If you haven’t had the chance to go yet, you should know that 2024 trout stocking started on Jan. 2.

Although the last week or so has brought a fair amount of snow and frigid temperatures, the forecast shows some above average temperatures soon.

Once the snow melts and waters receded, there might be some good opportunities to get out and wet a line.

With the recent temperatures, a lake like Spruce Knob might give you the conditions to try ice fishing. If you ice fished before then you probably know it can be productive under the right circumstances. Usually, it’s not very crowded for obvious reasons.

The best advice I can give is to make sure the ice is safe before setting foot on it. I have traveled to the lakes in the past only to have unsafe conditions and turn around and return home. Remember, safety first.

At Buffalo Lake, I have seen people lay wooden planks over open water to get to ice. That’s not for me and I wouldn’t recommend it.

Of course, if you’re going to participate in fishing, you need to make sure and have your 2024 license and trout stamp.

Now if we back up a little to the 2023 Antlered deer season, the DNR released a preliminary report showing a harvest of 45,155 Antlered deer during the two-week season.

The 2023 harvest was 7.5 percent lower than the 2022 harvest. They also announced that fall turkey hunters harvested 981 wild turkeys during the 2023 fall season.

This was a decrease of 3% over the 2022 harvest. They attributed this decrease to a lower spring brood production.

So, if we return to fishing, if you can get a chance to go, maybe try and take the opportunity to invite someone to go with you.

It could be someone that hasn’t gone for a while or is new to the sport or a child. Whoever it may be, you’ll find it enjoyable, so good luck.

Stay Safe & Stay Outdoors.