ANGLING TIPS | Jack Wollitz

Cheer up, anglers. The fish aren't exactly jumping into the boat right now, but the action is sure to heat up soon.
It's a matter of water temperature, and the lakes are still frigid. Walleyes are moving, but the big wave is still out in no-man's-land waiting for conditions to improve.
Judging by the parking lot at Mosquito Creek Reservoir's state park launch area last weekend, lots of fishermen decided to jump-start their season. It isn't often that the armada sets sail in March, but it definitely was out in full force last Saturday and Sunday.
I was among those who took advantage of the warm weather. It was a thrill just to put the hammer down on the Merc and put the Ranger up on plane for a quick dash up Mosquito. We didn't score on any fish but really didn't care.
Expectations will increase, however, now that April is here. The walleyes, crappies and bass are just a few degrees from warming up to their spring activity levels.
As we cruised the lake last Saturday, we stopped in a few favorite spots. One was a small bay on the west side of Mosquito, where a creek runs in from the swampy land adjacent the reservoir.
The water was a bit warmer and a lot muddier than the main lake and absolutely choked with big carp. Though carp are not high on anglers' lists, their presence does signal better fishing prospects are just a few days away.
It's likely, in fact, that this weekend will be the turning point.
If you get the opportunity to venture out to your favorite water in the next few days, seize it. Whatever your luck, a few hours of fishing is a far cry better than cleaning up the winter debris in the yard.
jwwollitz@aol.com