Brad Kerr

This time of year, the bank fishermen find their way out to the north dike to do some night fishing at Willard Bay, and the numbers of eager anglers is fascinating to me.

Most are of the opinion that any fish is a good one at night. But it seems wipers are among the most coveted to catch.

If you have a certain spot you like to frequent along the rocks, be sure to get there early to stake out your ground. Early could mean several things here. Some fishermen don't show up until after 10 p.m., while others like to get out before the sun goes down. Most anglers are polite enough and keep their distance from you, so you feel like you have room to cast and retrieve without feeling cramped or in danger of getting tangled.

Beyond the simple sadness of the end of the ice fishing season, the onset of spring brings the expectations of open-water fishing. But there's also the dreaded yard and garden work that comes with the sprouting of green grass and budding trees. No longer quite so free to play on Saturdays as once before, there begins to be a natural response to such mild weather to get out in the yard and work.

The fish finder showed 25 feet of water, with a moving bottom. Up and down, with changing colors to go with it; first green or yellow, then turning to red and back again. That meant fish on the bottom, and likely perch at that.

I watched closely at the colorful flashing lines on my fish finder, almost mesmerized by the movement of some of the "bleeps" on my screen. Those were fish, and I was prepared to set the hook with a quick lift if one took my jig. I had moved four or five times this morning looking for active fish, and now had found some. My initial idea for the day was a bust, so I went to plans B, C, and D before finding some success.

The downrigger wires were singing against the force of the water as we trolled along.