O
UTDOOR CONNECTION
STORIES, ADVICE AND INFORMATION FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
Spring is here! With the early ice-outs around northwest Iowa, dock and hoist workers have gotten a jump on getting docks and hoists set in the water.
APRIL 4, 2015 ESTHERVILLE NEWS Find this publication online at www.esthervillenews.net under 驶Sections始
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015
CHASING ICE OUT ‘EYES
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
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ce out! Those two words create a feeling of excitement for walleye fishermen in northern Iowa. Two of those anglers, Kevan Paul, owner of Kevan Paulʼs Guide Service out of Clear Lake, and Laef Lundbeck, owner of Blue Water Guide Service out of the Iowa Great Lakes (Royal), can hardly wait. Each, of course, has his favorite lake(s). “As a guide, I always have my boat ready to go, but this is a time before most people have their STEVE WEISMAN boats out of storage. By the OUTDOOR EDITOR end of March to the first week of April, the ice is usually gone, and it isnʼt long before wader fishermen are working the shorelines here on Clear Lake.” Lundbeck sees the same thing happen on three of his favorite early ice out lakes in northwest Iowa: Storm Lake, Five Island and Silver Lake (Lake Park). “Iʼve been wader fishing these lakes since back in the 1980s, when I was still in high school.” Letʼs take a look at how each of these guides approach this early shallow water bite with Paul talking about Clear Lake and Ludbeck talking about the other three lakes. Both agree that they will be targeting mostly male walleyes in the shallows in advance of the spawn with the females staging out in the deeper water.
Lundbeck with a late evening ʻeye taken wader fishing. Photo submitted
boat.” Paul will target the same areas, but with the boat he can move from spot to spot and work from “lake to shore,” which he likes, especially if a wind is blowing. “I do like a nice chop when I fish the shallows,” says Paul. “Wind is good. It pushes the bait in and also stirs up the water. I think it also helps to have an overcast day.” Prime areas on Clear Lake include the east side between the downtown sea wall and the outlet, the island and Dodges Point. Best fishing times include before sunrise Clear Lake and sunset to after dark. “If I do fish during the daylight, I Even though this is wader fishing season for many will just work farther out. anglers, Paul still likes fishing from his 21-foot Ranger. And Paul has two favorite presentations. The first is a plain why not? Itʼs definitely more comfortable than being in a jighead (1/8 oz to 1/16 oz) tipped with a minnow, while the pair of waders. “I know it is early, but I like fishing from the second presentation is tipping the jig head tipped with a Berkley Paddle Tail in perch and smelt colors or Ripple Shads. Paul likes to use a 7ʼ rod for casting and will use Fireline (4/10). “I like using my I-Pilot to hold in a spot and then to slide the boat along the shoreline to the next spot. Itʼs much easier than an anchor. Plus, I like being able to cast up to shore and then drag it back with a nice straight retrieve. Nothing beats the thump of a fish.” Browning Gun Safe Dealer When talking shallows, Paul means just that. “The fish can be in just a few inches of water all the way out to 4-5 foot of water. “ This type of bite will go on, depending on how quickly the water warms, for two to three weeks.
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Although Lundbeckʼs boat is ready to go, itʼs mostly reserved for trips to South Dakota in March and early April. A bunch of us around Royal like to wader fish, so when the ice goes out and the water warms a little, weʼll all jump in a vehicle and head out.” Since they are wader fishing, Lundbeck says dressing for the weather is important. “You have to have a good set of waders. That water is really cold, so I like to go with a good pair of 1600-gram thinsulate chest waders, like LaCrosse or Cabelaʼs. Lundbeck has the same game plan for all three lakes. “Itʼs about working the shallows, and I like the windy side
of the lake.” On Storm Lake, the rocky shorelines are key to finding the pre-spawn males. “Storm Lake is the first lake that we will hit. Of course, it is south of the Iowa Great Lakes and is likely to open up the first. At Storm Lake, not only are there a lot of wader fishermen, but you will also find a lot of shore fishermen casting out lighted bobbers and a minnow. People also cast from public and when they have permission, from private docks. Most of the time, we will be catching makes but every once in a while we will take a big female thatʼs on a feeding binge before spawn.” According to Lundbeck, last spring was incredible at Storm Lake. “Limits of male walleyes were taken night after night.” Five Island, which is located on the north side of Emmetsburg, is also a great early spring fishery. “It can be really good in town, around the trestle area, around boat ramps and the city park area.” Again, it is the lure of the rocks and rubble that bring the pre-spawn males into the shallows. “There are also public docks that people can access and fish from.” Finally, there is Silver Lake by Lake Park. “The city park area and all along the south side of the lake are good places to fish for these fish. A bunch of tree limbs have been cut around the city park and are in the water, which makes it a little tricky to cast and not get hung up.” Like Paul, Lundbeck likes a longer rod for casting. “I like a 6ʼ6” fast tip rod. I will use either Berkley 6-pound Nanofill or 6-pound Berkley XL.” For Ludbeck, itʼs all about casting and working the shallows with twisters and1/8 to 1/16ounce jigs tipped with Berkley Gulp! or Berkleyʼs Havoc Minnow. For presentation, Ludbeck will cast out, let the jig slowly fall and then start a slow retrieve back. “I do like to twitch it every so often and sometimes even throw in a stop and go once in a while.” Both Paul and Lundbeck agree that they will change things up based on what the walleyes want that particular day. Yes, ice out means one thing: the walleyes are going to be in the shallows and on the bite. Give it a try!
