This is the sickest time of year. Ice is getting iffy, no warm open water, snow is gone or filthy dirty, yard is mud, roads are still salt covered. It’s cold, but not cold enough, it’s warm, but not warm enough, I’m going to turn another year older, paying real estate and income taxes…I’m ready for spring….is it groundhog season? I’ll teach him not to look for or see his shadow. Did I mention the mud???
Here in the metro the ice will probably good for walking (take precautions of course) for most of the month. Fishing can be great easy to walk around with packed or melted snow and outside set lines work great with holes not freezing-great time to fish-oh and tullies are coming on, 2 guys can easily catch 50#s of fish, that can happen whith what other fish????
In general, February is my least favorite month.
I’ll take these temps over subzero. Sun feels good and getting stronger. Signs of Spring. Longer days. Just took the kids sledding outside and jumped a roosting turkey next to my house. Was quite pleasant, temp wise. Plenty of ice yet if you want it.
^^^Ditto.
Hate it when they dog runs through the puddles and mud.
Completely joking. First thing that came to mind and had to have fun.
Completely joking. First thing that came to mind and had to have fun.
Don’t need those anymore, I’ve gone through manopause
Last year March was definitely more “spring” like. It looks like it might be more “winter” like this time around.
This is when the people of the Midwest go on vacation
Hank and Ben are whooping it up like Beverly Hills Ninjas on South Padre Island tonight 
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Central MN will be in winter mode until April, I’m afraid.
I took up making my own maple syrup (backyard operation) because of this dead time. Gives me something to do and makes Wife happy I am not bugging her out of boredom.
Now, I get awesome syrup which we eat and give away as it makes awesome x-mas gifts.
We are about a week away from the best fishing of the year (starting now through July). The time of the year that is the worst is January-February and we are through that, when ice fishing bites have slowed from early ice – crowds are everywhere, and there’s no sign of Spring yet.
My Spring through Early Summer recreation itinerary is below. When the real hot weather arrives the fishing boat goes back to collecting dust and the tritoon, cocktails, and sandbar life come to center stage. Here’s to work not ruining all of the fun 
1. Late ice slob panfish for the next 3-4 weeks
2. Open water jumbo perch and chasing trophy walleyes
3. Morel hunting in the morning followed by afternoons in the boat chasing spawning crappies
4. Trolling schools of sand pike and walleyes in the 60-70 degree weather.
5. July/August and warm water = pleasure boating to the sandbars and up north vacations with the family
Central MN will be in winter mode until April, I’m afraid.
IDK this weekends storm system could really turn the tide on what the rest of winter will be like. If we end up with a bunch of snow it could be a long ride, but it looks like it will be minimal snow and potentially thunderstorms. Getting to bare ground makes a huge difference this time of year. I dont want a quick melt because there will be water issues big time. No heavy rain either that is a disaster with snow and frost in the ground.
Just easing in to my favorite fishing of the year. Now through end of June. Get the ice castles off the lake. Leave the crowds at home and have most lakes be quiet for a change. I love it. And it’s the funnest time to get the wheelers out
77 down in Omaha yesterday…52 today and back up in the 70’s on Friday. It gets cold again next week, but all of our ice is off now. I do not think it will get cold enough to lock anything back up.
There is always “shop time”
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It’s been an off year for me with my other obligations. But Feb into March is busier then any other time. Too many jigs, blades, and cranks to get done
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<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bass Pundit wrote:</div>
Central MN will be in winter mode until April, I’m afraid.IDK this weekends storm system could really turn the tide on what the rest of winter will be like. If we end up with a bunch of snow it could be a long ride, but it looks like it will be minimal snow and potentially thunderstorms. Getting to bare ground makes a huge difference this time of year.
It would take a TON of RAIN and some good winds to even start to melt all the snow in Central Minnesota. Last weekend I saw snow drifts 8-10 Ft tall and even the compacted snow in open area is ft. + That said it can all happen real fast if mother nature wants it to. Last year went went from driving a Full sized truck on a lake on a Wed. and was not even able to access it by foot 3 days later.
It’s been an off year for me with my other obligations. But Feb into March is busier then any other time. Too many jigs, blades, and cranks to get done
Thats some real nice work there Randy!
It’s been an off year for me with my other obligations. But Feb into March is busier then any other time. Too many jigs, blades, and cranks to get done
That there is some nice work Randy. I wish I had the artistic talent for that. I’ve got a fair amount of old Muskie glide baits that I would love to sand down and repaint.
Randy do you sell any of your work – specifically crankbaits?
My only issue is those look too nice to beat up on the river. Maybe a few to just add to the mancave would be a worthwhile investment
It’s all about perspective anytime of year imo, but even I get a little down end of February. But March is the way out, P4 trips on the nicer days, a warm sun, shed hunting, Rainy is a month out, Turkey/Morel Hunting coming up, warm destination vacations, March Madness, St. Patty’s Day, the fun has just begun!
Randy do you sell any of your work – specifically crankbaits?
My only issue is those look too nice to beat up on the river. Maybe a few to just add to the mancave would be a worthwhile investment
Nope – all personal use. Fish a spot on the river after me – good chance you might get a few
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Randy Wieland wrote:</div>
It’s been an off year for me with my other obligations. But Feb into March is busier then any other time. Too many jigs, blades, and cranks to get doneThat there is some nice work Randy. I wish I had the artistic talent for that. I’ve got a fair amount of old Muskie glide baits that I would love to sand down and repaint.
It’s a fair investment and easy to do. Watch for a starter kit deal on market place or eBay. Plenty of YouTube and Facebook groups. I made all my own stencils. Heck, this old dog learned how. 
It’s all about perspective anytime of year imo, but even I get a little down end of February
I know you keep an eye on that shed hunting thread like I do Werm, walking around looking for antlers is my fun right now!
I know you keep an eye on that shed hunting thread like I do Werm, walking around looking for antlers is my fun right now!
Yup, good excuse to get out and get moving! Have had a couple guys come thru outside my office this week as well.
In my opinion, this is a lot better than Jan-Feb was. Too cold so many days to do much outside. This time of year, I can at least tinker out in the garage with the warmer temps and longer daylight to get stuff ready for spring. I hate being locked up inside the house for weeks in Jan-Feb.
For the wheelhouse guys, I can see how your opinions may differ. Many guys go out every weekend with their family and have a lot of fun.
Spring is coming. Warmer out to start grilling and smoking again more. So many things are back on the table again.
Only a couple weeks away from hooking up the warrior and heading down to red wing!
IDK this weekends storm system could really turn the tide on what the rest of winter will be like. If we end up with a bunch of snow it could be a long ride, but it looks like it will be minimal snow and potentially thunderstorms.
Every time I hear the weather report this week, it sounds more and more like rain and less like snow. And the snow/rain line keeps moving north. Its supposed to be 45 degrees in the Twin Cities on Saturday. That will be all rain if its that warm.
This thread is another reminder to put your location in your info. Around here our snow and ice hasn’t shrunk at all, except the roads. It’s still real easy to get stuck on the lakes if you’re not careful. Some of you must be quite a ways south.
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