Fishing The Midwest Archived Articles

Online Tips From FTM

Ice Fishing Is Not Far Off (12.01.11)
Ice-fishing is getting closer every day. If you make the above preparations now, you’ll be ready to safely get in on the fantastic action early ice offers.

Fall Fishing For Largemouth Bass (10.05.11)
When you go fishing this fall, be prepared to try different tactics and different areas. If you do, you’ll greatly increase your chances for fishing success.

Be Versatile For More Fishing Success (09.29.11)
Fishing is about fun, and for most of us, catching fish, any fish, is fun. With our open water fishing season winding down, we need to take advantage of any fishing we can. Be versatile this fall season: You’ll catch more fish and enjoy your fishing even more.

There's Still Lots of Time For Fishing (09.15.11)
If you choose to go hunting or to the football game or to rake leaves on a nice day in the fall, that’s your call. Just realize that you could be missing out on the some of the best fishing of the year.

Catch Fish In Clear Water (09.01.11)
We were using Off Shore in-line planer boards with Tattle flags, so the boards were easy to read even when they were a good distance from the boat. By employing this technique, we caught good numbers of walleyes, and some big ones.

Lively Bait For More Summer Fish (08.18.11)
There are times when live bait will help you catch more fish. But, if you want to catch fish on those days when the bass, walleyes, panfish or pike are being super-selective, you need to use lively live bait. Here are some things you can do to make your live bait livelier.

What's My Line....Color? (07.25.11)
So then, how important is line color? It’s very important, but mostly from a point of confidence. Many of the best anglers in the world will agree that a bright line won’t prevent fish from striking your bait.

Shallow Water Bass (06.16.11)
There are several ways to catch largemouth bass in shallow water. Spinnerbaits, swimming jigs, topwaters, weedless spoons, and buzzbaits will all get bass to bite. So will soft baits.

Catch Northern Pike Right Now (06.08.11)
For a little bit of variety, if you’re on good pike water in May or early June, give northern pike a try. If there are pike present and you get a few to bite, you’ll probably find yourself chasing them more.

First Trip Panfish (05.02.11)
Now is the time to get after panfish. Keep enough for one meal if you want and put the rest back. This is a great time of year to get on the water, and panfish can provide lots of action. Find out soon for yourself how much fun early season panfish can be.

Ideas For Early Season Fishing Success (04.14.11)
When you’re fishing with a slip-bobber for panfish, remember that because the bait is almost motionless, the fish are going to be able to get a good look at it. Many anglers go with lighter line to reduce the chances of the line spooking the fish.

New Fishing Stuff For 2011 (02.25.11)
There are other items I’m looking forward to trying in the open water, but I’ve still got a couple of ice-fishing trips lined up that I’m looking forward to. Late ice is going to be exciting, and so is the open water season when it gets here. Anglers who live in the Midwest have a lot of fishing options, and I like that. Layer your clothing, and stay away from cotton under-clothing.

Cold Weather Ice Fishing (01.25.11)
Number One thing is you’ve gotta stay warm: It’s just no fun when you’re cold. Layer your clothing, and stay away from cotton under-clothing.

Reclaiming A Fisherie, Albert Lea, MN (01.06.11)
“Yep, Albert Lea Lake has a very good population of walleyes and perch, and Fountain Lake, which is connected to Albert Lea Lake and is right in downtown Albert Lea, is an outstanding body of water for largemouth bass and panfish.

A Couple Of Fishing Thoughts (12.13.10)
The Gulf oil spill that happened earlier this year should be enough to convince us to consider ethanol as an alternative to oil. It’s much cleaner and environmentally friendly than oil.

Catch'em Through Early Ice (12.13.10)
Two or three pound test Trilene Cold Weather or Micro Ice line does a great job when the panfish are shut off. Tie a small Bro’s Bloodworm or Slug Bug onto your line and drop it down there. Much of the time you’ll be sight-fishing: You can watch the fish come in and look at your bait and hopefully eat it. That’s fun stuff.

Tiny Details Create Bigger Catches (11.04.10)
Too much of the time we attribute fishing success to a “magic” bait. And, sometimes there is a bait that’s special. But if you pay more attention to the small details when you’re fishing, I guarantee you’re going to catch more fish.

Why Fish In The Fall (10.04.10)
Anytime you can get on the water is a good thing, and before long the lakes are going to be iced over. Then, we’ll get to fish through the ice, and that’s a good thing too. For now though, go fishing just because you can.

Fish Rivers In The Fall (09.20.10)
Fall is a great time to be on the water. The scenery can be outstanding and so can the fishing. For the next couple of months, get out whenever you can. With any luck at all, you’ll find that fall fishing in rivers can provide some really good action.

Where To Find 'Em In The Fall (08.31.10)
The thing we need to recognize is that some lakes have a lot more options than others for fall fish. In some lakes there will be just a couple of types of structure that will hold fish: On other lakes you need to try different things to get bit. Keep that in mind and you’ll find yourself getting lots of bites.

Find The Food, Find The Fish (08.25.10)
From now until ice-up, there is one very basic key to fishing success: You’ve got to be fishing where the food is. Actually, as soon as the spawn was over finding what the fish wanted to eat was a very important consideration.

Mid Summer Bass (07.28.10)
Some of the most consistent bass-catching of the year, for largemouth and smallmouth, can take place during the hottest period of the year if you keep a few things in mind. Here are some of those things.

Take Advantage Of Fishing Opportunities (07.13.10)
For most of us, just getting bit is the reason we go fishing, and most of the time you will get bit along the weedline. And you never know what might bite your bait on the weedline. It just might be a few of those walleyes you couldn’t get to bite in the deeper water.

Shallow Water Bass (06.07.10)
When trolling this time of year, you’ll catch a fish here, another over there. Keep moving. For pike you can go two or three miles per hour: Walleyes like it a little slower, but you might be surprised how fast you can troll and still catch them.

Tools of the Trade by Mike Frisch (06.07.10)
When trolling this time of year, you’ll catch a fish here, another over there. Keep moving. For pike you can go two or three miles per hour: Walleyes like it a little slower, but you might be surprised how fast you can troll and still catch them.

