Caples and Silver Lakes, California. California does not usually come to mind when people think of ice fishing, but the Caples and Silver Lakes along the Alpine State Highway in the Sierra Nevada region provide stunningly beautiful mountain scenery and perfect conditions for ice fishing. The locations along the highway are best, but make sure you go far enough out into the lake before drilling holes, as the lake dries before freezing. Also, be sure to drill several holes, as the sunlight will draw the fish to the surface.

Strawberry Reservoir, Utah. Strawberry Reservoir is located east of Provo is another somewhat unexpected location. In the summer the reservoir offers plentiful trout fishing, with thousands of large rainbow and cutthroat trout, along with kokanee salmon. Fish here replenish quickly, meaning that there are fish available even in winter. Although this lake can be dangerous as it freezes unevenly, once a safe drilling location is found, try drilling in the weed beds. These areas are the feeding grounds for massive trout. Otherwise, if not catching many fish, drilling a hole a few feet over can even make a huge difference. Strawberry reservoir will not disappoint.

Chequamegon Bay, Wisconsin. This bay, located off of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin is notorious for fast-changing weather and ferocious storms. This is perhaps the most rugged location highlighted. A snowmobile or ATV is required to get far out onto the ice where salmonids, walleyes, and pike abound. Be sure to take a functional communication device with you, just in case the weather drastically changes.

Monona Bay, Wisconsin. Monona Bay is an inlet of the larger Lake Monona, which makes up the east side of the isthmus of downtown Madison. You can fish in the shadow of the numerous tall buildings and the giant capitol dome on this popular bay. On a typical winter day, the bay is usually teeming with ice fisherman, and for good reason. Fish abound under the ice here, as there are several weed patches for feeding located in the bay. This is the perfect urban ice fishing location.

Caspian Lake, Vermont. Perch abound in this New England lake. Due to the frigid Vermont winters, the lake freezes early, and it is recommended that fisherman drill several holes here for best results.

There are few places on Earth where every fish caught is massive in size, and the fishing season begins in January. One of these unique places is found in a very unlikely corner of the globe: the African country of Sierrra Leone. According to the International Game Fishing Association’s book of world records for game fish, twelve records for several types of fish weighing from 166 to 283 pounds were caught in the waters off of Bonthe, Sierra Leone. This fertile fishing ground at the confluence of the Sherbro and Kittam rivers is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for tarpon, so it is paradise for the avid fisherman.

Sierra Leone may be known as the setting for the film Blood Diamond, but it has much more to offer to outdoorsmen from countries all over the world. Sierra Leone’s tourism organization has recently set up fishing excursions to the Bonthe Holiday Village, which is located in a former seaside trading post on Sherbro Island. Although it involves much travel to get there, it is well worth it for the sheer quantity, quality, and size of the fish found there. Throughout the year, fisherman can expect to catch barracuda, grouper, giant mackerel, and jack that are found in huge numbers, and are massive in size.

At the Holiday Village in Bonthe, fisherman can take any of the village’s modern fishing boats, and can find accommodations under groves of ancient mango trees in modern facilities. Very little fishing has taken place here over the last decade, so now is the perfect time to go and catch massive tarpon, with two recent ones topping 300 pounds. There have been numerous occasions where fishermen have come home with tarpon weighing between 250 to 300 pounds.

Although traveling to Sierra Leone in its current political state may not be completely safe, if you are willing to take the risk, Bonthe and the entire country produce some of the biggest fish on Earth which are just waiting to be caught. January to May is the high season for fish.

Since few tourists visit Bonthe, prices for travel and lodging remain relatively cheap. So this winter, if you are looking to catch the biggest fish of your life, head to Bonthe, Sierra Leone, where the fish a large and plentiful. You will have an amazing time discovering one of the few remaining remote corners of the Earth.

It is an old belief among fishermen that the reason bass are so big and easy to catch at this time is because they are already preparing for the spawn in the spring. In preparation for winter and the spawn, bass eat a lot, and then become dormant in the cold waters of the season. The bass love the shallow water, because it is much easier for them to find prey and to eat all the way up until the water becomes cold.

This is the opportune moment for fishermen to strike. At this time of the year, the waters are just starting to become cold, so the large female bass preparing for the spawn are still eating in the shallow waters; however, they haven’t completely quit moving. Many fishermen report catching bass upwards of 25 pounds. Although that may not be the biggest fish you ever catch, it is still large enough for an award in most tournaments.

