Twin Cities Drake Canvasback in Fall

Canvasback Ducks can be Found in the Minneapolis St Paul Metro

During fall they are not as hard to find as you may think.

To me Canvasbacks are ducks of Western Minnesota and west. But they can be found  in the Twin Cities metro during Fall. The canvasback just may be my favorite duck! Canvasbacks are beautiful, they’re active and they will come within photography range. There’s no real trick to finding them nor is there a trick to get them to come close to shore. Canvasback Ducks are diving ducks and they love to eat aquatic beasts with snails being a favorite. Cans, as I refer to them, search for food most of the day. As divers they do just that, dive down to catch food. I find them locally during fall in lakes that have a good population of snails. Canvasbacks offer action, diving and popping up, flapping and interacting with one another. This is enjoyable to watch and photograph.

I’ve witnessed canvasbacks resting on or hunting local waters in pairs and in large groups. They are easy to scan for with your eyes and glass because of their size and head shape. Places to find them include the Minneapolis City Lakes, Lake Phalen in St Paul, Vadnais Lake, Owasso Lake, Rice Lake, the Minnesota River and of course the Mississippi River. If you travel west of the Twin Cities there are all kinds of lakes that have canvasback ducks in them during fall. I’ve seen them in smaller ponds while driving too. One last thing, I see canvasbacks in large groups of other ducks, especially ringbills and goldeneye.

Now the get close enough to photograph them comes part. I find it easier to get closer to canvasbacks locally for a few reasons. Hunting. In the metro area these birds are not as wary of hunters and for many of these ducks they stick around for a few weeks. I find the longer they have been around the metro the less likely to be afraid of the shoreline.  Just by watching them dive you can be assured there’s food in the area and many times that food is close to  shore. If you are walking an area you see canvasbacks hunting near shore find a spot to lay on the ground near that area. Nevermind that they move out from the area, they will most likely return, all you have to do is wait them out. It helps to wear camo or natural colors. You may need to wear raingear which luckily comes in greens and darker colors that allow you to be more discreet. As I mentioned in an earlier article something to rest your camera on helps you protect your gear.

These are the basics if you want to add canvasbacks to your collection of bird images or sightings list. Now go out and find them.

Twin Cities Canvasbacks

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By Pete Riola

I own many fishing rods. Probably over 30 with most being spinning rods.  If I could only use one fishing rod the rest of my life it would undoubtably be my 7′ ML Extra-fast action Predator, a creation of Lonnie Murphy at Thorne Bros. This rod, in the simplest word: fantastic. Fantastic in terms of sensitivity, speed, cast ability and weight. The rod is rated for 4-10 pound line and 1/8-3/8oz lures.  With this rod I’ve fished plenty of 1/16 ounce jigs plus weightless sinking worms and swim baits too. And it’s tough enough to deal with the occasional over-sized fish. I’ve hooked and landed many fish over 15 pounds with this rod so I can attest to that. Though my Predator is a super-fast ML it has power when you need it. Did I mention the rod is just plain more fun to fish! It’s not that my other rod selections aren’t in the boat, it’s just I’m picking my top jig rod in this article.

Being a jig fisherman at heart I truly believe this Predator fishing rod has helped me detect more bites and get hooksets that keep fish pinned with a mere flick of the wrist. In addition to the speed in the blank the sensitivity is outstanding. The Predator is mostly a jig rod for bass and walleyes but it can double as a panfish rod too. In addition to jigging you can fish sinking worms and swim baits or cast weightless plastics with wide gap 4/0 hooks.

This rod is made with a St Croix SCV blank and I let Lonnie pick the guides. I’m old, I still prefer a Tennessee Handle. For some reason I think I get better feel with the Tennessee handle. If I were to pick a different grip I’d go for the hidden hood. They’re sweet.

My Predator rod is super-fast and sensitive allowing me to detect the most subtle bites.

This rod makes me a better jig fisherman.

This is the Predator 7′ ML Extra Fast vs 40 inch pike.

In the video below I’m using my Predator to fish walleyes. I’m posting this video so you can see the speed of this rod. In particular the hookest on the second walleye is just a quick flick of the wrist.

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Travel: Mount Blue Sky aka Mount Evans Day Trip

I love high altitude! And Mount Evans now known as Mount Blue Sky to date is my favorite high mountain destination. I’ve traveled to the summit a few times and each time I have found that drive to be more than enjoyable for many reasons. First of all it’s close…as long as close is a 16 hour drive to the base from your house. Mount Evans provides the beauty of nature, fishing, hiking and wildlife.

For many the need to get there before sunrise is of the utmost importance. You can watch the sunrise at 14,130 feet, but even sleeping in and arriving mid-morning can be splendid timing. That’s what we did a few times and we were not disappointed! Do keep in mind that it’s not unusual to get passing day time rain and storms on this mountain. As a general rule the rains are in the afternoon. It’s colder up there. Bring a jacket and good footwear.

Traveling from Denver it’s about 60 miles. From Idaho Springs, it’s an easy drive.

There are fees involved. Make sure you know what the scoop is.

