March 2, 2026 "The Perfect Birthday Gift, Lake of the Woods Fishing Vacation"

Ice fishing can be a lot of work, if you’ve fished more than a few times during winter, you already know that. But on the other hand, ice fishing can be almost no work at all, that is if you do it right. Thanks to the Hippie Chick, I experienced the later this past weekend; let me explain.

For nearly 10 years, the Hippie Chick observed me running from one end of the northland to the other. Constantly loading and unloading gear, always on the move in hot pursuit of interesting places to record fishing experiences. TV programs, entertaining outdoor writers or taking photos of ice-anglers in action, there was always one more thing to do. Often, days beginning before sunrise and finishing after dark was the norm, not the exception.

She came along on a few of those trips and saw firsthand the effort that goes into producing ice-fishing content. If you’re interested, this story was one of our favorites. Read >> For the Love of Fishing: Lake Mille Lacs Ice Fishing Adventure

Now I’m not one to put words in other people’s mouths, but today, I’ll try to sum up what my loving and devoted wife may have been thinking. “All I ever see him do is work, he deserves to get one easy ice fishing trip. I think we should go somewhere that caters to us, someplace where they take care of all the details and only thing we need to do is show and fish.” Okay, maybe this isn’t 100 percent, but you get the idea, or at least the main theme of it.

So, can you guess what I received for my birthday last January? Yes, a full-service ice fishing trip at Arnesen’s Rocky Point Resort on Lake of the Woods. The package she bought included three nights lodging and 2 days of ice fishing in a nice, warm ice fishing shelter.

When we arrived at the resort, their guidance was simple. “We start transporting at 6:30 AM, you two just show up at the marina when you’re ready, we’ll drive you to the spot and when you’re finished for the day, we’ll pick you up and drive you back to the resort.”  All we had to do was pack some snacks, a few fishing rods, fishing lures, and a few pails.

On day 1, we left the marina around 7:15 am, our destination was house #77. So, where is that? Heck if I know, I didn’t look at the map, I didn’t try to learn the structure, and I didn’t have any expectations. We just unfolded a couple of chairs and opened the rod box. First, I got Susan set up with a rod, then I rigged up a setline (dead stick), then I set myself up with a rod and so on. After 15 minutes, we were in full fishing mode with 4 lines in the water.

We did have depth finders, so I know that the water depth was about 31 feet. And obviously, we could see whenever fish came into sight, and knew when they were ready to strike, or not. And for most of the 2 days of fishing, most of the fish we saw fell into the “or not” category. However, there were enough active walleyes to keep the trip interesting. We rarely went for more than 10 or 15 minutes without seeing something on our flashers. Every so often, we’d trick one of them onto our lures and for the most part, fish we caught were of quality size.

On this trip, I thought that the saugers we caught were above average. There were only a couple of walleyes, but they were also decent size fish. As usual, Susan caught the largest, pictured above, and as you see, it was a fat, sassy fish. For me, a phantom crappie that nearly crossed the 13-inch mark was the most notable catch. In the past, we’ve caught crappies at the northwest angle, but this was my first ever on the south shore.

Obviously, this can’t be a “hard-core” fishing report, so take this advice for what it’s worth. Knowing that we were fishing in deep water and not wanting to catch a bunch of little fish, I tied on a larger than average lure. The Lindy Glow Streak, with a whole fathead strung around all three barbs of the treble hook, was responsible for almost all of the fish I caught over the two days. For Susan, the old reliable Quiver Spoon, pink/glow color was the better choice, we caught a couple of fish on the pink Glow Spoon too.

We were hoping for a phantom pike to make an appearance. So, my set lines were set up with large, gold Quiver Spoons tipped with the largest whole fatheads we had in the pail. The northern pike were not in the neighborhood though; there were very few of them caught by anybody this weekend.

Susan and I had 5 keepers each day and released an equal number of smaller fish along the way. At the fish cleaning station, catches matching ours were very common. Most of the groups came in with some fish, typically about half of their limits. There were some eelpouts showing up, a few tullibees and a couple of groups caught some decent perch too.

