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by Bob Jensen
 This past year has dealt all of some unpleasant economics. Gas prices were very high for much of the summer, and some folks had and still have concerns about job security. Many of us had to watch our expenditures even closer this year. Some folks decided not to buy new vehicles or move into different homes.
A few folks decided that with gas being so expensive, fishing was too expensive. They decided that their expensive trip to Canada or some other far-off destination would be cancelled and they just wouldn't go fishing this year. That's too bad. Fishing doesn't need to be expensive and certainly shouldn't be cut out of our lives.
With four dollar a gallon gas, many of had to adjust. I know I did. However, I went fishing just as much this year, and I caught just as many fish, probably more, than I have in previous years. Here's how.
Those of us who live in the Midwest, and I would guess in any region of the country, are blessed with outstanding fishing opportunities. We just have to search them out.
Some anglers travel long distances to far-from-home fishing locations. That's fun, but when you drive to far away fishing spots, you're driving by some fantastic bodies of water.
I fished in the Hutchinson and Faribault lakes regions of Minnesota this year. Hutchinson is about an hour west of the Twin Cities, Faribault is about an hour south. Both have a good number of lakes, and both areas provide great fishing for bass, walleyes, panfish, pike, and muskies.
I also fished the Chippewa Flowage near Hayward Wisconsin this year. The "Chip" is within an easy drive of many metro areas in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Chicago. The "Chip" is a true wilderness setting. We saw black bears and bald eagles and had world class walleye and crappie fishing.
My long trip of the year was to Rainy Lake near International Falls Minnesota. Thanks to a slot limit for walleyes on Rainy Lake, some of the best walleye fishing in the world can be found there. Rainy is a scenic, huge body of water. On Rainy, you can find lots of secluded areas. We fished about five minutes out of International Falls and had tremendous action for walleyes, both eaters and big ones. If you want to burn gas you can, but you sure don't need to.
Lake Winnibigoshish and Upper Red Lake in Minnesota, Oconto County in Wisconsin, Devils Lake in North Dakota, the Glacial Lakes of South Dakota, the entire stretch of the Mississippi River, and on and on and on. Wherever you live in the Midwest, you're close to some outstanding fishing. Travel less, yes. But not go fishing? That's out of the question. Do some research and you'll find that you live closer to good fishing than you thought.
For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest.com |
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