This new year brings a welcome change for anyone buying a fishing license. The Pa. Fish Commission has announced that you can now purchase a license for a three or five year period.

This is great because it will give you one less thing to remember every year! Yes, the normal one year license is still available for those that don't like change or believe in predictions like the Mayan Calendar and stuff like that. I think this is a pretty darn good thing except that now, at my age, I only have one more year to go until I can purchase a Senior Lifetime License (65 or older). Studying the facts I find that, next year I can get a Senior Resident three year license for $31.70, five year for $51.70 or a Senior Resident "Lifetime" license for the $51.70. So, I had to ask myself, "Do you feel lucky"? Some quick checking of a celestial calendar shows all my lucky stars are aligned so yep I feel lucky! So it's one more single year for me then the big one. You can get all the details and license fee information at this link: http://fishandboat.com/newsreleases/2012press/Multi-LicHandout.pdf  

Another interesting little piece of information was also found while surfing around the Fish Commission web site. They have put together a list of lakes that are proven to be the best for different species of fish. The bodies of water listed are based  on Biologists reports and other research they have done. Below you have two links. The first one will give you the details of the program and the second one will show the fish species and bodies of water for the best fishing.  

PROGRAM INFORMATION: http://fishandboat.com/newsreleases/2012press/best-fishing-waters.htm  

FISH SPECIES AND LOCATIONS: 

http://fishandboat.com/pabestfishing.htm

This is the time of year we find many excuses not to go fishing.The fish themselves are also slowed down to the point of being referred to as dormant. Actually the fish are still there and also a bit active. They are slowly getting ready for what is to come. We should also be in that preparation stage. Take advantage of those winter days when the wind is blowing, the snow drifting and being outside is the last thing on your mind. There are preparations that we can take at this time to ensure the first outting will go smooth.

Straighten up your tackle box. I bet the last time you were out fishing your tackle box was closed while in complete disarray. Clear that kitchen table, workbench or make a spot on the floor. Take everything out and reorganize! Remove the dried worms from the hooks, untangle the spinnerbaits, get rid of the rubber worms and other creatures that are not in a sealed package. Perhaps remove and put aside some of the lures or tackle that you carried around for the last five years but never got wet. Heck, you may even end up with a little room for some new stuff. Clean the compartments, sharpen the hooks and rearrange your loose split shot, bobbers and hooks.

For now, at least, that is all most of us can do. I'm anixous for some local ice fishing but so far the weather is not helping that wish. A quick check of some forums up in the Poconos tells me that some folks are on the ice in various lakes. Right now I just don't feel like driving that far. I still have hope for cold weather to move into our neck of the woods.Anyway, if your not planning any ice fishing in the near future ya might as well get ready for the soft water that is a few months away!

As always.... Thanks for reading "Fishing Fever" and Happy New Year !