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
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Junior Naturalist Summer Camps scheduled
W
ith the changing of the sea‐ over the last three years. I am grateful sons comes a changing of that the Emmet County Conservation staff faces at the Emmet Board and the Emmet County Nature County Nature Center. I have some Center Foundation have provided me mixed feelings as I pre‐ with this tremendous pare to return to my opportunity to grow and home county of Clayton learn beside them. in Northeast Iowa to As Emmet County accept my new role as Conservation moves Executive Director for the ahead with hiring a new Conservation Board seasonal staff person and there. a new Naturalist, we have I was hopeful that an set our summer schedule opportunity would allow for Junior Naturalist me to move back “home” camps. We are excited to JENNA POLLOCK to be nearer my family welcome new and return‐ EMMET COUNTY NATURALIST and our farm, but I never ing campers to the imagined that opportunity would pres‐ Nature Center this summer for learning ent itself so quickly! I am sad to leave fun, but please keep in mind these dates the Emmet County community, but I am and topics are tentative. also excited to see what the future We look forward to hosting six Junior holds. Naturalist Camps for youth in While my time in Emmet County has Kindergarten‐ 8th Grade. Camps will run been short, I am incredibly indebted to from 9 a.m.‐noon on June 9, 16 and 23 the residents and visitors of Emmet as well as July 14, 21 and 28. This year all County for their overwhelming support ages will be invited to each camp and
returning campers are encouraged. There is a limit of 10 youth per camp and parent/grandparent volunteers are wel‐ come. Attending one camp costs $10. This includes a camp T‐shirt and snack. We have a special price for campers inter‐ ested in attending all 6 camps or multi‐ ple camps for the low cost of $20 to cover T‐shirt and snacks for camps attended. Registrations received by May 1 guarantee T‐shirt size accuracy! Dates and topics to be covered are as follows:
June
9‐ Underground Exploration & Excavating. Discover the wild world of critters creeping and crawling under‐ ground. Plan for a morning of discovery and unearthing the mysteries beneath our feet. 16‐ Raptors of the Midwest. Let’s take a bird’s eye view of raptors that live around High Lake, get up close to our largest birds of prey, and try to build a
nest like an eagle. 23‐ Outdoor Cooking. Learn how to build and maintain a fire for campfire cooking. We’ll mix up some tasty treats and be sure to sample before camp is over!
July 14‐ Berry Wonderful Hike. We’ll take a tasty walk around the Big Island Grove sampling edible berries ripe for the pick‐ ing and learning how to avoid berries better left for the birds. 21‐ Underwater Explorers. Hope for warm weather as we dip into the lake with our nets and aquariums. We’ll learn all about aquatic life and food chains of the water world. 28‐ How to Hike. It may be hot, but why not pack for a hike. Learn the essentials for day trip hikes and go exploring around the Big Island Grove. Registrations forms are available at the Emmet County Nature Center and via email. emmetccb@yourstarnet.net. Enjoy the spring!