Early Summer Trolling (05.18.10)
When trolling this time of year, you’ll catch a fish here, another over there. Keep moving. For pike you can go two or three miles per hour: Walleyes like it a little slower, but you might be surprised how fast you can troll and still catch them.

Boat And Truck Stuff (05.10.10)
The things just mentioned might not actually make more fish bite, but they might enable you to spend a little more time on the water, and I guess indirectly, that will maybe make more fish bite. If that’s the case, then you should have them whenever you go fishing.

Line Up For Walleye Fishing (04.14.10)
Selecting the proper line can make a big difference in your fishing success. Choose the appropriate line and you’ll increase your odds for fishing success.

Early Season Panfish (03.23.10)
If this panfish action hasn’t started where you live yet, it will soon. Check out the canals and bays on your favorite pond or lake. If there are panfish there, you’re going to catch them.

Crappie Time! (03.23.10)
Crappies invade the shallows in the spring, first to feed, and later to spawn. Shallow, dark-bottom bays on the north side of lakes are classic spring crappie haunts as these areas warm quickly, drawing in “crappie food”, which in turn draws crappies.

Go Fishing (02.16.10)
You don’t need to have a bunch of equipment to enjoy fishing. You need a place to go and a couple of hours. Most of us can come up with those. This year, when you get the time, go fishing. If you can’t get the time, make the time.

Thinking About Open Water Fishing (01.25.10)
I’m looking forward to some outstanding ice-fishing in February and March. I’m also looking forward to the warmer weather of May and June. People need to have something to look forward to. As anglers, we always have something to look forward to, and that’s a good thing.

Little Tips, Big Results (01.25.10)
Regularly checking your hooks is a good habit and one that is especially important when you are catching lots of fish or fishing around cover as those two situations often result in dull or damaged hooks.

Watch The Weather For Better Ice Fishing (01.07.10)
If you’re one of those folks who likes to fish through the ice, keep in mind that weather will affect the bite. If you’re on the ice and notice a change in weather, keep your bait where the fish are. That’s the only way to get bit.

Dress For Warm Winter Fishing (12.16.09)
In years past, being outside in the winter was often a test of endurance. Nowadays there is no reason to be cold when you’re outside. Keep these ideas in mind and you’ll enjoy your time outdoors in the winter even more.

Early Ice Ideas (12.03.09)
Get your stuff ready, and get out there as soon as the ice is safe. If you keep the above ideas in mind, you’ll up the odds for a successful early ice outing.

The Do-Nothing Rig For Early Walleyes (12.03.09)
Winter walleye fishing trips can be made even more successful by adding the do-nothing rig to traditional jigging techniques. As always, good luck on the water and ice!

Five Gotta Haves For Early Ice (11.17.09)
The biting winds of early winter often mean that aggressive walleyes are biting as well. Anglers who arm themselves with the aforementioned "gotta haves" will increase their odds for early ice walleye success this winter! As always, good luck on the ice.

End Of Season Fishing Tasks (11.11.09)
Fortunately we have ice-fishing to enjoy during the open water seasons. If you store your fishing tackle properly, you'll be ready when open water fishing returns.

Dont' Fish Memories (11.04.09)
It's ok to fish where you caught fish before, but if they're not there or not responding, do something different. Remember that if you fish memories, you might not make new memories.

Fish The Weedline In The Fall (10.19.09)
The weedline can provide lots of fall action. Make sure you're fishing healthy green weeds and keep moving until you find the fish. Catch a few, then when action slows move farther along the weedline. You'll get bit, you'll have a good time, and that's what fishing is all about.

Change Is In The Air (09.24.09)
Changes may need to take place in your fishing game plan to insure fall fishing success. There is another change that occurs at this time as well. That is that the jet-skis, water skiers, and pleasure boats have mostly disappeared for the year.

Top Three Tips For Fall Fishing (09.21.09)
It’s the end of September. Autumn is here. The fall season presents lots of great fishing opportunities for big fish and lots of fish. Wherever you live in the Midwest, there’s some sort of fishing close by that will be peaking in the next few weeks. Following are some ideas for cashing in on those fishing opportunities.

Catching Crappies (08.26.09)
When you get on a school of slab crappies, you're going to have a good time. Keep enough for a meal if you want, but be sure to put some back. These schools can be fished down very quickly, and once you find out how much fun these crappies are, you'll want to make sure there's some left for next time.

Change Ups For More Fish (08.11.09)
It’s important that we don’t get locked into fishing ideas too firmly. The fish don’t always do what we expect them to do. If we keep an open mind to fishing presentations, we’re going to catch more fish.

Family And Friends Fishing (08.04.09)
Take some snacks and drinks along, and sit back and enjoy them. Expose your partner to the total fishing experience like watching the wildlife along the shoreline, or just talking about stuff. Your lure doesn't need to be wet all the time.

Mid Summer Thoughts (07.29.09)
There seem to be more people fishing this year. Boat ramps have been more crowded than in the past. It’s good to see people fishing. Everyone using the boat ramps needs to remember to get the boat on or off the trailer, then move away from the ramp.

On The Move For Summer Crappie (06.18.09)
Regardless whether you choose to cast or troll, moving along the weedline and searching for an active school of summer crappie is not only an enjoyable way to fish, but an often productive one as well.

Early Summer Fishing Tips (06.06.09)
Anytime is a great time to go fishing, but I think if was limited to one month to fish for walleyes or bass, it would be June. The weather is more stable and the fish like to eat then, and that's a winner in my book.

Fishing Accessories That Will Help Your Fishing (05.26.09)
There are a lot of accessories available to fisher-people. There are some pieces of equipment that are permanent fixtures in my boat, and there are other items that I keep in the back of my truck so they can be quickly moved into the boat if needed.

Early Season Bass (05.20.09)
It's really fun and productive to poke around in the shallows for bass early in the season. If you're just looking for fishing action, give this shallow water technique a try soon.

Going Fishing This Year (04.20.09)
Don’t wait to go fishing when you have the time, make the time. As far as we know, we only go around once, so why not grab as much gusto as you can? Make this the fishing season that you grab lots of gusto.

Open Water Panfish Right Now (04.07.09)
If you’re anxious to get fishing, and you should be, find a panfish pond or lake in your area and get out there. The fish will bite if you just put a lure in front of them.

