®

Many areas across the ice belt have been experiencing very abnormal warming lately and that has jeopardized the conditions of the ice. With that being said, many are still ice fishing and the need of “ice safety” needs to be reminded about again. By taking precautions and having the right safety equipment with you, is key to having an enjoyable day on the ice. Common sense and being aware of your surroundings, is always vital any time that you step foot onto the ice. For the

My wife and I had friends visiting from the east side of the state last weekend to go to some Rush hockey games and I'd convinced them to come out on the ice with me to Pactola. Chad had been out with me before a couple of years, but Kelly hadn't been ice fishing before, so I said that we'd start fishing in the marina to see if any bluegills, crappie or rainbow trout were in the area, get them used to using flashers and moving around, then go out onto the main lake and try fo

Northland Tackle, Fishing the Midwest and HSM Outdoors have teamed up together for bringing you a new Video series called "The Northland Fisherman". This episode: FInding Walleyes on Mille Lacs - Tony Roach

During the course of the last week leading up to today, we have heard of several vehicles falling through the ice as well as snow machines and wheelers getting into pickles. We have also recently heard of casualties as well. The old saying, "ice is never safe" should be at the back of all our heads as anglers. With the warm up we have encountered, mixed in with the rain, it has been a perfect recipe for un-safe ice. In lower parts of the state, anglers are even experiencing o

Often times, shallow prairie lakes less than 8ft deep can offer some great panfish. The downside is, these fertile lakes can also freeze out or winter kill every 3-5 years. Once it winter kills, it becomes a forgotten lake and usually is driven by without any thought. With the help of the DNR and stocking programs, these lakes can be brought back in a few years. I have had my eye on a few of these lakes that hopefully will be rebounding soon, but still be forgotten by the maj

Northland Tackle, Fishing the Midwest and HSM Outdoors have teamed up together for bringing you a new Video series called "The Northland Fisherman". This episode: Keeping it Simple - Mike Frisch

With our unbelievably warm winter that we have been having, we still have yet to be able to ice fish locally. So this past weekend found us driving 2 hours north for finding good ice once again, there definitely is a line from where the ice isn’t safe to having no issues for ice thickness. As with many of the lakes that we fish, we have favorite areas that typically hold the fish we are looking for but at the same time, we want to learn more about every body of water that we

One of the best things that I enjoy about ice fishing and having all the tools to be successful on the ice, is taking people out for their first trips or reintroducing them to the sport. It is a very gratifying experience and one of the best ways I can think of to pay the sport back for the good times it has shown me. I also look for the opportunity to introduce others to it and give them a reason to enjoy the winters here in the Black Hills. Recently, I took a friend, his li

When people think “bluegill”, they often think shallow water weed beds and submerged structure. You’re on the right track, but don’t be afraid to try the deep water for suspended fish. On this outing, we targeted pan fish in over thirty feet of water, our trip was a success with landing a handful of very respectable fish. Most of the fish caught were found in water forty feet deep suspended ten to fifteen feet off the bottom. While marking fish on the Vexilar, we soon realize

This is a very unusual weather pattern that we have mixed emotions about. Yes, it is nice to be comfortable and fish in the elements, rather than in the confines of an ice shack, however, it is stalling some ice making in the Lake Superior angling areas we like to target. This puts a damper on some nice Lake Trout spots and it is any wonder if we will be able to get to them at all this year. Ah well, that's Mother Nature and in the end, she decides what will happen. We will m