Letter from Evan: Phenology of False Spring
-Evan Griggs, Owner Fishing For All
It’s felt good to say, “Boy, this has been a long winter.” It started out cold and snowy with fishable ice even in the metro before the holidays, which hasn’t happened in a number of years. Then we’ve had long stretches of below zero temps, keeping us indoors, and praying our waterlines don’t burst like the trees were outside. Mid-winter can be a tough time, especially when coupled with prolonged extreme cold and turbulent current events. Things were progressing as a normal winter climatically should until the last couple weeks, when a rare and welcome phenomenon graced us- False Spring.
“False seasons” offer a glimmer of what’s to come for us in the northland. A welcome reprieve often from whatever season we are in. In summer, it can be a hint of fall temps during a grueling warm spell. The most soul uplifting false season though is definitely false spring. True northerners know it’s usually too good to last, and relish every second of warmth and sunshine they can get. It offers a chance to break out of your cabin fever and take a deep breath of fresh air. A chance to remember, “Oh yeah, spring is coming!” And though false seasons usually end with a horrendous blizzard or sweltering heat, the chance to restock our optimism is well worth it.
What’s happening in nature this time of late winter, and how did our latest false spring affect things? Phenology (the study of patterns in nature) tells us a few things happen this late into winter, and signal that spring is on the way:
Birds
If you have a feeder out, you probably are seeing more visitors. Bluejays, dark-eyed juncos, and nuthatches are common to see in the late winter at bird feeders. Black-capped chickadees will also start singing their “fee-dee” songs to attract mates, and cardinals begin singing more frequently too. Northern flicker woodpeckers start migrating through again too. We’ve also been seeing lots of swans flying north again too, seeking out cornfields and open water pockets of lakes, ponds and rivers. At night, you’ll hear lots of owls chattering this month as they begin nesting.
Mammals
Black bears give birth to their cubs in their dens this time of winter. Deer begin foraging heavily on woody twigs and sticks, eating up to 6-8 pounds of them daily. Bucks will drop their antlers as well.
Plants
Temperatures above freezing during the day, and below freezing at night, gets the sap flowing in maple trees. Pussy willows start to bud, and red-osier dogwood is at its most vibrant red coloration.
Fish
Burbot spawn this time of winter under the ice in shallow water, creating wriggling balls of dozens to hundreds of fish, releasing eggs and milt en mass. Female burbot release 60,000-3 million eggs, which will sink to the bottom and hatch in 4-8 weeks. Small and shallow waterbodies often begin seeing fish kills after a long winter, as dissolved oxygen levels are used up. Fish will congregate near any springs, green aquatic vegetation, stream in-flows, or deep water basins for higher oxygen levels this time of the season. Trout can become more active during warm spells in the winter, because tiny black stoneflies and midges start hatching on warm, sunny days.
Our latest false spring was almost two weeks of high temperatures. Roaming across the state for ice fishing programs, it was a little surprising to see how much snow pack got melted even in far northern Minnesota. Then to top it off, central Minnesota got hit hard with rain the other day, and then our false season was hit with a crescendo of snow in the south and far north. It’s obviously still early to sound any alarms for water conditions for next season, but it is something tuned-in anglers keep an eye on over the next couple months. Little to no snowpack means low and hot water later in summer. I trust in the spiteful humor of the weather gods though, and March-April will produce plenty of snow and rain.
After the warm up and rain, lake ice is definitely less consistent than it has been and should be for this time of winter. Lots of slushy spots have formed, pressure ridges and open water cracks will become more of an issue on larger waterbodies, and shoreline ice has gotten fairly sketchy on lakes in the southern half of the state. The lakes we’ve been on around the metro still have around 20” of good ice, but shorelines (especially around boat ramps or in-flows) have started to open up and require caution if you’re heading out. If we get good and cold temps with not much more precipitation over the next week, we should finish the ice season strong.
Now is the best time to start heading to driftless trout streams! After the prolonged warm spell, the creeks should be open and ice free, hiking will be easy with not too much snow, bugs are hatching, and the trout will be happy. March-May are my absolute favorite months to fish for trout, and this false spring has extended that window.