Early Season River Walleyes (03.30.09)
A slow presentation will be best when the walleyes are being picky this time of year. A stand-up head allows an angler to work the bait slowly better than a round head. The stand-up Fire-Ball jig is a great choice.

Fishing Questions (03.16.09)
Questions are good. Ask a successful angler about their success and you’ll find yourself being more successful at fishing.

Thoughts On Ice Fishing (01.26.09)
It’s about this time every year, after we’ve been on the ice a few times, when we realize that we’ve learned or re-learned some things that can contribute to ice-fishing success.

The Real Shopping Begins (01.19.09)
Many new items have been designed specifically for ice fishing. Those who received some holiday cash or a gift card may want to consider one of the items just mentioned as they can help make your ice fishing more successful yet this winter!

Small Details For Bigger Fish (01.11.09)
Keep in mind that there are lots of little things that you can do to catch more fish through the ice. If you do the little things, your catches will increase.

Slow Down For Ice-Fishing Action (12.11.08)
Electronics are a huge help in determining a fish’s attitude. I experimented with the new Humminbird ICE units last year. They performed really well in a variety of situations, and helped me catch fish that I wouldn’t have got without the benefit of sonar.

Early Ice Fishing Action (11.24.08)
Much of our early ice action will be sight-fishing: You will actually watch the fish approach and, hopefully, eat your bait. If they’re doing more approaching than eating, you’ve got to do something different.

Get Ready For Ice Fishing (11.11.08)
As I look out the window, it seems like ice-fishing is far away, but I know how quickly the weather changes this time of year. Get ready for ice-fishing, because it will be here sooner than you think.

Color Catches Fish (Sometimes) (10.30.08)
There are other color issues that we’ll talk about sometime, but for now, just be aware that, spring, summer, winter, or fall, lure color can be a very important consideration when you’re selecting a lure.

Fish The Wind In The Fall (10.09.08)
It generally doesn’t matter if you’re after walleyes, muskies, northern pike, largemouth or smallmouth bass: In the fall, if you want to experience success, you should be fishing areas that the wind is blowing into.

Big Baits For Big Bass In The Fall (09.22.08)
For many anglers, not many experiences compare to a nice fall day on the water catching largemouth bass. Find out for yourself how much fun this action can be.

Fall Fishing Tips (9.8.08)
Across the Midwest, fall provides probably your best bet for taking a trophy, and it’s also an outstanding time just to be on the water. In the next few weeks, find out for yourself just how much autumn has to offer the angler.

Summer Is Winding Down (8/25/08)
The fishing action at the end of summer can be a little slower than we’re accustomed to, but by moving around you’ll still catch fish. And this brief lull in the fishing action signals that some of the best fishing of the year is getting very close.

Fishing Heats Up (7.30.08)
It’s fun to be on the water when the sun comes up, catch a bunch of fish, maybe take a late morning break and then be back on the water in early evening.

Swimbait Bass (7.7.08)
We simply cast the swim bait to the shoreline area and started reeling slowly. The strikes were savage: The fish really wanted to eat this thing.

Find 'Em and Catch'em In The Summer (6.30.08)
When you’re on the water in the next couple of months, just remember that if you want to find the game fish, you’ve got to find their food. Do that and you’ll be successful at catching them.

Better For The Fish And The Fisherman (6.18.08)
Fishing season is here: Now is the time to put your landing net into use. Keep the above ideas in mind and you’ll be using that landing net more effectively.

Crappies On Jigs (6.18.08)
Wherever you live in the Midwest, crappies are willing to bite right now. Find them, give them what they want, and you’re going to catch them.

Get Ready For Summer Fishing (5.28.08)
Early summer, which is usually late May and most of June throughout the Midwest, is an outstanding time to be on the water. Get out there as much as you can in the next few weeks.

Jigs For Early Season Walleyes (5.5.08)
Right now is the time to use jigs for walleyes. If you keep the above ideas in mind, you’re going to catch more walleyes.

Early Season Fishing Tips (4.28.08)
Keep these ideas in mind when you’re fishing in the next few weeks and you’ll greatly enhance your odds for fishing success.

Slip Bobbers For More Fish (04.15.08)
You can use a jig or a plain hook below a bobber: They each have a place that we’ll talk about later on. For now, just realize that in some situations, slip-bobbers will definitely help you catch more fish.

Get Ready For Open Water (03.24.08)
I was introduced to a two-jig technique that was new to me last year. Before I try it this year, I need to practice tying the special knot that’s used to attach the second jig to the line.

Early Season River Walleyes (03.17.08)
Jig color can be very important. River waters are often stained in the spring. If that is the case, go with a jig that is mostly chartreuse or orange. A glow jig will be even better in some situations.

Late Ice Panfish (02.25.08)
Keep a close eye on the ice conditions, but if it’s safe, get out there for some late season panfish action. I’ve always found that late ice panfish are a great way to start the new open water season.

For Variety Try Pelican Lake (02.5.07)
Pelican Lake also has a strong population of largemouth bass. I’ve done best catching them on crankbaits and jig/worm combos along the weedline.

Different Lure Actions For Different Fish (01.29.08)
Whether you’re fishing open water or through the ice, if you pay attention to the action you’re putting on the bait, you’re going to catch more fish.

Hold 'Em High (01.07.08)
While putting a bait a foot above a fish will often result in a strike, putting a bait a foot below a fish will almost always result in no strike.

Selecting An Ice Fishing Shelter (12/3/07)
I enjoy all three types of ice-fishing, but if I was limited to one technique, it would be the portable shelter. The comfort and mobility of portable shelters enable an angler to be warm yet productive, and that’s a winning combination.

Fishing Things To Think About (11/28/07)
Traditional beliefs are that crappies are suspending fish and that walleyes are bottom-huggers. Yet in these situations, the crappies were on the bottom and the walleyes were up high.

Selecting A Line For Ice Fishing (11/19/07)
Just as in open water fishing, the line you choose will have an impact on how many bites you get and how many fish you put on the ice.

Lessons From A Season Of Fishing (11/8/07)
Every fishing season should be a learning experience. It’s important to remember that we shouldn’t do the same thing the same way all the time. If you keep that in mind, you’re going to catch more fish.