I realize that hard-core fish hunters may not be impressed. But when you think about it, this is really a good report. Everybody caught something, and most of them were doing exactly what we were doing, relying on the resort to place a single fishing shelter “someplace” on ¾ of a million acres of frozen surface water. With 128 square feet of heated shelter to work with, anglers wait, fingers crossed, for hungry fish to swim into range of their lures. Think about it, it’s amazing how many fish are caught!

Okay, so my ice-fishing birthday gift was, in my opinion, a great success. We have a highlight reel of fish catches; we had delightful fish-fry on the spot and will have another one sometime soon. But maybe the best part of the trip was the relaxation factor. No worrying, no scurrying, just show up and fish. If you’re thinking this sounds like fun, give the folks at Arnesen’s a call, I don’t think you’d be disappointed. — Jeff Sundin, The Early Bird Fishing Guide Call-Text 218-245-9858 • Email • Facebook • X • Subscribe Insider Newsletter

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March 2, 2026 Sundin Opinion: Minnesota Walleye Limit Reduction Proposal

Friendly reminder, there are 4 days remaining in the public comment period for the proposed reduction in Minnesota’s possession limit for walleyes. In you love the idea of reducing the limit from 6 fish down to 4 fish, you have 4 more days to say so. Likewise, if you’d prefer to see the possession limit remain unchanged at 6 fish, then the same 4 days are available for you to express your point of view.

Over the past several years, I’ve expressed my concerns that the 4 fish limit will not do anything to improve walleye fishing in Minnesota. I’ve presented articles that provide expert testimony from fisheries biologists who agree.

Often, we see the argument framed as a proactive regulation aimed at mitigating the impacts of fishing pressure, the use of advanced electronics and most recently, climate change. If these issues are in fact issues, then let’s address them and figure out what to do with them individually. Often too, we see the proposed regulation change framed as a change in “The Daily Bag Limit”.

That characterization is simply not accurate. The DNR proposal is not only reducing the daily limit. It intends to change the statewide walleye possession limit from 6, down to 4 fish. That means for folks who follow the law, 4 walleyes is the maximum number of fish that you can have, period.

You may be thinking, oh come on Jeff, don’t you know that people have more than their possession limits in their freezers all the time? This may be true, especially for locals who can fish often, and bring home fish on almost every outing. But for tourists, folks who must stay at public resorts, campgrounds and the like, stockpiling fish at home is not an option. They are under the microscope, vulnerable to more frequent checks by the DNR conservation officers.

In my opinion, it is simply unfair to expect one group of people to subsize the activities of another group. I could possibly have been convinced to support a regulation change to 4 fish daily, provided that the possession limit would have remained at 6 fish. The impact of that would have satisfied the folks calling for the 4 fish limit, primarily aimed at day trippers, fishing guides and highly skilled anglers. At the same time, a 6 fish possession limit would provide anglers forced to travel long distances and fish fewer times each season with a bit of padding. In my opinion, tourism would be less impacted than local traffic.

Review: The new regulation, as presently planned, will become effective in March of 2027. The new statewide possession limit of 4 walleyes with one over 20 inches will become the permanent statewide regulation.

The public comment period remains in effect from now until March 4, 2026, and offers anglers one last chance to vote either yes, or no and that’s it, nothing in between. If DNR fisheries officials, after reviewing public comments, feel that there’s adequate public support, then the new rules, as they are written, will be implanted. If fisheries folks deem public support to be inadequate, then it is possible that they might decide not to move forward with the new plan.

You can voice your support, or your opposition to the new regulations in 1 of 3 ways.

• Email to fisheries.rulemaking.comments.dnr@state.mn.us. Please mention “walleye limit” in the subject line or body of the email.
• Phone the Minnesota DNR at 651-259-5235.
• US Mail delivered to Fisheries Rules and Regulations Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

 — Jeff Sundin, The Early Bird Fishing Guide Call-Text 218-245-9858 • Email • Facebook • X • Subscribe Insider Newsletter

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February 26, 2026 "MN Fishing License, Renewing the Renew-Able"

I’m not a forgetful person; in fact, my memory is good. What I am though, is a “scatterbrain”, tending to be disorganized and focused on too many things all at once. I think about getting one job done, then getting distracted by other tasks that demand equal attention.

