Photo by Tom Evans

Ohio’s ice-fishing season will be kicking off in earnest this month. Lakes and reservoirs packed with panfish, perch, walleyes await hardy anglers who will brave the cold in pursuit of these and other popular species.

If you’re one of the savvy anglers who grins ear to ear while other anglers retire their fishing gear for the season, here’s a look at what Ohio’s Division of Wildlife fisheries biologists are doing to make your next winter outing a raging success.

2007 OVERVIEW
Throughout the state, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, biologists have been conducting specific programs to improve winter fishing opportunities for Buckeye State anglers.

These programs include habitat improvement, creel surveys, netting samples, new stocking plans and regulation enforcement.

Though none of these activities is specifically earmarked toward ice- fishing, Ken Cunningham, a fisheries biologist in District One, said the ODNR tries to provide high-quality fishing for anglers throughout the year, with management techniques aimed at providing Ohio’s anglers with maximum opportunities regardless of the season.

With this in mind, here’s a district- by-district breakdown of this season’s top picks by the biologists responsible for their districts.

DISTRICT ONE
Cunningham’s gave his picks for District One without hesitation.

“The best spots for winter fishing are Buckeye and Indian lakes,” he asserted. “Both are canal lakes and freeze up well.”

Along with usually having good ice, both lakes also have DNR-managed stocking programs for both saugeye and hybrid bass.

“Most ice-fishermen target the saugeye,” he noted. “But I have also seen some anglers working on hybrid stripers.

“Saugeyes are there in good numbers, too,” he added, “and the sizes are really good as well.”

Anglers who want to focus on crappies or bluegills can also do well on either lake.

Buckeye Lake lies in Fairfield, Licking, and Perry counties. The lake is 23 miles east of Columbus and may be reached from state routes 79, 13, 204. Buckeye Lake has approximately 2,847 surface acres of water and some 37 miles of shoreline. Most of the lake is from 6 to 8 feet deep, with the deepest water on the eastern end, near the Fairfield and Perry county line. There, the lake has a few 12- to 14-foot holes that often stack up with fish, especially in winter.

Indian Lake is in Logan County and may be reached via state routes 366, 235, 368, 708 and 702. With some 5,059 surface acres, Indian Lake offers plenty of room for winter angling. Much of the lake is only 4 feet deep. The deepest section is along state routes 235 and 366, where the water averages about 6 to 8 feet deep.

For more information about the ice-fishing opportunities in the ODOW’s District One, contact Cunningham’s headquarters office at 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215; or call (614) 644-3925.

DISTRICT TWO
Lake La Su An topped the list offered by Joel Plott, a fisheries biologist for the ODOW’s District Two.

“Largemouth bass are the main target on Lake Su An,” he said, “but panfish are also pursued.”

Anglers heading for Lake La Su An need to be aware that the DNR posts new site-specific regulations on signs at the lake.