In order to attract the attention of the bass in these grasses, crankbaits have been proven effective. Try the square-billed variety when the fish are bunched up.

While the northern lakes are already freezing over, from about Tennessee southward, the waters are in prime condition to catch these big bass. Many state parks in northern Alabama are renowned around the country for their fertile fishing grounds. If you are looking to catch a big bass this season, head south to the thousands of bass fishing locations available. According to satisfied fishermen, you will not be disappointed.

Would you like to join the many people who come fishing here, and return home with a fish big enough to fill a freezer?  If yes, read on to find out the details!

This southern, fall fisherman’s paradise, is located in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and it branches out across the entire Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. This location is still somewhat warm in November, and proves to be one of the most fertile fishing grounds in the United States.

The biggest fish of the season start biting off of Alabama’s Gulf Coast around this time, continuing through Thanksgiving. The plethora of fish (tuna, wahoo, grouper, vermillion snapper, tilefish, yellowedge grouper, and snowy grouper) astounds fisherman from around the country, and attracts many northerners from places where the fishing season is over.

Many companies take tourists and locals alike out into the Gulf on charter boats, with the itinerary shaped by the type of fish the people would like to catch. These charter boats launch out of Gulf Shores and Mobile several times daily during this peak season.

From the boats, the fisherman use electric reels, because they are fishing anywhere from 400-600 feet below the surface, along the edge of the Continental Shelf. Fish are plentiful in this area for many reasons. The climate is very warm, especially in the summer, which keeps the water temperature just right for warm-water species into mid-December.

Every day in the winter, “Reel Surprise Charters” takes a group of fisherman and tourists on six to eight hour fishing trips to areas that are absolutely swimming with vermillion snapper, white snapper, lane snapper, triggerfish, grouper, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and vast numbers of red snapper, which is by far the most abundant fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

If you or your group of friends are looking to escape the frigid fall to winter transition in the north, head south the Gulf Shores, Alabama. “Reel Surprise Charters” (www.reelsurprisecharters.com) takes fisherman out all year long, and has catching fish down to a science. Gulf Shores is conveniently located near the larger cities of Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, making it easily accessed by land and air.

If you do plan to take advantage of this opportunity, make sure to clean out space in your freezer; you’re going to need it.

The calendar, much like the rest of the almanac, is based upon the phases of the moon, what zodiac phase the moon is in, and the experience by the people who fish each day, and who work for the almanac. The only things that could affect these predictions of the fishing experience are the local conditions and the tides.

You may not know it, but fishing can still be pretty good in October – especially on the 18th and 19th. From what I learned in the almanac, I will list the days to fish, and the days to avoid; however, I first need to briefly explain what the ratings themselves mean.

Poor means that fish will either steal your bait, or not touch the line. Fair means that you may catch a fish, but it will take a lot of work. Good means that you will “catch enough fish to feel gratified.” As one can assume, best means that it is likely that you will catch a fish almost every time you cast your line into the water.

According to the calendar on the Farmer’s Almanac website, the month of October starts out poor, then on the fourth moves to fair, then one day of good on the seventh, and three days of best from the eighth to the tenth. After this, the cycle returns to fair, then down to poor, but then spikes up to best on the eighteenth to the nineteenth, before returning to lower levels closer to the end of the month, and does not return to best until November fifth to the seventh. (This translates into about 6 or 7 days of a great fishing experience!)

As a fisherman, I cannot help but wonder if these rankings are true. Yet, this publication has been in existence for many years, and it is highly regarded. Another factor that points to its legitimacy is the fact that the source is popular, as the link on the website has been liked by nearly 1,500 people.

Any fisherman out there want to tell us if this ranking system is spot on or far off target?

Lakes of northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. The land of 10,000 lakes, and neighboring Wisconsin, are ground zero of the northern fishing scene. Pristine pine trees surround the crystal clear waters of the lakes that dot the northern woods. Non-commercialized fishing towns dating back to the days of the lumberjack can be found by the dozen. If you want the quintessential weekend at the lake, head to the northern reaches of the Midwest.

Bay Area of California. Although I have not experienced this location first hand, many fishing articles I read highlight the massive sturgeons that inhabit the Sacramento River. Even in San Francisco, an abundance of saltwater fish can be caught from boats in the bay, or even from the piers that line the Pacific.