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SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
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The 2015 Spring Migration BY WENDELL HANSEN BIRDHAVEN
One of the most common questions as of late is, “With the warm weather that we had in mid‐March will the migration start early?” The answer depends on the species of bird it is. Among the first groups of birds to move north are waterfowl, ducks, geese, and swans. They may begin migrating as soon as frozen lakes and marshes start to thaw. The spring migration this year for waterfowl for the Iowa Great Lakes area has been outstanding. What sticks in my mind are the huge num‐ bers of geese. The greater white‐ front goose, Canada goose and the lesser Canada goose have all mixed into one big flock that numbers thou‐ sands. There have been times in the last couple of weeks (before the end of March), when out driving around the countryside, I’ve seen corn and bean fields that looked like they were still covered in snow from the thousands of snow and blue geese. It has been years since I’ve observed so many snows and blues in one spot at a time here in the Iowa Great Lakes area. There’s also been one report of 11 swans flying over West Lake. I’m pos‐ itive there are more to come. Also, on the move with this early thaw of our lakes and marshes, will be killdeer, red‐winged blackbirds, common grackle, American robin, eastern bluebird and the symbol of our great nation, the bald eagle. About two weeks ago on March 24th, Birdhaven received a report of 84 bald eagles at West Hottes Lake, which is part of the Kettleson Hogsback Complex area. On March 22nd, there were 21 bald eagles on the ice at Millers Bay and 40‐50 bald eagles on North Bay West Okoboji Lake. Had reports that mixed in with the bald eagles were some golden eagles. In all the years here in the Lake area I have only seen one golden. Most of the eagles have now left the area and are headed north. It was an amazing sight to see while it lasted. Our next spring migrates will be in early April. Start looking for purple martins and both the golden‐crowned
The majesty of the eagle is on display on the top of a tree northeast of Estherville. Photo by Barbara Alig
and the ruby‐crowned kinglets at about the same time that our native sparrows will be showing up. Just to name a few that breed in our area will be the chipping, field, vesper, lark, savannah, grasshopper, and Henslow’s sparrows. Other native sparrows that will be passing through on their way farther north to the breeding grounds will be the Lincoln's, white‐throated, white‐ crowned, Harris and the fox sparrows. In late April and into the first part of May, the great northward flood of songbirds that have wintered in the tropics will start. The list will include warblers, tanagers, buntings, gros‐ beaks, orioles, vireos, thrushes, fly‐ catchers and the ruby‐throated hum‐ mingbird. They will be filling the woodlands and back yards with color, song and activity. By early June, aside from a few shore birds and some songbirds, the
spring migration is mostly done for our part of the country. For me, the highlight of the spring migration is when the warblers show up. There are just so many of them and with all their striking colors it can be a lot of fun to identify, and every year I get to add a few new ones to the list. By keeping an eye on the weather, you will have a good indication of when to look for migrating birds. North winds and storms will shut the birds down wherever they are at dur‐ ing the storms. The birds will stock up on food, building their body strength up, just waiting for a south wind to help carry them on their northward bound migration journey to the breeding grounds. I have included a photo taken by Barbara Alig, one of our many customers at Birdhaven, of an eagle northeast of Estherville. As all ways get up, get out and enjoy nature.
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
BY THE WATER’S EDGE Keep pushing to fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund BY STEVE WEISMAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
One of my columns in February covered the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. At this point, a bill to provide funding for the Trust Fund is still alive. However, it needs a little push to keep it going. It’s currently sitting in committee, and we need to send emails, give some calls and send letters to both our local legislators and leaders of the House and Senate. In addition to our local legislators, key players include Representative Upmeyer, Representative Paulsen and the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Thomas Sands. In review, the trust fund’s legal language states: created for the purposes of protecting and enhancing water quality and natural areas in the State including parks, trails, and fish and wildlife habitat, and conserving agricultural soils in this State.
To make this a viable working fund, we need to let our legislators know just how important this is for all Iowans. A late 2014 poll showed that an overwhelming majority of Iowans, 81 percent, is in support of the creation of this fund, while 66 percent support a revenue enhancement to fund the trust fund. As Iowans, we like to think of our state as a leader in many areas, but statistics show that we are falling behind neighboring states such as Missouri and Minnesota when it comes to providing dedicated funding sources for natural resources. Over 30 years ago, Missouri provided constitutional protected funding for its conservation programs, while in 2008, Minnesotans voted in support of an amendment similar to the one currently on the table here in Iowa. To get us back in the game, all it would take is to legislate funding for the Trust Fund. By providing three-eights of one cent from sales
tax revenue, we could generate millions of dollars to help address natural resources issues. Once funded, the Trust Fund would guarantee that money would be allocated to the following areas: n 7% Lake Restoration n 10% Trails n 13% REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection program) n 13% Local Conservation Partnership program n 14% Watershed Protection n 20% Soil Conservation and Water Protection (IDALS) n 23% Natural Resources (DNR) These are all areas that Iowans have said in a series of polls over the past several years that are important to us. If we really do believe this, then we need to take action. We need to take the next step and let our elected officials know that we really do believe in the importance of funding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.
