Outdoor notes for Jan. 31

I've spoken with a dozen or so local anglers this week as the temperature rose and teased us into thinking we would have a rapid thaw on our presently frozen lakes. I suggested they stop dreaming and start tasking advantage of the excellent ice angling.

For example:

• Fox Chain: Petite Lake is the shining star for walleye action just before sunrise and then later in the evening. Fish in the 2-to 4-pound class are being taken on tip-ups, jigging spoons and dead-stick rods baited with small minnows. Channel Lake bluegill action is just now starting to pick up. Look for decent crappie activity on Pistakee Lake during late afternoon periods.

• Paul Wengus of Mount Prospect reported that once the surface ice stabilized in Montrose Harbor, he was able to find some decent perch action.

• Two major ice fishing tournaments going on this weekend. The North American Ice Fishing Championship is expected to draw some of the hot sticks to Channel Lake on Sunday, while the walk on water event is more family oriented and will take place Saturday on bangs Lake in Wauconda.