If that sounds familiar to you, then you may appreciate the reminder that your Minnesota fishing license will expire this Saturday, February 28, 2026. That’s right, we’ll all need new fishing licenses beginning on Sunday March 1, 2026. So, if you have weekend plans like Susan and I do, renewing the license early on Sunday could present problems.

The last thing I need is to ruin my wife’s weekend fishing trip with a citation. So yesterday I logged on to my DNR account and purchased our 2026 licenses. For me, the system that works best is to buy the license online, download the PDF and print several copies. I keep one copy in the boat, one in the truck and one in my wallet. And since Minnesota allows “electronic versions” of our fishing license to be presented on our smart phones, I keep a PDF copy on my phone too. No matter where I go, if I pick up a fishing rod, I’m covered.

This year, while I was looking through the list of license options, I noticed the “Super Sports License”. This is possibly the best bargain for outdoor enthusiasts on the market. For $100, the individual license includes the annual fishing license, the annual small game license, a MN state trout stamp, MN state waterfowl stamp and your MN state pheasant stamp. Plus, the super sports license covers your choice of either a firearm, archery or muzzleloader deer license. All you need to remember is to log back in after August 1 to redeem your choice of the deer license at no additional charge.

For Susan and I, the super sports combination is the perfect season-long solution.  The combination version of the license includes married couple fishing only (as recognized by MN state law), small game for primary buyers, 2 state trout stamps, a state waterfowl stamp and a state pheasant stamp for primary buyers. The choice of firearm, archery or muzzleloader deer license after August 1 is offered only to the primary buyers.

For a grand total of $157, I purchased

• Minnesota Annual Fishing Licenses For 2 People
• 2 Minnesota Walleye Stamps, one for each of us
• 2 Minnesota Trout Stamps, one for each of us
• 1 Minnesota State Pheasant Stamp for me
• 1 Minnesota State Waterfowl Stamp
• 1 Minnesota State Small Game License for me
• 1 Minnesota State Deer Hunting License for me

Okay, monetary value is one thing but knowing that I’m covered for almost everything is the key feature. For a scatterbrain like me, having one piece of paper that covers most of my fishing and hunting for the whole year is fabulous. It means I can relax about buying licenses and pay more attention to whatever it is that grabs my attention next!

While I was logged in to the license page, I renewed my boat license too. Spring is coming fast, so if yours is due this season, you might as well get it done while you’re thinking about it. For your convenience, use this link, or click the image to renew your Minnesota Fishing, Hunting or Boating License right now.

— Jeff Sundin, The Early Bird Fishing Guide Call-Text 218-245-9858 • Email • Facebook • X • Subscribe Insider Newsletter

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Wired2Fish February 26, 2026 "How State Fisheries Regulations Are Made"

"I started working in fisheries and aquatic management after graduating college, often hearing anglers’ familiar complaints at the boat launch or bait shop. I’ve just about heard it all, things from “These regulations don’t make any sense!” to “The size limits are out of control!”

The truth is, to anglers, it can look like people who don’t fish wrote a bunch of these rules.

But the reality is far different. State fisheries regulations are the end result of years — sometimes decades — of biological data, fieldwork, modeling, and public input. They’re not perfect and they’re always evolving, but every regulation has a scientific foundation. Understanding what goes into making them helps explain why those rules exist in the first place.

Everything starts with data. Fisheries agencies collect enormous amounts of ..." Read Full Story and Learn More >> How State Fisheries Regulations Are Made

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Helping your fellow fishermen and women stay abreast of fishing conditions in your area is good for everybody and it's easier than you think! You don't have to write a book, you don't have to share your secret fishing spots and you don't even have to mention your lake. You see, with just a few words about general trends, seasonal patterns or local weather conditions you can help steer your fellow anglers to more gratifying fishing experiences. So, be like Dan and Sean, and become a duly deputized "Cub Reporter", it's good for fishing and that's good for everybody!

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