Winter doesn't shut down the fishing in Ohio, at least not for anglers who are after the popular saugeye. A saugeye is the offspring of a female walleye and a male sauger. They are fast growing, excellent eating and offer fishermen a good fight.

Thanks to the efforts of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, fishermen can expect to catch saugeyes year 'round. Here's where to find some great saugeye fishing in open water and on the ice near you this month:

DISTRICT ONE
According to Nick Radabaugh, an ODOW biologist, Indian Lake, Buckeye Lake and Deer Creek are good bets for winter saugeyes in District One.

Indian Lake
The Ohio Division of Wildlife stocks over 500,000 saugeˆye fingerlings into Indian Lake each year, and it is currently one of the state's most popular saugeye fisheries. In freezing weather, ice-fishermen get plenty of action with jig-and-minnow rigs. As winter turns to early spring, anglers target the Moundwood and Lakeview areas.

Indian Lake State Park has a boat ramp and docks provided for campers. More lodging is available about 10 miles southeast in Bellefontaine.

The lake is in Logan County. It may be reached from state routes 33, 708, 117, 366 and 235.

For more information, contact the Indian Lake State Park office at (937) 843-2717 or the ODOW's Wildlife District One office at (614) 644-3925.

For maps and other information, call toll-free (800) WILDLIFE.

Buckeye Lake
Less than 25 miles east of downtown Columbus lies Buckeye Lake, one of the oldest impoundments in the state. This shallow lake is about 6 feet deep in most parts, with a maximum depth of about 14 feet in the channels. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources stocks the lake with fingerling saugeyes and hybrid striped bass annually. Ice-fishing is popular with local fishermen, and frigid days bring out the saugeye anglers, who fish jigs tipped with minnows or bright plastic trailers on or near the bottom. As spring approaches, trolling with baitfish imitators or casting shallow crankbaits will produce some strikes.

Buckeye Lake is accessible from state routes 79, 204 and 13. A variety of lodging is available in Columbus and Reynoldsburg. Although there are no camping areas in the park, a KOA is available nearby.

For additional information, contact the Buckeye Lake State Park office at (740) 467-2690, or call the ODOW's District One office at (614) 644-3925 for fishing reports and maps.

Deer Creek Lake
Deer Creek Lake is not to be confused with Deer Creek Reservoir, which lies in the northeastern part of the state. Deer Creek Lake is four miles south of Mt. Sterling along state Route 207. In 1978, it was the first of Ohio's lakes to be stocked with saugeyes. The experiment was successful, leading the way to the current abundance of saugeye fishing opportunities in Ohio.

Fingerling saugeyes are stocked annually, and the tailwaters provide great winter fishing. When engineers reduce the water level in fall, good numbers of fish become trapped below the dam. Best results come with slow presentations of jigs with bright trailers or with live minnows fished on the bottom.

In early spring, the riprap areas along the dam face are good producers when fished with imitation minnow lures.

The Ohio Division of Parks and Wildlife operates a lodge, marina, boat ramps and campground at Deer Creek State Park. Additional information may be obtained by calling the park office at (740) 869-3124, or by contacting the ODOW's District One office at (614) 644-3925.

DISTRICT TWO
Lake LeCompte
Lake LeCompte is in the northeast corner of Hancock County and has excellent prospects for saugeyes, with many fish from the 2007 year-class now in the 25-inch range.

Lodging is available in Fostoria, and there are a number of campgrounds in the Tiffin-Fostoria area.