The temperatures have been in the 40's now for the last several days and due to out of town responsibities I haven't been able to get out on the ice for the last few weeks.  So finally I had a day, Sat. March 13, to be exact, to head out to the lake and get in on the late ice action.  Before I headed out though, my fishing partner called on Phil Schwiek, one of our fishing guide friends and asked where we should go.  Phil is always on the fish so he's been a good guy to know and is always willing to point us in the right direction.  When Phil answered the phone, he more or less told us that this was going to be his last day ice fishing this year.  Phil had gone through.  Not right next to shore where one would expect the ice to be thinnest, but "way out".  We're glad to hear you made it out without any injury, Phil, but hearing it was your last day broke my heart.  If Phil was calling it a year, so was I.

That was yesterday and today the temperature just about reached 70.  I hope all that read this that if Phil fell through the ice, anybody can.  He is a professional guide and knows the difference between having fun and being stupid.  If the ice doesn't look safe, don't risk it.  Here is what you can do instead:

1. Clean out your tackle box and resort all the compartments.  You'll be suprised about how many memories will be ignited by just seeing a tube bait or a crankbait.  Go to monsteroutdoors.com and see what's new.

2. Take the boat out of storage and give it a once over.  Charge the batteries, check the bilge pump, the lights, the fire extinguisher, and the live well.  Give your engine a tune-up if neccesary and check or change the oil if you didn't do it last fall. Check the trailer lights and the air pressure on the tires.

3.  Go fishing.  There are rivers everywhere that are open and ready to be fished.  Try the Red Wing Dam, the St. Croix, the Chippewa, or the Wisconsin just to name a few.  The walleyes will be on the move right now and ready to be caught.

4. Spend some time with the family.  It's been a good winter with lots of time on the ice.  This break between seasons can provide some great family time.  Hmmm... maybe it's best just to go fishing.

Good luck out there, be safe, and if your in a new area, or simply want to learn your area better, hire a guide for a day.  What they teach you can last a lifetime.