Get out and fish

By Bill Bartusek, Jr., Outdoors Columnist

Cold weather will dominate this week as we head outdoors. Temperatures below zero are in the forecast for this second full week of January. This will make things dicey for anglers heading out on the ice. However, angling success has been pretty decent considering the weather.

Panfish have produced the most consistent bite since the new year. Lake Mazaska near Faribault has been producing some decent crappies and sunfish. Here and there you may also hook up a decent walleye. Just down the road, Shield's Lake is doing well too. Dennis Palma has his ice house there and has shared the ice with all pro defensive end, Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings. Clear Lake near Lexington is also producing some decent crappie fishing. Toward Mankato, anglers are heading for Lake Washington. The panfish bite, especially sunfish, has been excellent. Not far from there Madison Lake has produced some big crappies.

One of the hottest lakes in the south is Clear Lake in Waseca. The lake located right on the east side of town has been giving up some beautiful walleyes in the past few weeks. You can also jig up some decent crappies while you are there.

To the east, Lake Marion on the east side of Interstate 35 near Lakeville is a great spot for some northern pike action.

The big lakes up north are seeing some decent action too. Lake Mille Lacs is producing some decent walleye action. It's not a hot bite, but some keepers are coming in each night. Red Lake is holding its own and producing some great walleye action. Some big pike and crappies are also in the mix. Lake of the Woods has been a steady producer almost all winter. Walleye and sauger are the mainstay. Some huge crappies can also be found there.

We have many choices. All we need to do is get out and fish.