Almost an Ice Fishing Report!

[hanson]

There's snow on the ground so that counts, doesn't it?

I have to admit, normally I'm not too excited to hit the open water but this winter has been a little different. For the most part, icefishing has been pretty tough across the state with light biting fish being the name of the game. I've fished pretty hard since mid-December criss-crossing the state fishing with old friends, new friends, tournament fishing the I.C.E. Series & Ultimate Panfish League, and attending some Fishing Minnesota Get-Togethers.

But unlike years past, I think my short rods have been put away for the season. I'm not going to make that late March run up to Upper Red for a chance at a good crappie bite, and my tip-up bucket is put away as well. No trophy pikin' for me on Lake of the Woods this winter.

Instead, I went catfishing today!!

And did I have a blast!! We're very fortunate in the Twin Cities to have a few spots on the Mississippi River where the channel cat action turns on very early in the spring. How early, well today is March 19 and we had steady action most of the afternoon.

I joined Fisher "That Guy" Dave, Brian "I Da Man" Klawitter, Manny "Blacksportsman" and his son Marcus on the banks of the Mighty Miss and held a channel catfishing clinic! I don't think anyone was counting but there were easily over 30 channel cats caught ranging from 2-11 pounds.

First Cat of the Day for Myself.

Manny (blacksportsman) with a pretty typical channel cat

Catfish Triple Header!!!

with Manny, Dave, and Marcus

And here is the big fish of the day...

Myself with a 31" 11 pound Mississippi River Channel Catfish

It felt good to pick up the long rods again! The Abu Ambassadeur & myself picked up where we left off last summer. Now we just have to be patient for another month or so to fish for big cats with the clickers on. LOL! Zzzzzz... Zzzzzzz... Zzzzzzz...

[Shawnny B]

Hmm....you must be magic Hansen..says you made this post an hour in the future? Is that how you know where the fish are? or when to go fishing? whod you pay off? Looks like fun, too bad I had to be working today, Im hoping to hit the Mighty Miss this year also, been out once about 2-3 weeks ago, alot of big carp swiming in them waters ....

Shawnny B

[Gissert]

Man, that looks like that was fun! Must have been a goergeous day down on the river.

[picksbigwagon]

that's it, I am getting the boat out of storage next week, flush the motor, change the lower unit lube and hitting the mississippi, thank god for spring break.........did anyone else notice how clean and clearthe water looked?

[Dan Thiem]

Awesome post Hanson! Nice pictures.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Looks like you and your friends had a great day of open water fishing!

These pictures really have given me the the open water bug!

Cliff

[Borch]

Nice fish and it looks like you had a lot of fun.

But really..... It's too early to store those short rods away. I bet you didn't pack them in too deep. I'm sure you could still easily dig them out if a buddy got into a hot bite.

[Captain B.R.K]

Great post Hanson and nice pictures! Sunday was a beautiful day to get out, no doubt about that. Reading about your early season success on the water has me itchin' to get out soon. Sure hope those eyes' on the Rainy River are on the chew this weekend!

[Blue Kayak]

Nice fish. Boy that looks like fun. I was planning to go ice fishing for the last time tomorrow, but I may have to try the river.

[Tyler Holm]

Great report Hanson and nice Fish. I'm itching to get out and try some of this cattin!

[hip_hop_fisherman]

Sounds like an awesome day! I too had everything pretty much packed up but was talked out of it by my uncle. We're making one last run up to Mille Lacs for some perchin', and HOPEFULLY we'll run into some tullibee action. Getting that new St Croix crappie rod with the Pflueger President made it a tought decision though, I can't wait for open water! Congrats on the catch!