Ron Schara's Minnesota Fishing Guide

This is a good book, and I recommend it for people who like to do freshwater fishing in northern half of U.S.A (and not just for Minnesota). This book is quite well written. The author grouped topics into managable and easy-to-read sections. I find this book is quite interesting and doesn't take long to finish reading despite the fact that the book is actually not thin. I also find that the book is quite well polished with high quality paper, and good color pictures in evey page. And many interesting side bars evey other page. This book is mainly organized by the types of game fish. For examples, there is one chapter about the tools and techniques of fishing for walleyes, another chapter about the tools and techniques of fishing for large mouth bass ...etc. Each chapter talks about how the weather affects that specific type of game fish, and where we should look for the fish in what time of year, the rods/lines/rigs to fish for the specific type of game fish. The bottom line is that I find this book really easy to read and seem to have a lot of useful info. However, I haven't been in Minnesota yet (still planning for a trip to that state). I will see how useful that book really is in term of catching fishes when I am done with the trip. Jay Chan

Here I sit, fall fishing in full bloom as I look out at Lake Koronis, a 3014-acre lake in Stearns County in Western Minnesota. I am lucky to share this lake with hundreds of other cabin owners. I really should be out floating in the warm October sun, angling for walleyes and listening to great music, all the while reading a good novel. I'll finish this review and go "wet a line" later. Ron Schara and his black lab, Raven, are hosts of Minnesota Bound television show. Although the book is a Minnesota Fishing Guide (with almost 50 pages that list Minnesota lakes, their size, depth and kind of fish), the rest of the book is pure advice, how to and resources. It also contains awesome "see what I caught" photos so you can see each kind of fish he describes. Whatchacatchin' section gives details about what lures to use when (season and weather), how to catch (depth and jigging action) and understanding terrain. It also covers: - Panfish such as sunnies, crappies and perch that are ideal start-up fish for kids, often caught off a dock. - Walleyes that are fun to catch (and try to outsmart) and more fun to eat, whether sitting on a rock eating shore lunch or at home. - Trout, caught in lakes and streams cook up real nice. - Large and smallmouth bass, always fun to land as they put up a great fight. - Northern (Pike), a.k.a. snakes, tasty but also most fun to try to land. - What many a Minnesotan calls rough fish: catfish, bullheads, carp and others. The photos will make you want to grab that trusty rod and head for the lake. Reading this in winter could make you start x-ing out the days until the next fishing opener, and in Minnesota, that is always the second Sunday in May, come sun or snow, the diehard fisherpeople will be out there. Armchair Interviews says: If you are a fishing veteran or going out for the first time, Schara's advice is invaluable--because it is called fishing--not "catching." You can always learn just one more trick to bring home more than a "fish story" about the one that got away.

Ron Schara's Minnesota Fishing Guide is the ideal angler's guide to all of the best fishing Minnesota's lakes, rivers, streams and ponds have to offer. Compiled by expert fisherman Ron Schara (who can be seen on "Backroads with Ron and Raven" over the ESPN2 television channel, and on "Minnesota Bound" over KARE 11) this superbly organized and thoroughly "user friendly" 276-page guidebook will prove to be an indispensable planning guide for anyone wanting to enjoy casting for fish against the outdoor wonders that Minnesota has to offer. Schara begins with present the basis that range from equipment, to the weather, to lures, "catch and release", trip planning essentials, fishing with kids, and even "Where Anglers Gather". Then he proceeds with chapters devoted to panfish, walleye, trout, largemouth and small mouth bass, muskie and northern, catfish, carp, and more. Enhanced with DNR Charts, an Index, as well as "Fish Stories", Ron Schara's Minnesota Fishing Guide is enthusiastically recommended for the novice, and holds much of valued interest for even the seasoned angler.

Easy to read. Great information about all differant kinds of fish. Gives outstanding guidelines for all lakes in Minnesota.