Cold Weather Fishing (10/30/07)
There are some great fishing opportunities available right now, and you’ll enjoy them much more if you’re dressed properly.

Fall Smallmouth in Rivers (10/1/07)
Fortunately, most areas with good smallmouth populations have established progressive regulations to protect these battlers. A lot of abuse could be inflicted on these bass when they are grouped up in the fall. Get out now and you just might see what I mean.

Soft Bait In The Autum (9/17/07)
Lots of baits will do the job in the fall, but if I was limited to one presentation, I think it would be what was just described. Now is a great time for you to find out just how productive soft bait on a jig can be this time of year.

Toothy Fish In The Fall (9/7/07)
Muskies and trophy pike are rarely an easy thing, but they might be just a little easier in the next few weeks. If you want to catch a big toothy fish, now is probably your best chance to do so.

Get Ready For Fall Fishing (8/14/07)
Fall is when the true trophies are most susceptible. If you’re ready to catch them when they’re ready to bite, you’ve increased your odds of catching that once-in-a-lifetime fish.

Success During The Dog Days of Summer (7/23/07)
Although fish can get a little more difficult to catch, they’ll still eat. In fact, if you keep a few ideas in mind, you can catch plenty of fish during the dog-days.

Trailering Ideas (7/16/07)
This is the time of year when it’s good to check on something that many anglers don’t think about checking on. That would be your boat trailer.

Net Your Catch (6/30/07)
When you’ve got the fish coming toward the boat, the netter should put the net just a little below the surface of the water and allow the angler to lead the fish into the net.

Summer Fishing Ideas (6/14/07)
We’re just starting to get into the summer months, so now is a good time to think about a few ideas that will help us catch more fish throughout the summer.

Early Summer Bass Bite (6/4/07)
Hungry fish are usually easier to catch, and that’s a good thing. Here’s how you can catch those bass in the early weeks of summer.

Fishing And Gas Prices (5/23/07)
Fishing isn’t and shouldn’t be an activity that excludes some folks because of cost. Fishing is a sport that virtually anyone can enjoy regardless of finances.

Early Season Walleyes (5/14/07)
Keep moving until you find the fish, then refine your presentation until you know exactly what they want and how they want it.

Land That Lunker (4/24/07)
Alright, you got the fish to bite, your line was fresh so there were no problems there, now you have the fish at the surface right at the side of the boat.

Get Ready For Open Water Fishing (4/11/07)
It’s amazing again how many anglers worry about having the right lures, sharp hooks, fish location, and a host of other things, then go fishing with line that’s three years old.

Lessons From Ice Fishing For Open Water Fishing (3/27/07)
Ice-fishing, at least for me, is done for the season. However, the things we learn on the ice can help us catch more fish in open water.

Early Season Walleyes In Rivers (3/13/07)
As the water rises and current flow increases, the walleyes in those rivers receive the signal that the annual spawning season is approaching.

Crankbaits For Walleyes This Year (3/4/07)
Crankbaits have developed a reputation of appealing to big walleyes. In fact, many anglers have caught their personal biggest walleyes on crankbaits.

Presentations For Finicky Fish (2/1/07)
Sometimes when ice-fishing, the fish really want to bite. That’s when an angler can get by with presentations that aren’t real precise.

Sonar For Ice Fishing (1/8/07)
Just as in open water, sonar will help you catch more fish through the ice. Watch it carefully as you fish and you’ll be amazed at how many more fish it will put on the ice for you.

Fool Finicky Fish (12/11/06)
Remember that even finicky fish can sometimes be convinced to eat your bait. Try the things we just talked about and you’ll be more successful with finicky fish more often.

Ice Fishing Update (11/29/06)
Ice-fishing season is just getting started. When you get the chance, check out the new products for ice-fishing, and then be sure to give them plenty of opportunities to produce.

What's Your Line For Ice Fishing (11/14/06)
Of course there are more things to consider than just your line, but when you have the location of the fish and the lure they want to eat figured out, line becomes pretty darn important.

Walleyes At Night (10/1/06)
On some bodies of water, at some times of the year, the walleyes bite best at night. That is especially true in the fall months. Here is how you can get in on this action.

Follow The Food For More Fish (9/25/06)
Just like you can expect to find some people around a fast-food place at noon, you can expect to find fish around their food in the fall.

Why Fish In The Fall (9/10/06)
Autumn is a wonderful time of the year for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Deciding what to do can be challenging because there are so many options.

Shallow Fall Bass (8/29/06)
During the fall months it’s not unusual to have the entire lake to yourself. Look for the areas where the vegetation is near deep water, and keep moving around.

Try Something New For More Fish (8/7/06)
Fish get conditioned to lures. When you show them something different they will often respond. Eventually they will become conditioned to the SaberTail. Then it will be time to try something different.

Courtesy at the Boat Ramp (7/24/06)
Loading and unloading your boat doesn’t need to be a stressful event. Use common sense and consider the other boaters waiting to get their boat in the water and you’ll be on your way to a fun day on the water.

Work The Wind For More Fish (7/17/06)
In many fishing situations the wind, in moderate amounts, will be your friend. It breaks up the light entering the water, which encourages the fish to eat even during the middle of the day.

When The Bite Gets Tough (6/26/06)
Fish don’t quit eating in the summer: In fact, they probably eat more. If they’re not biting for you, you need to experiment and try different things to make them bite.

Find Fish in The Summer (6/14/06)
With all the innovations in rods and reels and boats and motors and lures, the key to fishing success is still finding the fish.

Stained Water Walleyes (5/29/06)
Spinner color was critical. The best ones were the Baitfish-Image Spinners in the Gold Perch or Firetiger patterns. We tried all the colors, but these were by far the best.

Keep Quiet In The Shallows (5/8/06)
If you keep in mind that any sort of noise or too much motion will have an affect on how many fish you’ll catch, you’re going to increase your odds of catching more fish in shallow water throughout the summer months.

Spool Up For More Fishing Success (4/3/06)
Think about the type of fishing you do the most of, then select the line that will work best for your style of fishing.

Fishing For A Meal (3/20/06)
We must remember, we can’t keep taking and taking and taking from Mother Nature. If we do, pretty soon she’ll stop giving.

