Ice fishing can be fun. Erect a shelter of some sort and spend the day fishing for trout, walleye, bass, perch, burbot and any other finned creature available in Columbia Basin waters.

Back in the Midwest, where the temperatures drop to well below zero for long periods of time, entire villages of ice huts spring up. Anglers spend days, if not weeks, in these villages. The more elaborate ones have plowed and named streets.

The huts are as fancy as the owner's imagination and depth of pocketbook allow.

Although it is possible to safely ice fish in the Basin, the ice doesn't get thick enough to satisfy us. Dennis note: The only time I felt safe on ice while fishing was during a trip to Canada. The ice was 2- to 3-feet thick and we reached the ice huts in vehicles. It was a wonderful experience and a lot of fun. If the ice reached a depth of at least 12 inches of around here, we would be on the ice with the rest of the anglers.

Still we will have anglers who

Local lakes and ponds are beginning to freeze with the current cold weather. Fish and wildlife doesn't measure ice on lakes, so anglers are on their own. However, they offer some tips to consider when heading out for an ice-fishing trip: Don't fish alone. Let others know exactly where you and your fishing partners are going and when you plan to return.

Keep fishing holes small and few. When drilling fishing holes with an ice auger, keep the diameter under eight inches. Bigger holes are not necessary to land fish and can create a safety hazard for others.

Watch your step. Avoid ice fishing near feeder streams or known springs; brush, logs, plants or docks. Also stay away from multiple ice cracks or ice that is popping or otherwise audible, plus and dark-colored ice that may be weak.

Spread out. Too many people congregated in one area may be more than the ice can safely support. Disperse weight and fishing holes.

Be prepared for weather conditions. Dress in layers and wear thermal underwear, fleece or wool, and wind and waterproof outerwear, especially for feet, hands and head. Take extra clothes, food, water, sand for traction, and a sled for easy on-ice transport of all equipment.

Be prepared for emergencies. Carry equipment such as ice picks or awls, rope, and personal flotation devices. Also pack a first-aid kit and matches for starting a fire.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers the following guide for traveling on ice: 2 inches or less, stay off; 4 inches, ice fishing or other activities on foot; 5 inches, snowmobile or ATV travel; 8 inches to 12 inches, car or small pickup travel; 12 inches to 15 inches, medium truck travel.

Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe. White ice, sometimes called snow ice, is only about one-half as strong as new clear ice so the above thicknesses should be doubled.

Christmas Bird Count

At the end of December the annual Christmas Bird Count is conducted. This will be the 112th annual Audubon Society's count near the Christmas holiday.

This year the count will take place between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, 2012, when tens of thousands of volunteers throughout North America will brave winter weather to add a new layer of data to the survey.

Every bird volunteers see on specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle will be counted. The numbers collected by observers allow biologists to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across the continent.

Counts are being coordinated in several communities in the region. If observers live within a CBC circle, they may arrange in advance to count the birds at their feeders and submit those data to their local compiler.

Counts within North Central Washington will take placed at: Bridgeport, Sat., Dec. 17, meet at McDonald's in Brewster at 7 a.m., contact Meredith Spencer at 509-686-7551, merdave@homenetnw.net; Moses Lake, Tues., Dec. 27, Contact Doug Schonewald at 509-766-0056, dschone8@donobi.net.

 Omak/Okanogan, Mon., Jan. 2, 2012 contact Heather Findlay at 509-429-8167, heather@eaglesun.net or Gordon Kent at 509-422-6116; Twisp, Sun., Dec.18, contact Leahe Swayze at leahe@methownet.com; Wenatchee, Sun., Jan. 1, 2012 contact Dan Stephens at dstephens@wvc.edu.

All of the contacts in this greater area are included because some counters may want to participate in more than one count.

This is a family-oriented outdoor activity. Along with the bird count, consider a wildlife viewing trip to Steamboat Rock State Park.

For the next three months plenty of bald eagles should be in the state park area. However, keep an eye out for them anywhere on the drove north. We have also seen a golden eagle, plus lots of other birds. Mule deer are the most seen big game animal.

Members appointed to Fish and Wildlife Commission

Larry Carpenter, a Mount Vernon boat dealer and long-time sport fishing enthusiast, and Jay Kehne, an Okanogan County conservationist and hunter, have been appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire to two vacant positions on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The commission is a nine-member citizen panel that sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Members are appointed by the governor to six-year terms. The commission holds public meetings that provide an opportunity for citizens to participate in management of Washington's fish and wildlife. Three members must reside east of the summit of the Cascade mountains, three must reside west of the summit and three may reside anywhere in the state.

