Photo by Mike Gnatkowski

Ice-fishing in the Buckeye State is a combination of camaraderie, frozen fingers and the quest for fish for the fryer. There are plenty of frozen lakes in which to drill a hole or two, and it's a great time of the year to catch fish.

Pack up the rods, a hot Thermos of coffee and head for one of these proven hardwater hotspots this winter:

INDIAN LAKE
Indian Lake stands as one of the Buckeye State's premier hardwater fisheries. Last year was tough, due to open water and unsafe ice for most of the winter, but the lake did freeze up pretty well for a couple of weeks.

Big crappies have been taken from the lake for several years. These fish seem to disappear during hot weather, but when the ice forms, it's a different story. A small jig or minnow under a tiny float can be deadly on big slabs that can run as large as 12 inches.

It's also possible to haul in a nice mess of big bluegills. The 'gills will be thick in the Old Indian Lake area off Dream Bridge on state Route 708.

This area was the original lake prior to the present impoundment and is now bordered by emergent weedbeds. At 12 feet, it's also the deepest spot in the lake. Most of the lake is less than six feet deep.

Though not a dependable winter target, the lake's saugeyes have made Indian Lake one of the state's most popular fishing destinations.

Saugeyes -- a hybrid cross between a walleye and a sauger -- are ideal for the shallow waters in Indian Lake and can reach 16 inches in just three or four years. They tend to hang low on the submerged humps off the west bank south of Oldfield Beach and in the Old Indian Lake section.

Access to the lake is from state routes 235, 366 and 708.

For more information and current ice conditions, contact the Indian-Kiser State Parks Region office at (937) 843-2717, or call the Ohio Division of Wildlife's District One office at (614) 644-3925

BUCKEYE LAKE
Buckeye Lake covers 2,816 acres in Fairfield County. The eastern half of Buckeye Lake is bluegill territory. Many of these fish are over 8 inches long, and there are plenty of them.

Small minnows and larval baits work well, and a tiny jig-and-grub can be effective for larger fish.

Crappies are taken on the same baits and will readily bite in winter.

Catfish are a tough winter catch, but if you connect, your hole had better be a big one. This lake's flatheads and channel cats can hit the 20-pound mark.

The statewide catfish regulations implemented here a few years ago are still confusing to some anglers. There's no daily bag limit, but no more than one channel cat 28 inches or longer may be kept. The same liberal bag limit for flatheads is in effect, but no more than one 35-inch fish can be kept.

Of special interest are the lake's hybrid stripers. Though not commonly taken through the ice, these fish are a cross between a purebred striper and a white bass, and can weigh in at several pounds. Chicken livers and minnows are popular baits.

Saugeyes are also available here. These fish are aggressive biters, grow fast and thrive in shallow Ohio waters. Contact the ODOW at (614) 644-3925 for more information.

KISER LAKE
Kiser Lake lies south of Indian Lake on state Route 235 in Champaign County. The ice-fishing can be superb here, and there is plenty of access around most of the lake.

The panfish bite is steady in the middle of this 396-acre body of water. Vegetation extends throughout most of the shallow east end of the lake and borders the north and south shorelines.