I mentioned that both Moses Lake and Potholes Reservoir are ice free, but the Quincy lakes are still covered with ice. I checked in with Keith Roe at North 40 Outfitters in Omak to see if there was any open water up there. People are still fishing through the ice on most of the lakes up north, according to Roe. Lakes like Palmer, near Tonasket, Patterson, near Winthrop, and Curlew, near Republic are still attracting people with ice augers and catching fish by drilling holes in the ice. There are a good number of folks heading for Rufus Woods. The size of the recent plant of triploids by the Colville Tribe surprised people with the size of the fish. It appears that the release of over 15,000 fish was comprised of trout weighing up to two and a half pounds, which is much larger than expected. There are still trout of much heftier weights being caught, too, and the walleye fishing has been very good on Rufus this late winter. Also, it is getting close to the time to renew fishing licenses and permits—both state and tribal. Tribal licenses and permits are available only on-line, through the Tribal Fish and Wildlife website.