Buckeye Angler | Here are the 'hottest' spots for ice fishing
Jack Kiser
Correspondent
With the region's very best ice angling conditions in a decade well under way, it seems time for an update on just how things are progressing at the most popular and historically productive fisheries.
One positive factor in evidence at all the locations is a consistent ice thickness of a foot or better. Even Lake Erie is at the onset of reliably safe ice in the wind-protected bays and increasingly reaching out towards more open water.
Here are the latest updates:
Lake Erie: Mike at Real Sport Charters (419-265-2736 ) noted that Swedish Pimples tipped with minnows are taking walleyes reliably, with Rattle Snake Island and in and around Put-In-Bay are standout locales so far.
Lake Milton: Locals report nice catches of yellow perch in 10-20-feet of water off both shorelines heading towards the dam.
Mogadore Reservoir: The gang at Mogadore Bait & Tackle (330-628-9872) report the bay off the Tichnor Road ramp has been the hot spot, with nice catches of all panfish, particularly crappie on waxworms or minnows.
Berlin Reservoir: Crappie bite is on off shoreline cover and under the train trestle.
Mosquito Reservoir: Causeway Bait & Tackle (330-637-7076) reports steady catches of walleye on blade baits and jigs and minnows. The south end off the cemetery has been a stand out with the north side better for crappie.
Portage Lakes: Fishermans Central (330-644-5346) reports widely scattered panfish catches, but overall still a bit slow.
Punderson Lake: This notoriously underrated southern Geauga County gem has seen nice catches of deep water bluegill on black ants and maggots. The lake office (440-564-7825) reminds us of the bonus state-stocked varieties of trout also in evidence in these deep, cool waters.
Wingfoot Lake: Nice catches of panfish, particularly bluegill, are being reported. Try just off the islands.
West Branch: Mark at Mark's Bait, Tackle & Firearms (330-296-3474) north of Ravenna reports his busiest season in years. West Branch has been best for crappie, around shallow water and beaver huts. A 9-pound walleye was also checked in. Though famously well-stocked with an array of Pin-Mins and augers and blades, Mark is currently sold out of shanties, but more are on the way.
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Jack Kiser is the host of "Buckeye Angler," long-time outdoors columnist for the Record-Courier and "Midwest Outdoors" magazine, and TV and radio host for PBS and Fox Sports. You can contact him at the Buckeye Angler Facebook site and buckeyeangler.com.
How think is the ice?