A young angler points out the "one that doesn't belong" on the magnetic fish poster in the Lake Winona warming house at Winona District Ice Fishing Day, Feb 21, 2009. Photo by Pam Thiel, La Crosse NFWCO.

“Making the Best of It, Minnesotan Style” could be the theme for the annual ice fishing day hosted by the Winona District of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge held February 21, 2009.   Minnesotans don’t let the solid state of H₂0 deter them from the quest of catching mighty bluegill,  and that was definitely true on this day, as the hard water on Lake Winona was over 20 inches thick!   The kids were eager and enthusiastic, but despite the aid and guidance of a few accomplished fish biologists from the La Crosse National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, no bluegill were to be had.   That absence of our piscine friends did not dampen the mood of the children, as Refuge staff had planned an eventful day, whether or not the fish cooperated. 

Ice shacks were in place across Lake Winona, and there wasn’t an empty seat in a single shack.  For those who got cold and couldn’t find a seat in an ice shack,  activities in the warming house included fish painting, fish identification and introduction to global positioning systems (GPS).  For the hungry folk, there were hot things to eat, mostly dogs and chocolate.  After the GPS introduction, a school of children plodded across the ice on a geo-caching treasure hunt.  A good time was had by all, and the La Crosse NFWCO staff thanks the Winona District and Upper Miss staff for hosting this opportunity for the children and inviting us to participate in another fun day of fishing.