On Thursday, I caught a 4-pound bass on one of the Jefferson lakes.
The hawg served as a nice fish on a rather cold, cold day. Free Press education writer Tanner Kent accompanied me. He caught a 17-inch bass, also a nice fish.
Both of the bass looked like they were on the feed, which is pretty understandable, considering we've already seen our first snow and it's only Oct. 10.
I'm sure ice fishermen are eagerly licking their chops.
But we'll see warmer days ahead.
Still, the fishing has been different this year, and I mostly attribute it to the weather. There was never the long, hot, drought-like streak in July or August.
Some days, the fishing was great, others, not so great. I wonder if that means the ice fishing will be above average, or if it will be a struggle?
At this rate, we'll have a long year with ice on the lakes, but then again, this IS Minnesota, and the weather is fickle.
Probably the hardest thing about seeing snow so early in the fall is that I'm torn between trying to get out for some last open-water fish, or taking a break until the ice forms on the lakes.
Cross your fingers we don't get more snow.