The mountain road closes for winter depending on the conditions. Typically closed from mid-October thru some time in May.

The drive to the top can take a few hours if you stop to fish, gaze or hike or you can get to the top first and work your way back down to enjoy the hiking, fishing and viewing.

As a family of sightseers, hikers and anglers we couldn’t resist stopping at numerous turn outs and likely fishing spots on the way up to the summit. Of course we mixed in a hike.

Each time on the way up we caught fish, rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. Fishing was decent. The spots were awesome. The views just magnificent. Sight fishing the numerous lakes produced 1 big rainbow, over 20 inches and many 15-17 inch cutthroat trout. You can fish almost any lake up to the summit and have a blast with spinning or fly gear.

There’s a great place for a family hike on the way to the summit at Summit Lake Park. The place is busy but you can take a leisurely hike with children to stretch the legs and this spot has facilities.

You can take forever to get to the top by stopping at the many turn outs on the road up. Stop at some. But the summit offers the best wildlife in my humble opinion. Each time I have visited the summit mountain goats, pika, ptarmigan, American pipit and marmots were observed. There’s even a shot at bighorn sheep. There are facilities at the top.

Mount Blue Sky is close to Denver, Expect a crowd. Although if you go early the crowds are less. At this point it’s probably best to make a reservation for your visit.

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Should the DNR manage more catch and release lakes? Particularly small lakes? A few lakes less than 500 acres? How about a limited harvest? A program that would protect large panfish? The idea would be to have more and bigger fish in a lake with particular attention to panfish and pike. Here in Minnesota we are short of big pike and big sunfish. If the word gets out on your small lakes great sunfish bite look out because your favorite small lake is about to get decimated by anglers seeking dinner. If it happens during winter a town of anglers will live right above a wintering school and lambaste the fish population. This lake will not recover easily.

Small lakes can get fished out. I know of some and I bet you do too. By fished out I mean the nice fish have literally been “fished out” caught, cleaned and eaten. I know a formerly excellent walleye lake that no longer harbors a fishable population of walleye. I also know a formerly great bluegill lake that only inhabits runts. A few years back that lake gave up 9-10-inch bluegills with regularity. Today you’d be catching an incredible number of 4 and 5 inch fish and that’s the way it’s been for 10 plus years. The problem is when the word gets out on the bite anglers box up dinner left and right and soon that fishery is washed up, done caput. This is depressing news for a guy who likes to eat fish but likes catching them even more. To date neither of these lakes have rebounded and they probably won’t.

Big pike, a thing of the past. I can only assume that in the last decade or so big pike over 35 inches have been commonly consumed by anglers virtually eliminating them from Minnesota waters with the exception being the Canadian Shield Lakes along the Minnesota Ontario border, Mille Lacs Lake and Red Lake. Once upon a time when fishing muskie in the metro area it was common to nab pike over 35 inches. Not any more. Ron Schara said it in the Star Trib…”where did all the big pike go?”

It’s my opinion that if we designate some lakes as recreational fishing lakes these lakes will ultimately be better angling opportunities. You’d need to rate a lake by its habitat and fish population to manage specific trophy/action lakes for specific species. Take a good lake for a particular species and make it better would be the idea. Since no fish or few fish get taken by anglers it just makes sense to me that there will be more fish to catch and that these fish would potentially be larger fish. If allowed, natural circumstances would dictate the survival of fish. The lake would have nice size fish in good numbers in relation to the habitat for a particular species. That is to say if the lake has good bluegill habitat and predation by large pike, large bass or muskie (it’s somewhat a fine line and not too many of these top predators) that lake would have a good number of bigger panfish. I’m talking the ultimate lake managed to be a big fish lake and in decent numbers in relation to what that lake can sustain. You’d need to start with a healthy lake to apply the catch and release or limited harvest program. A lake, that when measured by the DNR makes sense to be a fishery capable of sustaining itself as a big-fish-many-fish lake.

Allow me to inject a couple of examples.

Lake X a 450 acre lake in Northern Minnesota is a no motor lake allowing only specific fish, in limited numbers, to be harvested. This lake is an awesome fishery because of this: Canoes and rowboats require a certain physicality and expertise only had by few anglers. Combine that with a lengthy travel time from the Twin Cities and you have an awesome fishery because of limited pressure and restricted harvest.

Example 2 is a Twin Cities lake that allows no harvest of largemouth bass. The fishing for largemouth bass has gone from poor to outstanding in only 10 years. I often fish this lake with my kids because success is darn near guaranteed. The only downside of this 400-acre lake is on weekends it’s full of recreational boaters limiting fishing opportunities to early morning. If this lake were located in a more rural area it would be a dynamite attraction for that community too.

Example 3 is the muskie catch and release etiquette. I would guess 98-99% of all muskie caught in Minnesota are released. Most will agree that muskie fishing in Minnesota is the best it’s been in 40 years or more. The reason why is catch and release works.

