Warmth aside, it’s still winter

Here in the upper Midwest, winter doesn’t disappear so easily.

Many of you decided to tempt fate by grabbing some summer shorts, light shirts and sandals, then pretended a blast of warm air from the South Pacific was upon us.

No way. Winter is hiding its face and tentacles in the forest preserves.

With all that said, one must use caution when traversing area ponds and lakes.

Fox Chain: Lake Catherine and Channel Lake are two areas that have safe ice. Bluegill fishing is good.

Fox River: Open-water areas around bridges seem to be gathering spots for walleyes, near Elgin.

Lake Michigan: Here’s a mixed bag of reports and action. Some people were able to get their boats in the water at Waukegan for steelhead action, while shore anglers have high hopes for early coho at Montrose.

Licenses available: Illinois fishing, hunting and sportsman#146;s combination licenses for 2012 are available from DNR Direct license and permit vendors, online through the IDNR website or by calling 1-888-6PERMIT. The system is available 24 hours a day. The 2012 licenses will be valid through March 31, 2013 unless otherwise noted.Spring Turkey applications: Resident and non-resident hunters may apply for 2012 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Season permits online. The deadline to apply for the third lottery drawing is Feb. 9. Random daily drawings begin March 9. The link to the online permit application can be found on the IDNR website#146;s Spring Turkey page.Ÿ Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM and live-streamed at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.