Remember to get new fishing license

It's early March when it's not really winter and but also not quite spring. For me, it's my favorite time of the year to go ice fishing.

When ice fishing this time of the year, anglers have to be careful to make sure the first step onto the ice isn't a wet one. The north shore of lakes, with their south exposure to the sun, is usually the first place to find thin ice.

That was the case Monday when I took Sarah, my 4-year-old-granddaughter, to the lake. The ice along shore was melting, but once you were on the ice, there was a good solid 10 to 12 inches of ice.

Late-winter anglers also have to be cautious near any narrows between lake basins where a slight current may erode ice from the bottom.

Spring ice fishing is enjoyable because it's usually warm enough to sit comfortably on your bucket or chair and enjoy the outdoors, even if the fish don't bite. It's always nice to see our geese arriving back, pairing up and circling around lakes, checking out nesting sites.

Many bald eagles have returned to the North Country. They tend to hang around open water looking for a fish dinner. But most of their spring diet probably consists of road-killed deer.

My wife sort of spoiled our fishing trip on Monday. As we approached our fishing hole, she said, "Do you need a new license on the first of March or first of April?"

Unfortunately I knew the answer. This was the 6th of March and I only had last year's license in my pocket. So we were able to put only one pole in the water, the pole for our granddaughter. Resident kids 11 and under don't need a fishing license.

The fish weren't biting, so our fishing trip became a play trip for Sarah. She found the few inches of open water along the shoreline to be irresistible. She had to splash in the shallow water and break the thin ice with rocks. Kids can always find a way to have fun in the outdoors.

So if you haven't purchased your new licenses, immediately head to your favorite sporting goods store to buy one. Don't wait until you're ready to go fishing or you may forget.

If you are a middle-aged person like myself - over 62 years old and a Montana state resident - all you need is an $8 conservation license and no other license to fish. Your conservation license is your ticket to fish free. That's a great deal for seniors.

Younger fishermen, age 15-61, will need to buy an $8 conservation license plus pay an additional $18 for a fishing license.

Older hunters, 62 and older, will be pleasantly surprised to find that 2006 deer and elk licenses are $2 cheaper than last year. With the new lower-cost licenses for deer and elk, our wives will probably insist we use that savings to buy a new rifle or other hunting gear.

Here are two gatherings of interest to hunters and anglers.

Tonight, the Bureau of Land Management will host a public meeting at the WestCoast Outlaw Hotel. The topic will be the new Upper Missouri River National Monument management plan.

The monument includes 375,000 acres of public land along the Missouri River between the Charlie Russell Wildlife Refuge and Fort Benton. It is a wild and pristine area of rugged, scenic river breaks that remains much like it was 200 years ago when Lewis and Clark made their epic journey through the West.

The program starts at 6 p.m. with an overview of the area and a brief review of the management options. Then the public will have a chance to provide either written or oral comments about future management of this great hunting, hiking or river-float country.

Then the Great Rockies Sport Show will be held at the Majestic Valley Arena Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is a fun place get information on fishing, hunting and camping.

Enjoy the great out-of-doors this weekend.