The regulations, they are a-changin' ....

Starting March 1, on the Rainy River and Fourmile Bay of Lake of the Woods, a catch-and-release season will be in effect until April 14. This will discourage some anglers from making the long trek north. But despite the new regs, my annual Rainy River spring walleye trip will continue as planned.

Two things draw me north. One is just to get the boat in the water. In the dead of winter, I catch myself staring out my kitchen window at my Lund. It stares back, unimpressed. I'm positive it's not excited about being buried in the snow, full of picnic tables...