Carpenter, appointed to a western Washington position on the commission, is owner of Master Marine Services, Inc., in Mount Vernon. He also serves on the Southern Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission, the body formed by Canada and the United States to implement the Pacific Salmon Treaty. He has been a long-time, active participant in the North of Falcon process, which is used to plan annual salmon-fishing seasons. Carpenter, who resides in Mount Vernon with his wife, Eileen, also has been a member of the Northwest Marine Trade Association's Fish Committee, which works to increase sport fishing opportunities and participation in the Northwest.

Kehne, appointed to an eastern Washington position on the commission, serves as Okanogan outreach associate for Conservation Northwest. He previously had 31-year career with the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, including serving as resource conservation and development coordinator for Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties and providing conservation assistance to farmers, ranchers and other landowners. He has collaborated on an Okanogan County conservation-easement working group with county officials, land trusts and WDFW staff. Kehne, a member of both the Rocky Mountain Elk and Mule Deer foundations, lives in Omak with his wife Rita and two children.

From Fish and Wildlife:

Steelhead fishing on the mainstem Columbia River usually picks up in December, as the action slows a little on the upper tributaries with advancing winter conditions. Areas to try include both above and below Wells Dam, at the mouths of the Entiat, Methow and Wenatchee rivers, and in the area across from the Eastbank Hatchery.

Selective gear rules are in effect for the mainstem, although bait is allowed. There is a mandatory retention rule on adipose-fin-clipped hatchery steelhead and a night closure.

Hunting: Success rates for waterfowl usually pick up in December, when wintery conditions move northern ducks and geese into the Columbia Basin. This is especially true for large, open bodies of water like Potholes Reservoir or Moses Lake.

The northern birds may now be in the area, but they are staying on the reserves, because of the heavy hunting pressure. They are expected to scatter during the next round of winter weather.

Goose hunters in Goose Management Area 4 will have four extra hunting days this month with the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Normally open only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays, goose hunting will also be open on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 26 and 27, and Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 and 30.

If snow accumulates this month, upland game bird hunting opportunities should improve, with pheasant, quail and partridge holding better for hunters with dogs. The season continues through Jan. 16.

The last releases of rooster pheasants from regional game farms this season were conducted just before Thanksgiving weekend. Dennis note: I'm headed out soon to try and find one of the remaining birds.

Candidates for disabilities advisory committee sought

The Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking an applicant to fill a vacancy on its advisory committee for persons with disabilities.

The seven-member committee advises the commission on issues of concern for hunters and fishers with disabilities, including special hunts, modified sporting equipment, access to public land and recreational opportunities.

Committee members are appointed by the commission, which sets policy for Fish and Wildlife.

Qualified applicants must have a permanent physical disability and reside in Washington State. The vacant position represents WDFW Region 3, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties.

Members serve four-year terms and are required to attend advisory committee meetings, held at least twice each year. Members serve without compensation, but receive reimbursement for travel expenses.

For an application form or additional information, prospective candidates can contact Dolores Noyes at Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2349.

To receive consideration, applications must be submitted by January 15, 2012 to Dolores Noyes, Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

WDFW will accept applications for ALEA volunteer grants

Beginning yesterday, Dec. 1, Fish and Wildlife will accept grant applications for projects that benefit the state's fish and wildlife.

The grants, funded through the state's Aquatic Land Enhancement Account, provide reimbursement for organizations and individuals who conduct volunteer projects that conserve fish and wildlife or promote public appreciation of species ranging from steelhead to sage-grouse.

Fish and Wildlife currently expects to award about $180,000 in ALEA grants this year.

Five major types of projects are funded through the program: habitat restoration, research, education and outreach, facility development and artificial production. Other projects consistent with Fish and Wildlife goals and objectives also may be considered. Grants may not be used for salaries, wages or stipends.

Eligible applicants include individual citizens, non-profit organizations, tribes and political subdivisions of the state, such as public utility districts, schools and universities. State and federal agencies are not eligible.

Applications must be received or postmarked by Feb. 29, 2012. Application materials will be available for download from WDFW's web site by Dec. 1, at http://wdfw.wa.gov/grants/alea/index.html. Those without adequate internet access can request a compact disc containing the application materials by contacting Fish and Wildlife at 360-902-2700.