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Snow goose hunters asked to provide samples from bagged birds
D
ES MOINES — Recently confirmed out breaks of high path avian influenza in commercial turkey flocks in Minnesota, Missouri and Arkansas, and in a backyard chicken and duck flock in Kansas has Iowa wildlife officials on alert. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the USDA Wildlife Services is looking to collect swab samples from 150 snow geese from across Iowa look‐ ing for the presence of this disease.
The samples need to be taken within 24 hours of harvest. Samples are collected by swabbing the throat and the cloaca with a cotton swab. Successful hunters may call 217‐ 306‐8287 to arrange for collection. It only takes a minute and hunters may keep the birds. Avian influenza is found naturally in certain waterfowl and shore‐ birds. However, the recent origin of a high path avian influenza (HPAI H5N8) in the Pacific Northwest has
raised concerns regarding the potential impact on wild birds and domestic poultry. The Centers for Disease Control considers the risk to people from high path infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. The light goose conservation order ends April 15. For more information, contact Josh Wisdom, United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Service at Joshua.P.Wisdom@aphis.usda.gov.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
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REGISTER FOR THE 33RD ANNUAL WALLEYE WEEKEND Dust off your reel, check your line and kick off the 2015 walleye season in the Iowa Great Lakes during the 33rd Annual Great Walleye Weekend, May 2 and 3. This two‐day fishing tournament witnesses close to 2,000 anglers con‐ verging upon the Iowa Great Lakes to see if they can catch one of the spe‐ cially tagged walleye. Cost of the tournament is $25 for entrants 16 and older, $15 for those 15 and younger and just $15 for the summer long Extended Contest to try your luck at catching those walleye that avoided anglers dur‐ ing the cost. The first wall‐
eye caught during the extended contest heads home with 20 percent of the proceeds generated from the tournament, the second 15 percent and the third 10 percent. Walleye Weekend 2015 begins at 12 a.m. on Saturday, May 2 and con‐ cludes at noon on Sunday, May 3 with an awards luncheon at the Dickinson County Expo Building in Spirit Lake. Free to those registered in the tourna‐ ment, cost is just $5 for the general public. What makes 2015 unique? Opposed to the normal six tagged walleye, the Iowa Department of Natural
SPRING CLEANING
Resources will be tagging 12. Twice the number of tagged walleye to snag the $33,000 grand prize com‐ memorating the 33rd anniversary of this tourna‐ ment. Great Lakes Marine Sales & Service is also hosting a Kick Off Dinner and Seminar on Friday, May 1, so please give this lakes area marina a call at 712‐336‐3822 to get involved in another fun
been stowed away for another year, and we all take time to reflect on great Ahhhh…March 20, 2015… times out on the ice with the first official day of spring our friends and family. We forget though that the and for many Iowanʼs that have been cooped up itʼs a hard water is now open water and any debris that ray of hope of things to we may have inadvertently come. Mother Nature left on the ice or trash that though has a way of another careless angler left reminding us that old man unattended is now floating winter will not go out withor sinking in our favorite out a fight. Much of Iowa fishery. has enjoyed some unseaIn April of 2013 research sonably warm days in presented in a report at the March followed by short 234th National Meeting & reminders that itʼs well… Exposition of the American Iowa. Warm days however spark Chemical Society cited that floating plastic debris has the “spring cleaning” itch become a problem in the and Iowans start airing out Great Lakes. “The massive their homes and garages. The doldrums of winter are production of plastic and inadequate disposal has swept out and fresh spring made plastic debris an air fills rooms. Outdoors men and women do a bit of important and constant polspring cleaning as well. We lutant on beaches and in pull the covers back on our oceans around the world, boats, check batteries, and and the Great Lakes are not an exception,” said give them a fresh charge Lorena M. Rios Mendoza, and daydream of spring Ph.D., who spoke on the fishing. topic at the meeting. Iowaʼs lakes are ice free Fish and birds could be of ice. Ice fishing gear has BY BEN R. LEAL
Recycled Fish Program Director
STEWARDSHIP TIP:
For more information regarding the 33rd Annual Walleye Weekend, please visit www.okobojichamber.com or call 712-332-2107. (and food) filled aspect of the walleye opener! In addition to the tagged walleye, there are also amazing prizes from spon‐ sors Pure Fishing & Fisherman’s Factory Outlet for the heaviest stringer of 3 walleye, heaviest northen pike, heaviest stringer of 5 panfish and heaviest stringer of 10 bull‐ head. Well over $2,000 in prizes for the largest fish