If you’ve been struggling with cabin fever this winter, just remember, “Spring is coming!” May this false season be a reminder of what’s just around the corner. Watch the birds, catch a few more fish through the ice, and get ready for a few more snow storms- because that’s just how winter works here.
Read on below for our initial drop of 2026 camps, classes, and memberships!
Community Highlight – Minnesota’s Native Fish
Minnesota’s native “rough fish” limits are on the table — comment by March 12
Minnesota is moving toward modern harvest limits for several native, non-game fish that have traditionally been treated as “rough fish.” The DNR is taking public input right now on a proposal that would set daily and possession limits for multiple native species groups that have long been essentially unlimited.
Public comment deadline
Comments are due by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Details on how to comment (email/phone/mail) are on the DNR’s Native rough fish limits rulemaking page.
What’s proposed (quick snapshot)
The proposal would set new inland-water limits for several native groups, including:
- Bowfin: 6
- Bigmouth + smallmouth buffalo (combined): 5 in northern zones / 30 in southern zone
- Suckers + redhorses (combined): 30
- Carpsuckers + quillback (combined): 30
- Freshwater drum: 30
- Goldeye + mooneye (combined): 30
The draft also uses “counting” size thresholds for some groups (notably 12 inches for several sucker/buffalo groups and 7 inches for goldeye/mooneye).
If adopted, the DNR says the rule would take effect March 1, 2027.
Why this matters for Minnesota fisheries
These fish aren’t junk — they’re native building blocks of Minnesota’s rivers and lakes. They cycle nutrients, feed predators at different life stages, and keep ecosystems stable when conditions change. The DNR’s stated motivation is simple: harvest pressure and interest have grown, and the agency wants basic guardrails to prevent overharvest and support long-term conservation.
Frequent Fishers Monthly Membership Program
2026 is going to be a big year for Fishing For All, and we are so excited to share these incredible opportunities with our community! These offerings usually book quickly, so snag your spot as soon as you can!
First, we are announcing Fishing For All’s Frequent Fishers Monthly Membership program!
Frequent Fisher Memberships with Fishing For All are for intermediate to advanced skill anglers looking for advanced-level learning, deeper experiences, and diverse fishing opportunities!
As a Frequent Fisher Member, you get access to 8 exclusive benefits plus additional perks.
Details for this membership can be found below!
2026 Trips, Camps, Classes, and More!
- Learn How to Fish
- All-Inclusive Trips
- DIY Trips
- Weekly Meetups
- Youth Camps
Ongoing Events and Classes
Back by popular demand, we will be returning to the gym at Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights for Indoor Fly Casting Lessons!
Don’t let your casting arm get rusty over winter, we can help you polish up your skills! Whether you’re a beginner or advanced caster, we can help fine tune your distance and accuracy, and/or start from square one.
Bring your own fly rod if you have one, otherwise we will have a small number of loaner rods available. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. $50/angler/session.
- Sessions: 7:30-9pm @ Two Rivers High School, Mendota Heights MN
- February 20, 27
- March 6
Tis the season! Come “Break Thread” with us this winter at 56brewing.
These are FREE social fly tying gatherings, bring your own fly tying stuff (you don’t need to be a pro!)
Come hang, drink, and be nerdy!
- 2/24
- 3/10 & 24
- 4/14 & 28
2026 Intro to Ice Fishing Programs!
Fishing isn’t just a summer activity! Once our lakes freeze over, we can venture out and catch fish through the ice. Fishing For All has partnered with many parks and rec departments across the metro to offer 2hr intro to ice fishing classes. We will show you how to use the equipment, find where the fish live in winter, and try to catch some fish. All equipment will be provided, minors must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up through our partner’s websites below:
Bloomington Parks and Rec – 10-12:00 & 1-3:00 @ Bush Lake: 2/22
City of Eagan – 2/21 1:00-3:00 @ Moonshine Park
Fishing and Ice Report
Metro Lake Ice Report — Twin Cities
As of FEB 18, 2026
- Ice is generally “midwinter solid” on most metro lakes, but quality matters more than total inches right now.