Florida Everglades. As can be expected, many Florida locations could be on this list. In particular, south Florida and the Everglades provide an unthinkable variety of fish. Bass frequent the inland areas, and tuna, barracuda, and the ever-delicious swordfish make perfect targets for anglers.

Atchafalaya Basin. Along with the Everglades, south-central Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin Preserve forms a swampy and mysterious backdrop to catch large bass and a plethora of other swamp fish. Many anglers also report either seeing (or accidentally catching) alligators, which add a level of thrill to any fishing trip out on the bayou.

Great Lakes. The largest system of fresh water in the world is a no-brainer for fisherman across the country. The portals of Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Toronto provide ample access for travelers seeking a fishing trip to the Great Lakes. Not only do the Great Lakes have plenty of fishing, they embrace it. Many residents of these cities, along with the smaller cities around the coasts, can be seen fishing and enjoying the lakefronts all spring and summer long.

New England. The ocean plays a vital role in the foundations and lives of residents of New England, and they are quick to make sure you do not forget. From lobster boils, to fresh seafood restaurants, from Connecticut to Maine, the cold and salty Atlantic is ripe for deep-sea fisherman. What makes this region so special is the history and high standard that the cities along the Atlantic embody here.

Imagine this, the blue rippling waters of the Atlantic are crashing against the cragged coastlines, and in the distance a lighthouse rises from the cliffs to complete the backdrop to your fishing trip. Now that would be the best place to fish in America, for me.

I will do my best to attempt to describe the process behind this bizarre hillbilly activity, but your best bet will be to pull it up on YouTube, and watch for yourself.

Basically, noodling is an unorthodox method of fishing for catfish. The noodler finds warm, shallow, usually muddy water, and searches with his or her foot for a catfish nest. Apparently, during spawning season, the catfish rarely leave their nests, setting the stage for noodling extravaganzas. Continuing on, the noodler barricades all escape routes, and tests the hole with a stick. If an experienced noodler feels a catfish, the noodler will simply jam a hand into the hole.

This is where noodling takes a turn to the disturbing. The noodler, with his or her hand in the catfish nest, hopes that the mama catfish swims out in defense, and bites. Not just a nibble. We are talking a catfish weighing between 30 and 70 pounds, biting the noodler’s entire hand, and maybe even the entire arm. Luckily, catfish do not have sharp teeth; however, please take a second right now and imagine your entire arm submerged inside of a giant catfish.

If the catfish does not bite, the noodler jabs the hand even further into it, and literally grabs it internally by the gills. This is where the sport lost me.

The next step is to wrangle the catfish out of the water, kill it, cook it, and eat it. In true Southern style, many residents of the rural south will go on weekends with a bunch of buddies and go noodling in large groups – to basically get drunk, and to help each other get the massive catfish out of the murky waters.

The practice of noodling has also been adopted by the folks of southern Oklahoma. Noodling has gained such attention in Oklahoma, that in 2001, Redline Entertainment produced the documentary, Okie Noodling, which analyzes the subculture surrounding it. The documentary interviews older noodlers, who are missing fingers and toes, about the history and practice of it. Many claim that Native Americans, as well as white settlers, practiced noodling as a survival tactic in the New World. There is little evidence to support this theory.

Noodling made its television debut on Late Night with David Letterman in 1989, with special guest Jerry Rider. (Rider caught a catfish in a tank on stage). This brought attention to the mass popularity of the sport. Noodling has been a theme on shows such as Dirty Jobs, King of the Hill, and Cougar Town, as well as having received millions of views on YouTube.

I will never try noodling, but try it if you have the courage!

If you are considering going ice fishing for the first time this coming winter, there are things you are going to need to know. If you plan to be successful at this endeavor, know that ice fishing gear is highly specialized.

You will need:

1. Ice saw, auger, or chisel. You will need this to cut a hole in the ice. If you forget this valuable tool, you might as well call it a day.
2. Fishing rods with large guides, a sensitive tip, and some backbone. According to invoman.com, you will need this, along with reels, a line, a bobber, and a split-shot.
3. Fingernail clippers to cut the line.
4. Bait. It’s freezing cold. You’re mistaken if you think the fish are going to bite just anything. Crappie minnows would probably be good, solid bait.
5. A fishing license. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may need a specialized permit or license. Be sure to check well in advance of your ice fishing expedition.
6.Hand warmers, five layers of clothing, thermoses of warm coffee, hats, gloves, etc. This is the component that will mean the difference between heaven and hell. Your trip will be absolutely miserable if you do not bring enough winter gear. You can count on getting splashed with the frigid water and chunks of ice.