Last Chance for Ice Walleyes (3/7/06)
In a year when ice-fishing has been hit-or-miss for a lot of anglers, this late season walleye action can be a real hit.

Which Boat for You? (2/22/06)
Ask lots of questions, consider all your options, and have fun with the boat buying experience. You’ll enjoy that new boat more if you do.

Catching Pressured Fish Through The Ice (2/13/06)
It’s amazing how much area an ice-angler can cover in a day. Keep moving, drill a good number of holes, and eventually you’ll find an area that is holding fish.

Late Winter Bluegills (2/13/06)
Following the tips just provided will hopefully help anglers wanting to get in on some of that fast fishing action this late winter

Perch Through The Ice Right Now (2/7/06)
Don’t think that just because the weather has been warm that there is no ice-fishing to be had. There is, and right now it can be very good.

It's Sportshow Season (1/26/06)
Some folks look forward to them just like children look forward to Christmas. When the sportshow comes near your town, be sure to check it out.

Looking Forward to Open Water (1/23/06)
I look forward to spending time on the water on warm spring afternoons, windy summer afternoons, and again on warm fall afternoons.

Sit Still For More Perch (1/9/06)
From now until the end of the ice-fishing season, you will want to keep moving until you find the perch, but once you find them, sit still and you’ll catch them.

Trolling on Ice (12/15/05)
Right now is the perfect time to get on the ice and do some trolling. If you do, you are going to be successful at ice-fishing.

Electronics on Ice (12/5/05)
Be sure to take full advantage of your sonar when you’re ice-fishing. If you let it show you what the fish want, you’re going to catch more fish.

Another Fishing Season of Learning (11/15/05)
If you pay attention to the small things, the big things will take care of themselves, and you will be more successful at catching fish.

Drop-Shotting For More Fish (10/27/05)
There are many other bodies of water across the Midwest that can be effectively fished with drop-shot rigs, you just need to give drop-shotting a try.

Late Season Walleyes (10/20/05)
It can be cold on the water this time of year, but when the bite starts, you can find some hot action.

Hot Fishing In The Fall (10/1/05)
Whatever specie of fish you choose to chase, you can bet that if you get a few warm days in the fall, there will be some biters.

Three Tips for Better Fall Fishing (10/1/05)
Some lakes are better in the spring, some are better in the fall. It makes sense to spend your time on lakes that produce better in the fall.

Bulk Up For Bigger Bass (9/1/05)
There are lots of big, bulky baits to catch big fat bass in the fall. Two favorite presentations of many accomplished bass anglers are a bulked up spinnerbait or a bulked up jig.

Keep Your Fishing Costs Low (8/28/05)
Some anglers think if you want truly good fishing in a wilderness setting, you need to go to Canada. Not true!

Shallow Water Fall Fish (8/28/05)
If you’re there when they move shallow, the bite will be something that you remember for a long time.

Fish in Rivers in Hot Weather (8/7/05)
Since river fish will frequently bite better in the summer than lake fish, they should be easier to catch, right?

Big Baits for Big Fish (7/13/05)
You might be surprised how big a bait you can use and still catch fish.

Sloppy Bass (7/1/05)
If you’re looking for hand-to-hand combat with a fish, there are plenty of places in the Midwest where you can find sloppy bass...

Plastics for Bass (6/21/05)
If you’re looking for action, and who isn’t when they go fishing, try using a jig/plastic combination along a weedline for largemouth bass.

Grubs: Simple but Effective (6/20/05)
Cast and retrieving grubs can be a great way to catch fish and hopefully the suggestions just offered will be of benefit.....

Getting On The Water (6/6/05)
The most important thing is to take your time in getting ready to launch your boat.

Shallow Water Largemouth (5/18/05)
When they are shallow, bass can be easy to catch. However, there are a couple things we need to keep in mind when chasing largemouth for the best chance at success.

Net 'Em When You Can (5/9/05)
Don’t try to net the fish too quickly. You don’t need to fight the fish to exhaustion, but you certainly don’t want to try to net it before it’s ready.

Panfish For The Season Starter (4/21/05)
Pretty much wherever you live in the Midwest, panfish are fair game, they can be readily caught, and they’re great on the table.

Catch Walleyes Early In The Season (3/28/05)
Throughout the Midwest, the early season walleye bite starts at different times. The farther north, the later the start.

Finding Open Water Fish (3/15/05)
A new open water fishing season is here or near. In many areas of the Midwest, anglers are already chasing fish from their boats or are wading in search of walleyes, panfish, and bass.

It's Not Too Late For Ice Fishing (3/10/05)
I just returned from one of those fantastic ice-fishing trips in South Dakota, and from the appearance of ice conditions, there is still a lot of ice-fishing to do in that area.

New Line for a New Season (3/10/05)
For most discussions, there are two types of fishing line, the monofilaments and the superlines.

A New Lake: Where to Go? (2/15/05)
Finding and catching fish on unfamiliar waters can be a difficult, yet very rewarding experience. Here are some thoughts on how to go about fishing a “new” lake.

Thinking of Open Water (1/18/05)
It’s that time of year when an anglers thoughts turn to open water. Although there is still lots of ice-fishing to do, it is only natural to look two months ahead........

New Years Resolutions 2005 (1/1/05)
It’s the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. Each New Year holds promise and reasons for optimism for all of us.

Panfish On Ice (12/20/04)
Just like any fish specie, panfish numbers can be fished down, and once you discover how much fun panfish can be, you will want to make sure their numbers aren’t depleted.

Ice Perch (12/15/04)
Perch can provide lots of action and they’re great in the frying pan. Right now is the perfect time to get on a good perch spot to find out for yourself.

Gift Ideas For The Outdoors Person (12/09/04)
Instead of agonizing over what gift to give your outdoors-person, perhaps some additional time in the boat, on the ice, or just walking through the woods would be a nice thing.

On the Go For Winter Walleyes (12/02/04)
Staying mobile helps increase ice fishing success. The use of good sonar equipment also helps land more fish.

It's Just About Winter (11/17/04)
Finding early season fish is a key to good fishing action. Once found, early ice ‘eyes can be relatively easy to catch.

Get Ready For Ice Fishing (11/01/04)
Following are some things you should check for ice-fishing if you haven't already done so, and I'm betting you haven't.