- With the current snow + near-freezing warm-up pattern, expect slush pockets, wet snow, and re-frozen layers—especially on larger basins and anywhere with current, springs, bridges, or culverts.
- Travel decisions should be conservative and verified as you go. Pressure cracks and seams can change fast.
What’s biting + how to approach February (metro pattern)
- Panfish (gills/crappies): February is often a finesse month. If shallow weeds are browning out, slide to the deep edge of remaining green weeds or adjacent basins and be ready for fish to suspend/roam.
- Presentation: Go smaller—tungsten + waxies/euros, tiny spoons, or a micro-plastic.
- If negative: Deadstick a small minnow head or full small minnow slightly off bottom.
- Northern pike: Still a strong metro play. Focus tip-ups/dead baits on weed edges, points into the basin, and travel corridors (inside turns, narrows on lakes without current).
- Best technique: In cold/flat conditions, a setline (tip-up) spread often out-produces aggressive jigging.
- Walleyes (where you’re targeting them): Expect classic bite windows (dawn/dusk) and lots of “lookers.” Downsizing and slowing down usually wins.
- Season note: In many Minnesota waters, walleye/sauger/northern pike seasons close Feb 22—verify the specific lake/river rules before you go.
Mississippi River — Twin Cities area (Pool 2/metro stretches)
- Reality check: February river ice + current is unpredictable. Even when backwaters lock up, main-channel edges, wing dams, bridges, and warm-water inflows can stay sketchy. Avoid “following tracks.”
- Safer approach: If you’re fishing close to the metro, open-water from shore where available (tailwaters/fast current seams) is often a better choice than committing to river ice.
If you’re willing to drive a bit (still Twin Cities doable)
- Option: Pool 4 (Red Wing area) is a common winter open-water play when the metro river is marginal.
- Open-water tactics: Vertical jig + plastics, hair jigs, or live bait presented slow on current seams and deeper holes—best in low light.
Driftless Trout Streams (SE Minnesota + western WI)
- SE Minnesota: Winter trout is a great open-water escape. Many Driftless streams run catch-and-release from Jan 1 into April (timing varies by designation).
- Wisconsin: Early inland trout catch-and-release on selected waters runs Jan 3 → Apr 3.
February trout notes
- Water: Expect low, clear water unless there’s a melt/rain bump.
- Safety: Watch for shelf ice and undercut edges (it collapses).
- Best bets: Small nymphs with longer leaders/tippets; and streamers when you want to cover water (white/olive/brown/black are reliable). Look for rising fish on warm/sunny days. Tiny black stoneflies and midges will be readily hatching.
Quick Metro-first takeaway for February
- Highest-probability plan: Target metro panfish + pike on established, well-traveled lakes, fish finer and slower, and treat warm/cold swings as a recipe for slush and pressure cracks even when total ice is thick.
Guide Tips: Streamside Gourmet
Guide Tips From the FFA Team
Pre-fab fishing meals that feel fancy (but aren’t fussy)
There are two kinds of hunger on the water: the quiet kind that makes you miss bites, and the loud kind that makes you accuse the river of being “fishless.” The cure isn’t a complicated shore lunch. It’s food you prep at home, toss in a bag, and turn into something borderline luxurious on the bank with minimal fuss.
The approach: 90% prep at home, 10% assemble streamside.
1) “Ramen Shop” Instant Ramen (Menma + Jammy Egg + Jerky “Chashu”)
Vibe: You just opened a tiny ramen bar on a gravel bank.
Pre-fab at home: Pack noodles + seasoning in one bag. Pack a toppings kit: menma (bamboo shoots), sliced jammy egg, jerky pieces, scallions, sesame, nori.
Streamside finish: Boil water, cook ramen, add toppings like you’re plating for judges.
Recipes/inspo: Instant ramen upgrades (The Woks of Life) • Menma bamboo shoots • Backpacking ramen approach
2) The “Ramen Bomb” (Cold-day comfort bowl)
Vibe: Looks questionable. Feels incredible. Pure energy.
Pre-fab at home: In a zip bag: crushed ramen + instant mashed potatoes + dehydrated veggies + jerky bits.
