FISHING -- Ice fishing is still good in areas of the Idaho Panhandle, "but you have to be a bit more careful to keep from going swimming, especially around the shoreline," said Jim Hayden of Idaho Fish and Game. The warming trend has made ice less safe in many areas. 

" Watch you don’t sneak out onto the ice, and not be able to sneak back off when it warms up later in the day," Hayden warned.

By the way, Idaho requires sportsmen to buy 2012 fishing and hunting licenses starting Jan. 1.

• In Washington, current licenses are valid through April 31.