We have 10,000 plus lakes here in Minnesota I don’t see a problem with making the small lakes more of a recreational fishing opportunity. Isn’t it more fun to catch fish than eat them? Don’t we all think that private lakes, lakes with no public access often provide better fishing? And the reason is because of a more limited harvest?  Do the people who live on these lakes want quality recreational fishing more than fish from “their lake” for dinner? I’ll bet they do. The couple of times I’ve had the pleasure to fish a “private lake” we caught fish, big fish and many fish most of the time. If you had a private lake in your back yard would you eat the biggest fish you catch or even any fish? Would you invite friends to keep fish for dinner from your private lake?

So to answer my own question I’m saying limit harvest on lakes smaller than 500 acres.

My example:

Crappie-5- less than 12 inches

Sunfish- 5- less than 9 inches

Rock Bass-5

Walleye- 2

SM/LM Bass- None, These fish are toys for anglers.

Pike- 2- less than 32 inches

Muskie – None

Rough Fish- All you want to take.

Am I crazy? You tell me?

This article has been republished from 2010 with edits but I still feel it’s a valid conversation in todays world.

No Winter: Good For Wildlife?

A good majority of Minnesotans have enjoyed the winter of 23/24. Lack of snow and extended freezing cold weather are the main reason. I know some folks need the snow and cold for a mulitude of reasons and in my younger days I completely enjoyed cold and snow…but not as much anymore. But for the most part our wildlife got a repreive from winters wrath too.

I know cold and snow has many benefits but I think our wildlife is in a healthier place because of a lack of cold and snow. Food is readily available. Meaning a better winter survival rate for most beasts. And for anglers the fishing prospects are better this spring and summer with less winter kill and less fishing pressure.

Personally I have seen more wildlife this winter because of the lack of cold and snow. It’s been easier to get out into the wild. And since it’s been easier to go birding more folks have posted more sightings. This of course is a double-edged sword but for the most part birders like to share what they saw and most are respectful of nature.

My backyard has seen far more activity this winter. My feeders have been very busy. It’s my opinion that bird feeders are always busy in winter…especially cold and snowy winters but when I compare my memory to what I’m witnessing now I do believe that more birds and animals are visiting my yard this winter. My guess is it’s just easier for the animals to seek out food. And I’m sure that lack of deep snow cover makes it easier to see beasts.

This winter, in my backyard, I have consistently viewed barred owls, pheasants and deer in addition to the cardinals, woodpeckers, juncos, chickadees and blue jays. I hear or see coyotes almost every day. And lets not forget the squirrels and chipmunks. I’m sure because these rodents are more active so are the barred owls.

It will be interesting to see what happens to my backyard activity if we get a foot of snow next week. My guess is it will slow down wildlife activity. Birds and animals will hunker down and wait for kinder conditions to resume a heavier level of activity.

My feeders will be full!

A FEW TIPS AND OBSERVATIONS.

Whether you are a birder, nature aficionado or nature photographer springtime in the Twin Cities Metro Area brings a captivating season, unveiling a breathtaking array of unique waterfowl waiting to be discovered. Embrace the beauty of the Twin Cities Metro Area and immerse yourself in the wonder of spring, as you uncover the hidden treasures of our migrating waterfowl.

I love to find new areas to find waterfowl searching out remote parts of the metro in search of these birds and better yet find them in areas that offer good photography opportunities. That said I have honey holes that I go back to each spring too. One thing I know in years and years of waterfowl photography is these birds will frequent different and odd areas of water year to year.

In addition to the obvious areas…lakes, down by the river (ha ha), nature areas and parks I have found many northern species in small neighborhood ponds (I have found shovelers, mergansers, teal, wood ducks, scaup and wigeons in small ponds) and drainage areas in spring. So don’t over look these. Map them out in your mind or look at a maps app to find areas where there is more abundant open water.

In reference to photography when I find these birds I typically look for how close to shore they are. I like active birds they are less distracted by my presence. Additionally I try to see the place in that area that offers access in relation to the where the sun is or will be and what the background will look like.

Be sneaky when approaching the birds. In most instances I have mostly waterproof camo on or waders or both and I’m prepared to be prone on the ground with my gear.

Butt Cushion aka Camera Stand

There are many types of camera stands but I tend to use either a tripod with a Wimberly or one of those cushy butt cushions. Butt cushions can be found in most outdoor related stores like Fleet Farm. I position the camera on the cushion….not my butt! It’s easy to maneuver and it keeps the camera low so I get the best possible image results. Plus it’s lightweight and mostly waterproof. I use the butt cushion more than the tripod because I can be more stealth and it’s super lightweight. If I’m in the water of course I use the tripod.

What kinds of waterfowl migrate thru the Twin Cities in Spring?

Species include: red breasted mergansers, hooded mergansers, loons, pie billed, red-necked, western and eared grebes.  Ducks include northern shoveler, American wigeon, redhead ducks, scaup, canvasback, bufflehead, goldeneye, long tail and even scoter. Of course I find wood ducks, teal and mallards too. You can also find an array of wading birds including, herons, egrets, yellowlegs, sandpipers, killdeer and the occasional plover.

If you love birds now is the time to get out there. Don’t forget your butt cushion! Want more? Feel free to contact me.