Rock Bass, the Rodney Dangerfield of panfish.

A lot of people don't keep them in Minnesota, but they are hearty fighters, get to be about the same size as crappies (only thicker), and are aggressive feeders.

Usually in deeper water than sunfish, but do relate to weed edges and rocks.

They don't get the respect for being as tasty as sunfish or crappies, but honestly, they are very hard to tell apart in the frying pan.

Crawlers or minnows are your best bet for bait, but they will also hit crankbaits and plastics too.

I have had great success with the uni to uni knot.

I have not tried the Alberto, but may.

Hello everyone. I am from SE Minnesota. I see many on here are from the south or have experience with saltwater. I fish almost exclusively freshwater in the Midwest and Canada, with the Mississippi River (particularly pools 4, 5, and 5A) being my "home" water.

My kids are adults now, but am still fortunate to fish with them regularly (a different appreciation taking your sons fishing as adults than when they were boys - even more special some days as you know they are doing it by choice). I am still working, but am fortunate to likely fish close to 90 days per year. I am nearing retirement, and hope that number goes up. I have many close fishing buddies (and my brothers too), and do prefer to fish with a companion, but enjoy fishing solo as well.

Fishing is my primary hobby (I also hunt), with walleyes being my favorite, but I also fish for crappies, bass, perch, pike and sunfish . . . I will fish for anything. I release most fish, but do absolutely enjoy eating fish too.

I look forward to hearing your ideas and picking your brains!

Rock Hound (yes, there is a fishing story behind that nickname, and it involves me & two buddies, my boat, and the Canadian Shield - about 8 inches under water at about 40 MPH! . . . no one got hurt, and boat was OK)

The rubber latex gloves do work very well (the blue "Milk House" gloves are a bit thicker than your general latex glove). Many people here in Minnesota wear them ice fishing. It gives you about 95% the dexterity of bare hands. It keeps the hands dry and prevents from "wind chill".

You can also use wool gloves that allow for the finger tips to be exposed.

If you do use the hand warmers (hot hands) - the suggestion to put them on the back of the hand is spot on (my hunting gloves actually have a pocket on the top of the hand just for this).

I don't think Mille Lacs has been very consistent lately on the ice.

I have not personally been there this winter though, and don't mean to be pessimistic, but have not heard good reports from it this winter.