End of one season, start of another...

Ice fishing across Sunset Country came to an abrupt end this past week as super warm temperatures melted the ice two or three weeks earlier than normal.  We're looking at complete ice out across the region by the first weekend in April, earlier on many waters.  It's crazy!  

I'm not complaining...it's nice to get back in the boat!  Over the past week my friends and I caught some big fish on the ice and even managed to get on the Rainy River for a day of walleye fishing in the boat.  

Jaime Bruce with a big pike taken on a Northland Predator Rig beneath a Frabill tip-up.  We caught our own ciscos to use for bait on these rigs and caught several big pike last week.  

I had my friends from KrugerFarms.com up for a few days of fishing...fellow pro-staffers Dusty Minke (FLW Tour walleye pro) and Troy Jutting (head coach of the University of Minnesota-Mankato men's hockey team) catch and release a nice walleye.  

KrugerFarms.com boss Don Nelson with a nice walleye he caught on a BuckShot Rattle Spoon

My first open water fish on 2012 in Ontario - a chunky 24" walleye from the Rainy River that fell for a Northland Thumper Jig tipped with a shiner.  

Scott Dingwall with a nice Rainy River walleye to finish off our day on the River.  It was nice to get the Lund back in the water!  -Gussy