April is just a few days away

Bill Bartusek, Jr.,

Outdoors Columnist

As I write my column, a nice spring rain is falling. The pleasant weather in our area has continued and surprises even me. Some ice fishing in the area is still going on, however shorelines are getting bad real fast. It won't be long and people won't be able to get out on the ice.

In the northern half of the state there is still snow on the ground, especially in the wooded areas. Around Mille Lacs Lake and north of there people are still driving on the ice. The weather there this past weekend was much cooler than we have had. Friend's at the cabin had no trouble getting out on the Lake and they enjoyed some great fishing.

My son in law Chuck Fenger visited their land near Red Lake and found two feet of snow on the ground yet. It was old hard snow and very hard to plow. My neighbor visited a friend near Bemidji. There they were also able to drive out on area lakes and they reported good fishing. I see rain in the forecast for this week and that will bring an end to ice fishing down here. I don't think people will mind since we had such a long winter this year. I know I'm ready for soft water and warmer weather. Others will get their hunting clothing ready for the upcoming turkey season. That season will open in just a few weeks. Turkey's are strutting as we speak and doing a lot of gobbling. Spring is definitely here to stay.

I probably will do some Ice Fishing up at the Cabin this weekend. I expect the ice to remain safe there for awhile, but that all depends on the rain and weather in the next few days... You know April is just a few days away.