Streamside finish: Add boiling water, stir, wait a few minutes. Optional: chili crisp + sesame.
Recipe/inspo: Ramen bomb explainer + variations
3) Onigiri Rice Balls (Tuna Mayo / Spicy Tuna)
Vibe: The most satisfying fishing food ever invented.
Pre-fab at home: Make rice, season lightly, form rice balls. Fill with tuna mayo (or spicy tuna). Wrap with nori. Wrap each one tight (plastic wrap or parchment).
Streamside finish: Eat as-is, or warm on a small pan for crispy edges.
Recipes: Tuna mayo onigiri • Spicy tuna onigiri
4) Yaki Onigiri (Crispy seared rice balls) = Streamside “Chef Mode”
Vibe: Crunchy outside, savory inside, zero mess.
Pre-fab at home: Form rice balls (filled or plain), roll in sesame, lightly sear at home (or pack and sear streamside).
Streamside finish: Re-crisp on a pan; brush with soy sauce if you’re feeling fancy.
Recipe/inspo: Yaki onigiri method
5) Spam Musubi (Classic or teriyaki-glazed)
Vibe: Legendary, portable, salty-sweet perfection.
Pre-fab at home: Cook rice. Slice + sear Spam. Assemble with nori. Wrap tight and chill. Optional: furikake layer for extra magic.
Streamside finish: Eat cold, or warm briefly on foil near heat for “fresh-made” vibes.
Recipes: Musubi tutorial (Serious Eats) • Musubi variations (SPAM)
6) Thermos Pho Kit (Hot broth, separate noodles, assemble at the water)
Vibe: Restaurant soup… in waders.
Pre-fab at home: Heat broth until nearly boiling and pour into a pre-warmed thermos. Pack noodles + herbs + toppings separately (thin beef, cooked chicken, jalapeño, lime, cilantro, sprouts).
Streamside finish: Add noodles/toppings to a wide-mouth jar or bowl, pour hot broth over, wait a minute, inhale.
Recipe/inspo: Pho base inspiration • Thermos noodle soup technique
7) Cold-soak Couscous “Shore Mezze Bowl” (No stove needed)
Vibe: Bright, fresh, surprisingly filling.
Pre-fab at home: Dry jar: couscous + spices + dried tomatoes + salt. Separate bag: olives, chickpeas, cucumber, herbs (plus feta if keeping cold). Tiny container: olive oil + lemon.
Streamside finish: Add water to couscous, wait 30–45 minutes, mix everything, drizzle oil/lemon.
Recipes: Cold-soak couscous base • Cold-soaked couscous salad blueprint
8) Make-ahead Yakisoba Noodles (Warm, savory, camp-ready)
Vibe: Street food at a fishing access.
Pre-fab at home: Cook yakisoba + veg + protein; chill in a container with sauce on the side (better texture).
Streamside finish: Reheat in a pan or foil packet; top with scallions + sesame.
Recipe/inspo: Make-ahead yakisoba for camping
9) Foil-packet “Loaded Nachos” (No plate, no problem)
Vibe: The crowd-pleaser.
Pre-fab at home: Bag: chips + spice blend. Container: cooked taco meat or beans (or pulled chicken). Bag: shredded cheese + pickled jalapeños.
Streamside finish: Layer in foil, warm until melty, finish with salsa + lime.
10) “Snack Board” That Eats Like Dinner
Vibe: Feels fancy, takes zero cooking.
Pre-fab at home: Cheese cubes, salami/jerky, crackers, pickles/olives, grapes or apple slices, dark chocolate (for morale).
Streamside finish: Assemble on a flat rock like it’s a charcuterie board and you’re on vacation.
Quick safety + sanity notes
Anything with meat/eggs/dairy: keep it cold until eaten. Bring wipes, napkins, and a trash bag (pack it out every time). A wide-mouth thermos + one spork covers most of the menu.
Show us your bank-side feast!
If you make any of these, we want to see it. Snap a pic of your bankside ramen, musubi, or “rock charcuterie” and tag us on Instagram or Facebook, or reply to this email with your best bank-side meal photo. Bonus points for steam rising off the bowl and a rod leaning in the background.
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