Happy New Year everyone! We had a great fishing year in 2011, and I anticipate some fabulous fishing in 2012. In January I hope to get out and do some ice fishing on a few of our area lakes. This is the month for ice anglers to try perch fishing at the Coulee City Marina and perch and walleye fishing at Moses Lake. I am planning a trip to Fish Lake, near Lake Wenatchee, and Patterson Lake near Winthrop.

I will also be checking on Roses Lake, which can be good for catchable size rainbow in January, and I am anxious to see how the ice fishing is at Rat Lake near Brewster this year. One thing I am definitely going to do this year that I haven't in the past is participate in the Annual Ice Fishing Festival on Molson Lake, which is just outside of the town of Oroville. It will take place on President's Day Weekend again this year, and I have heard a lot about this festival and want to get in on the action this time.

In addition to the ice fishing opportunities in January, Rufus Woods should be in top form this year. I am planning to fish Rufus with Joe Heinlen to tape one of my Outdoor Insider TV Shows, so be sure to tune in to learn all his secrets!