Fishing Opportunities Unlimited for Anglers Willing to Brave the Cold
AKRON, OH – To many northeast Ohio anglers, the combination of falling snow and dipping temperatures means hanging up the fishing equipment. There is a unique segment of the fishing population however who are eager to trek outdoors and brave the cold according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
More adventurous Buckeye State anglers are provided with unlimited chances to catch a variety of fish such as perch, sunfish, crappie, walleye, and in a few places, even northern pike. Most lakes and ponds that anglers fish in the warmer months are just as good in the winter, so with a little skill and knowledge about fishing on the frozen water, you can be reeling in fish in no time.
Learning about the body of water to be fished, necessary equipment, how to dress warmly, and most importantly, knowing safety precautions are all components of a pleasant winter fishing experience.
Get to know the lake: To begin learning about a certain lake, free lake maps are available through the Division of Wildlife. These maps depict lake boundaries, good fishing spots, parking locations, and water depths. Call Wildlife District Three in Akron at (330) 644-2293 or visit www.wildohio.com to obtain a map of your favorite lake. For panfish, PundersonLake in GeaugaCounty, PymatuningLake in AshtabulaCounty, and the PortageLakes reservoirs in SummitCounty are long time producers. For walleye, BerlinLake in Portage, Mahoning, and Stark counties, as well as MosquitoLake in TrumbullCounty (also good for pike) or PymatuningLake in AshtabulaCounty are both excellent, but keep an eye on water levels fluctuating.
Equipment: Some basic tools you will need before you hit the hard water.
• Sled
• Ice Auger
• Skimmer
• Ice Chisel
• Bait Bucket
• Gaff Hook
• Seat
• Dip Net
• Hook disgorger
• Ice fishing rods (short, with or without a spring type bobber)
• “Tip-up” rods (tripping mechanism sends up a flag on a strike)
• “Pin-mins” (Small ice jigs that can be tipped with live bait)
• Jigging spoons or other similar lures (Rapala jigs, Sonars, Vibe-E’s) for predacious fish
• Live bait such as minnow (for larger fish) or wax worms (for smaller fish)
• Flashers, depth finders, or underwater cameras to see what lies beneath the ice
Other items to bring: extra clothes, energy-rich snacks and warm beverages, a coil of rope, first aid kit, waterproof matches, ice awls, floatation device, cell phone (in a sealed plastic bag).
Dress for Success: Layering your clothes makes it much easier to remove or add clothes depending on your comfort level. The first layer should be a good pair of thermal underwear that keeps perspiration away from the skin. The second layer should be wool, fleece, or flannel followed by a third layer of windproof or waterproof material. A warm, wool or fleece hat is important too! Avoid cotton altogether because it is a very poor insulator. Don’t forget to keep those toes toasty too by wearing good, non-cotton socks and loose waterproof boots. Boots that are a bit too big help circulation continue throughout your feet. Lastly, mittens are the best way to go to protect your hands from the icy water. Some winter anglers even wear thin, rubber gloves underneath mittens to allow flexibility. It doesn’t hurt to bring extra clothes too!
Be safe:
· No ice is safe ice!
· For one person and gear (approx, 200 pounds) at least four inches of ice is critical
· Always fish with a partner or in an area with several other anglers present
· Let others know exactly where you are going and when you plan to return
· Place a cell phone in a plastic bag to protect it from moisture in case you get wet
· Sprinkle sand around your feet for better traction on the ice
· Wear a life vest in case of an emergency or at least take along a PFD seat cushion
· Avoid areas of feeder streams, springs, bridge pilings, docks, & dam structures since ice is usually very thin
Uh oh!
· If you fall into the water, try to remain as calm as possible
· Slip your loose boots off to better tread water
· Use ice awls to pull yourself out of the water
· If no ice awls are available, call for help & try “swimming out”; let your body rise up to firm ice & crawl out
· Stay flat, distributing your weight on the ice
· Keep your clothes on once out of the water. This will keep you insulated.
· If someone else falls in, use REACH (stick or fishing pole), THROW (rope or PFD), ROW (row or push a boat), and GO (call for help).
Anglers should call Wildlife District Three in Akron at (330) 644-2293 with questions or concerns before venturing out. View a ice fishing safety chart