Erik Osberg of Otter Tail Country talks soft water fishing...ALREADY! Actually, more soft water exploration. We recap the ice season that wasn't, preview soft water season, talk a little eelpout and, as always, crank out a Fast Five.

Brady Laudon of Visit Bemidji & Brady Laudon's Fishing Guide Service was in to tell tales of his many travels this winter including a recent fishing jaunt in Mexico. Brady's got stories plus a preview of his NEXT trip and a little ice fishing talk too.

Tony Roach is back...fresh off his winter getaway to Belize and before his weekend at the Northwest Sports Show. He tells us all about the amazing angling and snorkeling in Belize, along with a recap of a strong hardwater bite (despite the weird ice). Plus, we get his take on the new catch and release walleye reg on Mille Lacs.

Jason R & Jason D are back. They stopped by the station to talk eelpout. They had a lot to say. We ended up on several other topics and they participated in an anything but Fast Five. Call it "Five Debates". It's an awesome conversation on the latest Paul Bunyan Country Outdoors.

Will Pappenfus had an awesome rookies season on the National Walleye Tour. We check in as he gets ready for his Sophomore season. Plus an update from the Mississippi (where he was fishing at the time), the best ice spots in PBC and a Fast Five, of course.

The ice remains decent in the northern edges of Paul Bunyan Country. Red Lake remains a strong spot to catch crappies and Lake of the Woods is one place where you can still get walleyes. Carl Adams of Timberline Sports has all the details on late season ice angling and a preview of what may happen this spring.

We check back in with John Hoyer to find out all the hunting and fishing (hardwater or otherwise) John Hoyer has been up to. We also preview the upcoming National Walleye Tour season as John (or as Kev calls him "The New England Patriots of walleye fishing") attempts to become a four time (and three time defending) champion.

We talked to Mandy Uhrich right before the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza to get great ice fishing info for our Extravaganza show. The info still works and we talked about a ton of other great stuff too, so take notes for some late season ice fishing success.

The ice is a big question mark throughout Paul Bunyan Country and Brainerd Lakes is no exception. Nate Blasing checked in prior to the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza but his thoughts still hold. We cover it all including another Fast Five.

Bro Brosdahl was in to talk Brainerd Lakes Ice Fishing Extravaganza last week, but there was a ton of other hardwater talk as well. Plus, a Fast Five and a shopping list.

DNR Fisheries Specialist Storm Kettlehut out of the Glendwood Area Office is back and this time he's talking all things tech. The DNR has started a technology work group to determine the effects (good or bad) that technology is having on fishing and fish health. Social media, live scope, mapping...it's all being looked at and discussed in today's show. And yes, we do dive in to barotrauma.

The heat is back and so are the tenuous ice conditions. But, the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza will go on. But, they've gone hybrid and the app is back. Tourney Chair Katherine Thoennes has all the details on what you need to know before next Saturday.

The Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic is coming. There's a bigger prize, a slight adjustment to the bag limit, and a tweak to when you can register. If you were in last year's tourney, set your calendar alarm for 8am February 1st! We talk about it all with the Tourney Chair Phil Hodapp

It was looking pretty dicey a few weeks ago, but now thanks to the coooold temps, it's looking pretty icey. The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is set for February 3rd and there's no one loving these temps more than Tourney Chair Katherine Thoennes and the Jaycees. She has all the details on this year's event on today's show.

Chuck Hasse of Leech Lake Fish House Rental checks in, frozen beard and all, as he hauls houses on to the lake for another weekend of ice fishing. He talks ice thickness, how the bite is going, his predictions for the 2024 softwater season, what to use your Christmas money for and of course a Fast Five.

Steve Scepaniak LOOOOOVES Muskie Fishing...But he's also pretty happy about the thick ice and good bites he's finding on Mille Lacs and other area hardwater spots.

We check in with Bassmaster Classic Champion Jeff Gustafson. Gussy is getting ready to head south, start the new season and defend his title. But for now, he's up in Ontario Sunset Country ice fishing. We get the details on all of it, along with a Fast Five, on the latest PBCO Podcast.

Matt checks in to talk ice fishing (now that we can do it in many more places). Plus, we talk about one of his favorite fish to catch...Eelpout. He also recaps his hunting seasons, discusses what's happening in the woods now, gives his take on wolves and works his way through another Fast Five.

Scott Mackenthun talks patience as he and his fellow southern Minnesotans wait for ice. He previews what he expects once the ice is safe, talks a little Eel Pout, recaps his hunting seasons and discusses the first several months of two line fishing in the Minnesota River. Plus, a Fast Five, of course.

It's a battle to find ice this year. But Joel Nelson has found some, and he's caught some fish. We talk weird weather and the frustrations of not having winter when we're supposed to. Plus a Fast Five, How to Spend your Christmas money and how softwater season is looking.

Tony Roach has been finding places to ice fish, but it's not easy. You need to know the lakes, take the time to check it out and measure, measure, measure. He talks about how to be safe, what they're biting on, and what it's going to take before he feels safe taking vehicles and fish houses out.

Erik Osberg has all the details on what's happening in Ottertail country. He discusses the ice status, what's happening where there IS ice, what you should use your Christmas money on and cruises through a holiday themed Fast Five.

Bruce Explains It All. With the ice situation d(ice)y, Bruce talks about the success he's had when he has found safe ice. In addition we discuss dealing with weird weather, how to spend your Christmas money, a Holiday themed Fast Five and the "joys" of reffing. Check out all the nonsense on the latest PBCO Podcast.

Jason and Kev lament the lack of ice and the challenges of getting some fish on. Plus, Jason discusses what you should spend your Christmas money on...and a sordid truth is revealed in the Fast Five!

The bite on Red is STRONG and the ice is good. But as Carl notes, you need to be aware of where you are and what is going on around you. Plus, we discuss the hunting season and get ready for January and beyond fishing. PLUS, a Holiday Fast Five.