harmed from accidently eating the plastic particles, or absorbing substances that leach out into the water, Rios said. Her team knows from analyses of fish stomachs that fish are consuming the plastic particles. Much of the plastic pollution in the oceans and Great Lakes goes unnoticed by the casual observer because it is so small. In the samples Riosʼ team collected in Lake Erie, 85 percent of the particles were smaller than two-tenths of an inch, and much of that was microscopic. Her group found between 1,500 and 1.7 million of these particles per square mile. Fish, however, often mistake these bits of plastic for food. “The main problem with these plastic sizes is its accessibility to freshwater organisms that can be easily confused as natural food,” Rios said. It can also be said that in many of Iowaʼs lakes, we may have some of the same issues as the Great
contests will be presented during the Sunday, May 3 awards luncheon at the Dickinson County Expo Building. Registration forms are available online at www.okobojichamber.com , Fisherman’s Factory Outlet, Kabele’s Trading Post, Oh Shucks, Pioneer Beach, Stan’s Bait & Tackle and at the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce office in Arnolds Park. As in year’s past, a portion of the pro‐ ceeds generated from the Iowa Great Lakes Area Walleye Weekend will ben‐ efit Easter Seals Iowa.
Lakes, all resulting from plastic that is left out on the ice or even during open water season. These pollutants are not limited to just plastic water bottles as some may think. Plastic is a widely used product to package and produce much of what anglers use in fishing. So as you spend time this spring getting things cleaned up from winters grasp, remember that many of our local fisheries could use a “spring cleaning”. There are any number of organizations that will help with volunteers, or even better, simply call all your friends and family up and have a spring cleaning day out on your favorite fishery. One of the great examples of cleaning Iowaʼs fisheries was last yearʼs Big Sioux River cleanup. Volunteers spent a week paddling and picking trash up along the river. In the end approximately 550 tires weighing in at 10,932 lbs, 28,500 lbs of scrap metal, 2,279 lbs of
glass, 460 lbs of hazardous materials and 12,000 lbs of trashed were removed from the Big Sioux River. Your efforts donʼt have to be to that scale, but just remember that itʼs every anglers and outdoorsmanʼs responsibility to be a steward of our natural resources. Pass on the legacy of the outdoors to future generations, the future of our sport lies in their hands. Recycled Fish…anglers living a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs down stream. Tight Lines! Editorʼs note: Each month the outdoor page will feature a column by Recycled Fish, a nonprofit organization founded by Teeg Stouffer in 2003. Originally a Catch and Release education organization, it is now a national movement of anglers who live and promote a lifestyle of stewardship both on and off the water.
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
7
PRAIRIE FIRE BY MIRIAM PATTON PALO ALTO COUNTY NATURALIST
M
any of you have already noticed tall plumes of smoke in the distance as you drive the roads this spring. Prescribed burning season has begun. Long ago, this sight frightened the early settlers to our area. Uncontrolled prairie fire coming toward their homes was indeed something to be feared. They had to plow a fire break around their property, or start a back fire and hope that the flames wouldn’t jump to their house. Today, for conservation organizations, fire is a tool to manage and promote a healthy prairie. Fire is used to remove woody and non‐native plants, and rejuvenate native prairie plants, providing better habitat for a variety of animals. Fire used to be a natural occurrence on prairies. Occasional fires started by lightning
traveled fast and moved on. Most of the liv‐ ing part of a prairie plant is below ground, so fire will not kill it. A fast moving fire will burn the old stems and leaves from last year, while the ground stays cool. The black ash left behind soaks up the sun and warms up the soil more quickly, which speeds up the growth of the new plant shoots. Burning the old plant material releases nitrogen back into the soil which become available to the plants that emerge. A prescribed burn is planned and controlled. Wind speed and direction, along with humidi‐ ty, are all noted before a burn begins. Fire breaks have been mowed and local fire per‐ sonnel are alerted. The Conservation Board or DNR will only burn if conditions are favor‐ able. Recommendations vary for each site, but most prairies will benefit from a burn every three to five years.
