While some choose to stay inside during this month’s record-setting cold weather, others have taken advantage of the thick ice that resulted. “People don’t want to be cooped up inside,” reasoned local fisherman Jack Carson. He noted seeing more enthusiasts outdoors this winter. The veteran angler attributes the influx of ice fishermen to limited indoor opportunities due to Covid. With one of the coldest Februarys in recent memory, more people have taken the opportunity to out to LaDue Reservoir, Mosquito Lake or on private ponds in the area to spend time ice fishing.
Carson, who has been ice fishing in the area for around 10 years, admits he’s always been interested in fishing. He finally tried ice fishing with buddies, and, well, he got hooked. He notes that ice fishing is different from typical fishing in that it involves slower action, since cold weather makes fish more sluggish or “finickier”.
For gear, Carson recommends that first time ice anglers use what they’ve already got, but notes that gear specific to ice fishing is a smaller rod and lighter tackle. He notes that while in warmer weather one can fish in weed beds and shallow places, this isn’t the case in winter. And winter fishing is less mobile than other seasons where you can change locations, since setting up for ice fishing takes time. Deciding where to go, Carson explained, “comes with experience, trial, and error.”
He described using a spud bar to tap ice to test strength, then drilling a test hole near shore and working further out. He notes that six to seven inches of ice are generally sufficient, depending on your location. Having had a few close calls, he recalls that having a foot go through the ice is a scary event. So Carson recommends, “It’s not a bad idea to keep a change of dry clothes in your truck or inside your shanty.” Other key requirements are warm clothing and lots of patience. He noted that typical excursions involve, “hours of boredom, followed by moments of madness.”
Those ‘moments of madness can result in catches that can include crappie, bluegill, perch, and catfish, while walleye can be caught on larger lakes. Ideal air temperatures are between zero and 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Most ice fisherman agree that the first few hours after sunrise and roughly two hours before sunset are ideal times to give it a go. That provides plenty of time to enjoy the peace and quiet that draws folks like Carson out of their warm houses and onto the ice each winter. But ice fishing also offers more than just solitude.
“When the sun hits the ice in the morning, it can grumble and crack,” Carson shared. “If there is winde, sometimes it will crack and slide against itself, and that’s an interesting noise.” An explanation on the ODNR website explained, “The ice on a lake is in a difficult position: cold air above, warm water below and only so much room to expand. So when ice forms, it will actually ‘sing’. This is the result of the ice pressing against itself as it expands.” For that reason, Carson recommends starting with someone who has experience instead of going out solo. He added, “Safety is huge with ice fishing.”
To try your hand at ice fishing, you’ll need a valid Ohio fishing license, and be prepared to follow the regulations of the location where you’ll be fishing. For more information, visit ohiodnr.gov.
