The author reflects on the promise of better fishing in Minnesota in April, with the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as ice disappears from shorelines and opens up for the first time in the region. The author notes that as open water returns, lake trout rise from their deep winter haunts and can be caught with light tackle, fished shallow. The Mississippi River anglers have been fishing for walleyes for a month and the upcoming catch-and-keep stream trout season will open soon. However, the unpredictable nature of these waters can lead to unpredictable conditions, including snow, toppled trees, and unpredictable weather. Despite these challenges, the author finds comfort in the area, with no bugs or people present during this period.