By now on April 1 — no foolin' — barges and tugs should by plying the waters regularly until late November or early December, ...

The northern Mississippi River typically thaws at the end of March. This year, the last ice floated downstream at the end of February.

Over 2,000 fishermen on Lake Pepin had better than average luck with more than 50 fish registered during the first hour of the ice fishing contest sponsored by the Lake City Sportsmen Club.

Mar. 31—Dear Answer Man: In past winters we have always been updated on the amount of ice on Lake Pepin, but I didn't see that annual story this winter. Just wondering if the barges have been ...