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Only a portion of the plot is burned so that wildlife species, especially insects like butter‐ flies, are not all affected at one time. The part of the site not burned acts as a refuge for the animals to retreat to during the burn. Then the animals can re‐populate the area after the flames have subsided. It is always amazing to see the new growth after a burn. Species like Blazing Star and Leadplant really seem to respond to fire and the colors are spectacular. Take note of the sites being burned this spring and return to see them in full bloom later in the summer.
Upcoming Programs
Monday, April 20, 7 pm, Lost Island Nature Center north of Ruthven. Bird Stories with Al Batt. Join us for an enjoyable evening with Al Batt, writer, storyteller and humorist. Al is from Hartland, MN and is a writer for “Bird Watcher’s Digest”. This program is open to the public free of charge.
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ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
C8
EARLY SPRING WALLEYES IN RIVERS BY BOB JENSEN
Remember that the fish will more often. Sixteenth and usually be facing upstream. eighth ounce jigs will be the For this reason you’ll want to most used in most rivers. If you’re tipping your jig with cast across the current and a Across the Midwest, walleye little bit upstream so your bait anglers are getting into boats a minnow, tie on a jig with a short‐shanked hook like a Fire‐ moves downstream in a natu‐ and waders and are chasing ral manner. Ball jig. Put the hook in the walleyes. Jigging is perhaps If you’re wading and the the most popular way to catch minnow’s mouth and out the water is clear, work slowly. walleyes this time of year. Jigs back of its head. The minnow Fish an area completely before will stay on the hook better are popular because they’re you move to a different cast‐ effective. Following are some when hooked this way, and it will be a smaller presentation, ing position. Minimal move‐ ideas for using jigs to catch and smaller presentations are ment will reduce your odds of walleyes in rivers right now. alerting the already spooky usually best this time of year. Most rivers throughout the walleyes to your presence. Another good way to catch Midwest are currently low and Line is an important consid‐ spring river walleyes, especial‐ clear. Minimal snowfall this year means minimal run‐off. In ly when they are more aggres‐ eration. For the ultimate in sensitivity, strength, and invisi‐ sive, is with a jig tipped with many rivers the walleyes are bility, tie a twenty inch, six plastic. When using plastic, holding in deeper holes. As pound test Sunline Super FC soon as we get some rain and you’ll want a longer shanked the waters dirties up a bit, the hook like a Slurp! Jig. A three‐ Sniper fluorocarbon leader to inch Impulse Swim’n Grub is a some ten or twelve pound test fish will really start moving. For now, there are a couple of good choice for plastic, and so SX1 Braid. You can almost feel the fish looking at your bait is a four‐inch Impulse things to keep in mind. with this set‐up. With the clear water, the fish Ringworm that has been Ice‐fishing has been fun the shortened a bit. The Grub has can be kind of spooky. Early a larger profile and can be bet‐ past few months, but now it’s and late in the day will often time to get on a river and ter in water that is more be when the bite is the best. Cloudy days can also be good. stained. Whether you’re using catch some walleyes. If you keep these ideas in mind, and live or plastic, keep the bait A warm day is preferred. if you’re on a river that has swimming slowly just above Warm days with stained but walleyes, you will get bit. the bottom. not dirty water can provide outstanding action. Walleyes will eat minnow‐ shaped stick‐baits this time of year, but jigs are probably the best way to go in most rivers. A slow moving jig will be most appealing to the fish, but in some rivers there are just too many snags to allow for a real slow presentation. It’s best to swim your jig just above the bottom, ticking the tops of the rocks, but not falling down into them. Sand and gravel 1605 Old Highway 18 bottoms will be where most of Ruthvan, IA 51358 the walleyes are, and it’s easi‐ 712/837‐5425 er to work a jig slowly closer to the bottom when fishing over sand or gravel. •Fishing equipment Much of the best action in • Live bait • Large selection of lures smaller rivers will be in four to • Rods • Reels • Sinkers six feet of water. When the • Line • Hooks • Bobbers current is low, go with a six‐ teenth ounce jig. When the The best selection of fishing current increases, go heavier. equipment in the area! A too light jig will be quickly washed downstream and OPEN: Fri.–Tues. 8 a.m.–5 p.m won’t be effective, and a too CLOSED: Wed.–Thurs. heavy jig will get snagged FISHING THE MIDWEST FISHING TEAM
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BOBBER DOWN
Put a jig in front of a walleye in a river right now and it will probably eat it. Most of the walleyes will be smaller males, but every now and then a true trophy will show up. Photo by Bob Jensen