I have been checking around the region to see if there is ice forming on our area lakes. I have a buddy coming here around the end of the month and I want to take him up to Fish Lake, drill some holes and catch some perch. It sounds like it will be close. There are still patches of open water on Fish Lake. We'll see. There is enough ice for anglers to get out on Patterson Lake, near Winthrop.

This is one of my favorite winter lakes. I have been up there a few times and have caught some dandy perch. I have also seen rainbow of 16 inches taken through the ice at Patterson. I have also heard that there are some people out on the ice at Moses Lake. This kind of surprised me, because I have also heard that there is open water on Moses Lake.I always stress that you should check ahead and always take caution when planning an ice fishing trip.

A couple of other places I will be checking on is the marina at Coulee City, which is usually a good spot for smaller perch, and Rat Lake near Brewster. Rat was very good for trout this fall and may be hot this winter.