like open water fishing. The fishing experience is what it&8217;s all about, not unnecessarily the results. I have often made that statement and I still believe in it. As long as I am catching enough fish for an occasional meal I am happy. You can catch some nice perch and walleye on Albert Lea Lake if you know when to be there and where to fish.

The fishermen that do a lot of fishing on the lake don&8217;t really like to brag about it. I have a friend that feels that the less anyone knows the better it is for him. This is true to a point.

I don&8217;t mind sharing some things but I am not ready to draw just anyone a map to my potential &8220;hot spot.&8221; I knew one guy (can you say brother-in-law) that would get so excited about his catch that he would go into detail telling people exactly where and how he caught his fish. The next time he went to fish that spot there would be one or two boats there sitting in his exact spot and fishing exactly how he fishes. Coincidence? I think not! This was a case of too much sharing not being a good thing &8212; especially when the guy in his spot looked awfully familiar.

I have another brother-in-law that has this motto when it comes to a good hunting or fishing spot. Trust no one! Quite a few years ago he had stopped by my house to show me this big buck that he had shot while bow hunting. Our minister at the time had stopped by to talk and mentioned that it was sure a nice sized deer. He asked my brother-in-law what area of the county he had shot the deer in. He commenced to tell him about a place that was nowhere near the place he had actually shot it. After the pastor had left I asked him how he could not be truthful with the minister. He said when it comes to his hunting spots he trusts nobody.

I guess when it comes to divulging a fishing spot I will meet in the middle between these two. Give out enough information to help but not so much as to hinder. Fishing is a little different than hunting. You can be sitting in a boat with two other guys using the same bait and only one may be catching fish.

Giving someone a fishing tip is a lot different than telling someone how to fish. I will tell people what has worked for me and they can take it for what it is worth. As a fisherman you should always be open minded. You can learn a lot by listening to the techniques that other fishermen use for different species. Some people get &8220;locked in&8221; on a certain way to fish and are not open to trying something new. It&8217;s just like being on a lake with a plan for fishing walleye and everybody is catching &8220;slab&8221; crappies. If you want to catch fish you sometimes have to make the adjustment.

Here are a few fishing reports from around the state:

MANKATO &045; East Jefferson Lake started producing sunfish in 10 to 12 feet. Jigging Rapalas are turning walleyes between Second and Third points on Lake Washington in 17 to 22 feet. There&8217;s an evening walleye bite on top of the dredge lines of Lake Hanska in six feet. Little Jefferson Lake is producing pike and Duck Lake started giving up crappies in eight feet.

FAIRMONT &045; Crappies and walleyes are hitting during low-light periods at Cedar Lake in 10 to 15 feet. Round Lake continues to produce crappies, as is Hall Lake in 20 to 25 feet. On Big Twin Lake, walleyes, northern pike, and a few crappies can be had on minnows early and late in the day.

FARIBAULT &045; There&8217;s an evening panfish bite at Roberds Lake in 15 feet. French Lake is a safe bet for walleyes in 18 to 28 feet. Shiner minnows are the ticket for northern pike on Shields Lake in 16 to 20 feet. Sunfish action has improved in 15 feet at Shields and Hunt Lake.

GRAND RAPIDS &045; The north end of Bowstring Lake is giving up crappies in 24 to 27 feet. A bluegill/crappie mix is being caught at Big Splithand Lake in 20 feet and on Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake in 24 to 26 feet. Look for an evening walleye bite in 18 to 30 feet at lakes Pokegama, Sugar, and Trout. There&8217;s consistent pike action reported off Pokegama and Lake Wabana in 12 to 30 feet. Pit Lake and Caribou Lake are giving up lake trout over 50 to 70 feet, while Taylor Lake and Kramer Lake are worth noting for browns, brookies, and rainbows.

PARK RAPIDS &045; Shiner minnows are triggering walleyes on Long Lake in 18 to 26 feet. Large minnows are the ticket for pike at Big Mantrap Lake in 14 feet. Look for sunfish on the Crow Wing Chain in 10 to 12 feet and crappies to be suspended over 40 feet of water.

ELY &045; Consistent lake trout reports continue to be heard with Burntside Lake and Snowbank Lake providing the best action. Look to Shagawa Lake for walleyes and crappie action is strong with lakes such as Low, One Pine, Little Long, and Bass leading the way.

RED WING &045; Anglers fishing from boats on the Mississippi River are catching saugers and a few walleyes, below the dam, on a jig and minnow in 27 to 30 feet. The docks in the Baypoint Park area are producing panfish for ice anglers. This area also has produced walleyes in slightly deeper water. Look to the Frontenac Pond area for pike.

LEECH LAKE &045; The walleye bite is holding up well with the humps in Walker Bay producing fish in 25 to 30 feet, as is Sand Point in 18 to 22 feet. Perch action has picked up again in six to eight feet off Pine Point towards Goose Island and the Walker Narrows.

Until next time &045; throw another log on the fire and enjoy the outdoors whenever you can.

Be sure to keep the troops that are away from their families in your thoughts and prayers. They are the reason we enjoy all the freedoms that we have.