Venison villains pay dearly for crime
In keeping with the holiday theme, there always seems to be a story that catches my eye.
A Texan and a Minnesota resident recently found out just how expensive misdeeds can become. A federal judge in Texas sentenced both men to prison terms this week for transporting white tail deer across state lines.
Both culprits received 18-month sentences with 36 months of probation after their release. They must also pay a $50,000 fine. Hats off to the judge.
Heads up: Duck hunting in our area has greatly improved. The cold snap hugging the Midwest has forced some of the larger flights of migrating ducks into our area.
Fishing update: Don't let the skim ice deter the faithful when it comes to cold weather angling.
Fox Chain: There's plenty of muskie action on the Chain's north end with most of it focusing on live bait like jumbo suckers. Guide Darrell Baker reports seeing two muskies chasing big crappies on Channel Lake. And the crappie bite itself hasn't let up. Bigger fish are coming from Channel Lake and Lake Catherine.
Fox River: Still a tad early for ice fishing on the back channels of the Fox, but some early birds are tempting fate at Port Barrington. Use extra caution.
Land O' Lakes, Wis.: There is some safe ice at the very upper reaches of Wisconsin. The panfish bite is excellent.
Lake Michigan: Perching continues at several locations, but the catches continue to be meager and the sizes are small.
• Mike Jackson's radio program can be heard 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM; you can e-mail him at angler88@comcast.net.