Big Fish on Big Baits (9/29/04)
If you put in your time on big fish water, you will catch a trophy, perhaps the biggest walleye or smallmouth you’ve ever caught.

Fall Walleyes on Jigs (8/30/04)
Plastic baits are available in a variety of shapes and colors as well, while minnows only come in one color and shape.

Catch Fish in Rivers (7/27/04)
Rivers are everywhere in the Midwest, and they provide some wonderful fishing opportunities. Find out for yourself this year how good they can be.

Mid Summer Smorgasbord (7/21/04)
....if you just want to feel something pull back and don’t care what type of fish it is that you catch, here are some ideas for doing so.

Walleyes On Boards (7/13/04)
Planer boards may look tricky to use, but they aren’t. Try them once and you will be on your way to bigger and better walleye catches right now.

If I Only Had One Rod and Reel (7/12/04)
Anglers can hopefully use these suggestions to make a good choice when purchasing a rod and reel combination. Good luck with that decision and, as always, good luck on the water!

Mid-Summer Maintenance (7/6/04)
As we go through the fishing season sometimes our fishing gear gets a little beat up, especially if we’re using it as much as we should.

Shallow Bass on Plastic Baits (6/6/04)
Shallow water fish are often aggressive, but they are also easily spooked. Approach the area to be fished very quietly.

Tips For Success With Livebait (6/6/04)
I hear anglers often say, “that’s good enough” when they inspect their bait. For me, it’s only good enough if it’s as lively as possible.

Three Ways For More Walleyes (5/24/04)
Anglers don’t often pay a lot of attention to the swivel being used in their rigging, but in this case, the swivel being used is a very important part of the equation.

Keep Your Bait In The Fish Zone (5/2/04)
The size of the fish’s strike zone is an important consideration. If you keep that in mind, you will catch more fish.

The Opener Is Finally Here! (5/2/04)
The opening of the game fish season, commonly referred to as “The Walleye Opener”, is just around the corner.

Catch More Fish Right Now (4/22/04)
Some fishing methods are better in the spring, some are better in the summer, others are better in the fall. Following are some ideas that will help you catch more fish right now.

Jig Trolling: A Simple But Effective Method (4/22/04)
While entire books have been written on the subject of jig fishing for walleyes, jig trolling is one jigging method that is not only easy to learn, but very productive as well.

What's New For The Angler In 2004 (4/22/04)
The first thing that I think should be in every walleye angler’s tackle box is a good selection of Rattlin’ Fire-Ball Jigs.

Chase The Other Fish (4/14/04)
If you enjoy specializing on one particular specie of fish that’s fine, but you’re missing out on a lot of other very good fishing opportunities.

Your Next Boat (4/14/04)
Anglers and boaters have many choices available to them. I have been running Alumacraft boats and Honda outboard for a number of years and have been very pleased with the performance and reliability both provide.

Boat Control For More Fish (3/17/04)
Many anglers consider their boat to be simply a transportation vehicle for getting to and from a spot, and a boat certainly is that. However, a boat is also a base of operation.

Try Plastic For More Fish (3/9/04)
A new addition to the plastic bait family is actually not a plastic bait. Gulp! products look like plastic, but are made of a different material that allows scent to emanate from it more freely and effectively.

Slow Down For More Fish (2/24/04)
At times it works well to cover lots of water when searching for fish, but there are times that, once the fish are found, it will be more productive to slow down and give the fish plenty of time to hit.

Have You Ever Noticed? (2/16/04)
As a person who spends quite a bit of time outdoors, it’s kind of interesting to see how anglers and hunters go about their days in the outdoors.

End of Season Ice Fishing (2/9/04)
Experiment a lot with color and lure action. When the fish are conditioned to lures, lure color can make a big difference.

See It At The Sportshow (1/26/04)
Across the Midwest, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts are visiting sportshows to find new fishing locations and equipment that will make their fishing and outdoor time more productive and enjoyable.

Keep Moving For More Fish (1/19/04)
These ideas for ice-fishing are appropriate for open-water fishing as well. If there are a bunch of boats fishing an area, move to the edge of the area, or try another area.

Two Fishing Hotspots for 2004 (1/13/04)
It is this time of year when a lot of anglers are planning their fishing trips for the upcoming spring, summer, and fall.

Luring Walleyes Through The Ice (1/05/04)
At times, the action of the lure will have a big impact on how many fish you will catch. Here are some things to consider when it comes to luring walleyes.

Mid Winter Perch (12/29/03)
Every now and then even the best ice-anglers have differing views on how to go about catching perch through the ice in mid-winter.

Ice Fishing With Kids (12/23/03)
While it is true that kids and fishing do make for a great summer activity, the winter season offers another opportunity for kids to enjoy fishing.

Layering For Outdoor Warmth (12/18/03)
Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying outdoor activities. Learn to layer and you will enjoy the cold weather months even more.

Ice Fishing Destinations for 2004 (12/9/03)
There are lots of ice-fishing spots near where you live, but if you want to try an area that is special, consider Rainy Lake in northern Minnesota or Devils Lake in north central North Dakota.

Early Ice Walleyes (12/2/03)
Make sure the ice is safe, and when you’re sure it is, take advantage of the walleye fishing that can be so hot under early ice.

Superlines For Better Fishing (sometimes) - (11/24/03)
Superlines look different, feel different, and perform differently than monofilament. Superlines are of a different construction.

Luring Walleyes Through The Ice (11/17/03)
Most anglers who go ice fishing employ a sonar unit. The sonar will help determine the activity level of the fish.

Early Ice Panfish (11/10/03)
Remember, be careful, quiet, and don’t move too much and you’re on your way to a successful ice-fishing outing.

Dressing For The Outdoors (11/3/03)
This is the time of year when there are lots of outdoor activities, but if we aren’t dressed appropriately, we not going to be able to enjoy those activities.

A New Fishing Rod (10/22/03)
Whatever your fishing skill level, there is a great selection of rods at excellent values available to you.

Crankbaits in Fall (10/13/03)
The key is selecting the right crankbait, then putting it where the fish live. Here are some ideas for doing that.

