The day Genz and I were on the ice, we didn't stay in that spot where all those holes were, even though the reports were success stories. Instead, we headed to another spot that hadn't been touched that resembled the depth and cover found at our first location. Genz drilled a dozen holes with a Lazer auger and checked each with his sonar. He slid a portable shelter up to one hole and told me to start jigging. He drilled another eight holes. In 15 minutes, there were two shelters sitting on the ice and both of us were hooking into some nice crappies. I asked Dave how he knew this spot would be productive. "I'm psychic," he laughed heartily.

Let's hope your premonitions lead you to some great ice-fishing holes this winter. Here are a few favorite fishing spots that should get your clairvoyant juices flowing.

Red Lake
The crappie fishing on this big lake near Waskish might be slowing down from what it was a few years ago, but there are still some big fish to be found of that species.

What has really been a big draw is the walleye fishing. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources put in place a walleye-stocking program some years ago when the walleye levels took a precipitous drop. The result is extraordinary walleye fishing today.

According to Pat Foster, a guide who also owns a rental service for stationary fish shacks, the hottest ice in Minnesota is on Red Lake.

"If you want action, this is the place to be," Foster said. "You may not get to keep many (fish) because the limits are tight, but there are plenty of 'eaters' caught, so it's always worth a few days on this lake."

Because the bottom of Red Lake is scant on structure, Foster said, he holds some tricks up his sleeve when it comes to finding the walleyes and crappies.

"It's all about the ice and how it forms up. Certain ice conditions pull in the baitfish, and this brings in the walleyes and crappies," he revealed, without giving up the whole secret.

For more information about walleye fishing on Red Lake, check out Foster's Web site at www.clubred.firebin.net.

Lake of the Woods
Last season when the ice was thick enough to drive ATVs and snowmobiles out on it, Lake of the Woods in far north Minnesota started producing great fishing and just kept getting better with no slowdown until the ice was gone. Walleyes, saugers and even some giant perch were caught by anglers heading out onto the vast basin, but it was the anglers that made the trip up to the Northwest Angle that found the huge perch.

"Those rockpiles around 'The Angle' do have some big perch on them," said Gregg Hennum of Sportsman's Lodge. "There's not a ton of them, but if you find them, they'll be huge."

The forecast is for another awesome ice-fishing season on Lake of the Woods. Plan on going up there. The Sportsman's Lodge Web site is www.sportsmanslodgelow.com.

Gull Lake
After Adam Johnson witnessed the Brainerd Jaycees Fishing Extravaganza on Hole in the Bay Day on Gull Lake, he became duly impressed by the ability of this lake to crank out walleyes, pike, perch and even tullibees. Some fish came from water more than 40 feet deep, and fish were being caught by anglers in the middle of the pack by the end of the event, which meant they were dodging plenty of lures to get to the one they wanted.

"It just goes to show what a productive lake Gull is when it can crank out fish like this with that much pressure," said the popular radio and television host of "Adam Johnson Outdoors" and Outdoor Talk Radio. "This lake is right in my back yard, and I seldom fished it until I saw what I was missing."