Even while writing this article my limbs started to lose feeling, and my body started to shiver. Maybe it is because when I was younger, I was forced to go ice fishing on Monona Bay in Madison, Wisconsin. The temperature was at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and my enthusiasm measured even lower. We were in a tiny tent, in the middle of a wind-swept lake for six hours. Being with two amateur ice fishermen, it was an experience I was sure never to repeat. I did catch a fish, and it was rewarding, but the mind-numbing wait for the catch was not worth it.

If you ever find yourself having the desire to go ice fishing, go right ahead. But be sure not to forget anything on the list, or you could be sorry. On the frozen tundra of the north in the winter, the climate is anything but forgiving; so follow the motto of the Boy Scouts and “Be Prepared,” and be sure to let me know how it goes.

Growing up in Wisconsin, I was introduced to the muskie at an early age. My grandfather, an avid angler, would make an annual trip through the lakes and streams of Wisconsin to the dense forests of Ontario in search of the elusive muskie. I recently heard a story that perfectly exemplifies the Midwestern fascination with the muskellunge.

My uncle recalled going on a family vacation as a child to Sawyer County, Wisconsin, ground zero for muskie fishing. He awoke late one night to a figure standing in the door of the trailer holding a long and shaking object. A flashlight revealed my grandfather in a nearly catatonic state holding a large muskie. After fishing for several hours in the dark, he had finally caught the fish of his dreams – one over three feet long!

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a muskie’s length and weight vary based on the lake. Trophy size muskies have been known to be over five feet in length and up to 70lbs. This beautiful fish of silvery–green became the state fish of Wisconsin in 1955, and “remains one of the most desired trophy fish in the Great Lakes region.” Recent statistics suggest it takes the average angler between 20 to 80 hours to catch a muskie. Wisconsin has produced more record-size muskies than any of the other states with one catch weighing a record 69lbs and 11oz.

The ‘muskie epicenter lies in the small town of Hayward, Wisconsin. This town of 2,000 people is surrounded by many lakes, including Lac Courte Oreilles, Round Lake, and Moose Lake. These lakes are known for producing trophy-sized muskie on a regular basis. Many residents of Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis own cabins in this area so they to can test their angling skills. To make sure that no one overlooks the presence of the muskie in Hayward, the city is also home to the National Fresh Water Fish Hall of Fame which is the site of the world’s largest fiberglass Muskie, measuring 200 feet long.

If you are an avid angler, or just a novice on a quest for a fish deserving of bragging rights, join the hundreds of other fishermen on the eternal quest for the perfect muskie.

There are many knots in the sport of fishing. There are knots to attach your lure or hook to the line, there are knots to attach the line to your reel, and there are knots to attach one line to another line. Given the many knots, the Snell Knot is still considered to be one of the best fishing knots. This is because it provides a very good connection and preserves the strength of the line. It is best used as a live bait rig, and it allows your line to be tied directly to your hook. With the Snell Knot, it is no longer the weakest link. This is great, because there is nothing more demoralizing than catching a big one, then letting it slip away because the knot was too weak.

How to tie the Snell Knot:

1. Insert one end of the leader through the hook’s eye, extending 1 to 2 inches past the eye.

2. Insert the other end of the leader through the eye in the opposite direction, pointing toward the barb of the hook.

3. Hold the hook and leader ends between your thumb and forefinger of left hand. Leader will hang below the hook in a large loop.

4. Take the part of the large lower loop that is closest to the eye, and wrap it over the hook shank and both ends of the leader toward the hook’s barb.

5. Continue to wrap for 7 or 8 turns and hold wraps with left hand.

6. Grip the end of the leader that is through the eyelet with your right hand, and pull it slowly and steadily. Hold the turns with your left hand or the knot will unravel.

7. When knot is almost tight, slide it up against the eye of the hook. Grip the short end lying along the shank of the hook with a pair of pliers.

8. Pull this end and the standing line at the same time to completely tighten the knot.

Once you master this knot, you are well on your way to catching the big one.