Fish Deep in The Fall (10/03/03)
In the fall, in many bodies of water throughout the Midwest, there will be good numbers of a wide variety of fish in deep water, and much of the time they will be biters.

Panfish in The Fall (9/27/03)
Whether we’re talking about bluegills, crappies, yellow bass, or perch, there is no question that if a meal of fish is the goal, you won’t go wrong with panfish.

Fall for Walleyes (9/5/03)
If you decide to take advantage of the walleye fishing this time of year, don’t be surprised if you catch the biggest one you’ve taken so far.

Summer is Over, Fishing Isn't (8/26/03)
So even though summer has passed, there is still lots of time to get out and enjoy great fishing action!

Catch More Fish in Rivers (8/19/03)
If you’re wading or floating a small to mid-sized river, you might catch lots of fish and see all kinds of wildlife.

Get Ready for Fall Fishing (8/13/03)
The time for big fish throughout the Midwest is quickly approaching; here is how you can take advantage of the great fishing available during the fall months.

Crawlers, Leeches or Minnows? (8/4/03)
Fish don’t want dried up scraggly bait anymore than you would want a piece of pizza that smells and looks bad. Good bait catches fish.

Mid Summer Catfish (7/15/03)
Catfish are a great fish that can be caught regularly, perhaps more regularly than other species of fish, right now. Wherever you live in the Midwest, there are some waiting to be caught close to your home.

Crankbaits Catch Fish (7/4/03)
Crankbaits are a lure type that will trick a variety of fish, but for maximum effectiveness, there are a few things we should keep in mind if we are to be successful with crankbaits.

The Best Fishing of the Year? (5/20/03)
If you do these things, you will discover why so many anglers look so forward to this time of year.

Crankbaits Catch Fish (5/12/03)
...the best way to learn how to use crankbaits is to put one in the water and get fishing, and right now is a great time to do so.

Early Season Walleyes (5/6/03)
Finding early season walleyes is the first step in the fish-catching equation.

Giant Spring Pike (5/6/03)
If you want to catch a big pike, here are some ideas for doing so.

Try Something New This Season
To this angler, one of the most enjoyable things about our sport is that it presents opportunities to fish for different species of fish using a variety of equipment and lures.

Early Season Crappies
Spring is here and so are the first open-water fishing trips of the year. For some of us those first trips will involve the pursuit of panfish. Probably the
most pursued spring panfish is the crappie.

Fishing in Shallow Water
In the spring, most of your fishing action will take place in shallow water. That's where the fish spawn this time of year, so that's where you're going to find them.

The Right Jig For More Fish
Jigs are a great bait to be using right now. By selecting the jig that matches the situation, you are increasing your odds for success.

Fishing Success On Rivers Right Now
Right now is a good time to visit the river near your home. Let your bait work with the current when possible, keep the lure near the bottom, and pay attention for light bites.

Covering Equipment Bases for Early Ice Success
Now is a good time for anglers to take an hour or two to organize their ice fishing gear and to purchase any equipment needed so they’re ready for the hot early ice bite.

A New Idea for Slip Bobber Fishing
Bobbers have been around almost as long as people have been fishing. Slip-bobbers have been used by anglers for a long time also.

Keep Moving for More Fish
Patience might be a virtue in some things, but when it comes to fishing, a little patience is good, but too much patience will decrease your fish catch.

Shallow Water Walleyes
Don't let old notions about walleyes being a fish of deep water prevent you from taking advantage of the shallow action that walleyes can often provide.

Fishing for the "Other Stuff"
Sometimes anglers get in a rut. They become so focused on one specie of fish that they forget about the real meaning of fishing.

Dress for Ice Fishing Success
Layering clothing on your torso is the way to go. A lightweight, long-sleeved pullover shirt goes on first, next a hooded sweatshirt, then a vest.

Tip Ups For More Fish
You can sit back and grill hamburgers while you're waiting for a flag to go, or you can work a jig rod nearby.

Fishing Ideas for 2001
I'm not going to eat any Cajun chicken strips at 11:00 at night at the greasy restaurant connected to any motel I stay at.

The Good Old Days of Fishing
In the mid 1960's, the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities of Minnesota was essentially an open sewer. Only four species of fish could survive in the filthy water.

Ice Fishing Observations
Underwater cameras have become very popular in the past two or three years, and as prices come down, they will become even more popular. It's easy to see why.

Catch More Fish Through The Ice
For the best chance for success, you need to decide what specie of fish you will be after, then tailor when, where, and how you will fish for that specie of fish.

Walleyes on Early Ice
Walleyes that were biting late in the open-water season continue to bite aggressively under the new ice, often in the same areas they were feeding in before freeze-over.

Ice Fishing Can Make You a Better Open Water Angler
.... if you do some experimenting while you're ice-fishing, you can learn things that will make you a better open-water angler.

Selecting a Line for Ice Fishing
....the line you choose to attach the lure to often does play a major role in how many fish you will catch.

Early Ice Action
Safety should be a prime consideration whenever you're on the water, either on the ice or in a boat. Safety is even more critical on early ice.

Looking Back on a Fishing Season
As anglers or hunters, we must put more emphasis on the entire outdoor experience and less emphasis on killing limits of fish or game. The outdoors is a very special place.

Walleyes in Rivers
If you want to go to the dam to start, that's fine. However, don't spend the whole day there if action is slow. There will be plenty of walleyes in other locations if you take the time to look for them.

A New Technique for Year Round Fishing
Dropshotting is going to become an important angling technique. Get in on the ground floor of this productive method and watch your catches increase on days when no one else is having much action.

Toothy Trophies
Contrary to what some anglers believe, the really big pike and muskies are usually in or near deep water this time of year.

Tip-Ups on Early Ice
The first few weeks of ice fishing can provide really good action for most species of fresh-water fish.

Get Ready for Ice Fishing
Get ready for ice-fishing right now and you’ll be ready when it’s time to go.

Early Ice Walleyes
As soon as you are sure the ice is safe, try to be on it to get in on some fast early-ice walleye action.

Midwest Muskies
Muskies are like any other fish. You must find them before you can catch them. This era we're living in right now provides the best opportunity to fish for muskies, and have a good chance to catch one, than ever before.

