Ice fishing can help fill slack time during a long, cold Upper Peninsula winter, but it’s just not the same as open-water fishing for many of us. Open-water fishing has the obvious advantages of being done in warmer temperatures, without snow on the ground (usually), and without having to wear several layers of clothes and large, bulky boots. And while a comfortable, toasty ice shack can make ice fishing a relaxing affair, it’s just not the same as strolling along a meandering trout stream or sitting back in a boat trolling or jigging for whatever finned game the lake you’re fishing on holds. There is something that occurs each winter about this time, though, that allows me to drift off in thought to a favorite trout stream for a while. This occurrence is release of the Master Angler Award lists from the previous year. This year’s lists were posted recently on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment Web site.