Late ice out likely to dampen fishing season

What if the ice doesn’t leave?

The fishing opener is a little more than a month away and — perhaps you’ve heard — winter doesn’t seem to want to let go of its warm embrace.

Check out yesterday afternoon’s picture of our fair state. See any sign of open water?

Photo: Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Brainerd Dispatch reports trucks are still using ice roads up in that neck of the woods.

Last year, the Governor’s Fishing Opener had to be moved to an area with open water. The ice on Mille Lacs didn’t clear until nearly mid-May. This year’s May 8-11 opener is supposed to be held on Gull Lake.

Last year, it took temperatures in the 80s and 90s — in May! — to get rid of the ice but this year’s spring already looks to be colder than normal.

Keep the auger handy.

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