Fishing the Internet
Some anglers have learned that the Internet is a tremendous source of fishing advice and information. Here’s how you can take advantage of the Internet to increase your fishing success, as well as your enjoyment of fishing.

It's Sportshow Season
So far this year, there are a few pieces of angling gear that have really caught my eye. Here a few of those things

Tip-Ups on Early Ice
The first few weeks of ice fishing can provide really good action for most species of fresh-water fish.

Get Ready for Ice Fishing
Get ready for ice-fishing right now and you’ll be ready when it’s time to go.

Early Ice Walleyes
As soon as you are sure the ice is safe, try to be on it to get in on some fast early-ice walleye action.

Sonar in Your Fishing
If you haven’t made sonar a part of your fishing, now is a good time to consider doing so.

Perch on Ice
Pretty much everyone who goes ice-fishing likes to catch perch.

Winter Walleyes
At a time when many anglers are either getting ready to go ice-fishing or are already out on the ice, a few knowledgeable anglers are still working many of the Midwest’s rivers for walleyes.

Fishing Regulations for the Future
Progressive regulations for our fish and game populations that are based on common sense and with modern outdoors-people in mind will insure that the outdoor future remains positive.

Nite Bite Walleyes
Typically, clear lakes are best for night-fishing.

Jigs/Craws for Fall Largemouth
One of the best techniques for taking hungry fall largemouth bass is casting a rubber-legged jig/plastic crawfish combination to points and pockets on deep weedlines.

Fall for Walleyes in Rivers
...... if you live near a river, the best choice might be to get over to that river and catch some walleyes.

Fall for Northern Pike
Here’s how you can take advantage of this time of year to catch perhaps your biggest pike ever.

Fall for Crappies
Perhaps the best time of the year to take really slab-sized crappies, and lots of them, is in the fall.

Get Ready for Fall Fishing
The reasons for fishing in the fall are many. The potential for big fish and lots of fish, wonderful weather, lots of wildlife sightings, and much more.

Early Fall Fishing
This time of year it pays to keep moving. Because the fish are changing locations, you might find some on shallow points, others on sunken islands, and others suspended over deep water.

An Anglers Christmas Wish List
Remember how fortunate we are to live in a place where we can think about things like fishing and the outdoors and not somewhere where Christmas is just another day of attempted survival.

Deep Water Crappies
During the summer months, crappies become a fish of mystery to many anglers

Action On The Weedline
When it comes to catching fish in the summer, one of the most important things is finding the food that the larger fish will eat.

Catch More Fish in 1999
Another open water fishing season is quickly approaching. In fact, the bite is on on many of the rivers that meander throughout the Midwest.

Selecting a Fishing Rig
There are a few factors to consider when you begin the search for a new or different boat.

Fishing Photos
Fishing creates memories. Many us of have fond memories of days on the water with family members and friends. Recording those memories on film is a wonderful way to recall those times.

Two-Fisted Approach for Walleyes
Ice-fishing season for walleyes is here. There are lots of very good methods for taking walleyes through the ice, but at times some techniques will out-produce others.

Catch More Walleyes on Soft Plastics
To increase your odds of showing the fish the color they want, use a Grub of one color with a jig-head of a different color.

Fishing Lessons From 1999
This is the time of year when we should be thinking about new techniques to try next year while last year’s successful tricks are still fresh in our minds.

When They Won't Bite
Next time you’re on the ice or the water and think you’re on fish but they just won’t take, here are some things you might want to try.

Selecting a Line for the New Season
Most anglers realize the importance of fresh fishing line and choose this time of year to re-spool their reels with new line.

Selecting A Rod
Most anglers have more than one rod, just like most golfers have more than one club. Let your personal preferences and fishing techniques be your guide in selecting a new rod.

Choosing a Reel
The reel you choose should be smooth, trouble-free, and comfortable to use. Fortunately, there are lots of reels available that meet those requirements for today's anglers.

Get the Net
If you net the fish, you’re getting it in the boat faster, so you can get your lure back in the water faster.

Ice Fishing South Dakota Style
These huge perch weigh a true pound and a half to two pounds, with some going even larger. It is hard to imagine what a legitimate two-pound perch looks like until you actually see one.

Late Season Perchin
Ask around at tackle-shops or wherever ice-anglers gather for an idea of the productive depth, then pop some holes and watch your depth-finder for the presence of fish.

Late Season Ice Fishing
Although the end of another ice-fishing season is in sight, there are still plenty of opportunities to get on the ice. As long as the ice is safe, you should try to get on it.

First Trip Panfish
Shortly after the ice goes out, panfish will go on a bite. This can be a pretty inconsistent bite however.

Get Ready for Open Water Fishing
.......some of the things you can do to insure that you are ready to go fishing when the lakes open up.

Spring Walleyes in Rivers
Walleyes will move behind rocks, logs, into backwater areas, anything that slows the water flow might appeal to the fish.

Choosing a Line
Be sure to start the fishing season with fresh line that is appropriate for the fishing you will be doing and you will enjoy your fishing even more, and you'll probably catch more fish.

Tips for Early Spring Fishing
You just can't beat a sunny spring day on the water. The fishing can be very good, and the sounds of spring will add to the experience.

Make Noise to Catch More Fish
Fishing can be very good early in the season. Don't stay home just because the water has some color in it.

Get Ready for Open Water
Performing these small tasks now will help to insure that the first fishing trip of the year will be smooth and enjoyable.

Slip Bobbers for Spring Fish
Slip-bobbers are a great way to catch fish at different times throughout the year. Right now is one of those times.

Ideas For Fishing Boat Options
Anglers know that there is always something that we can add to the boat, and right now is about the best time to be looking at all the stuff available to make our time on the water more enjoyable and more productive.

Buying a Boat
The boat-buying experience, just as fishing, should be a pleasurable one. Look around, ask questions, then decide on the boat that's best for your needs and wants. Then all you have to do is wait for open water.

Early Summer Eyes
Walleyes can be taken using a variety of techniques this time of year, but live-bait rigs and jigs are favored by many anglers.

Shallow Water Bass
When the bass are shallow, they are often in the feeding mode. This doesn't mean they will be easy to catch, however.

Early Season Eyes
There are a variety of ways to catch early season walleyes. Typically, the earlier in the year, the slower you will want your lure presentation to be.

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