"Last year we had some good ice in northwestern Ohio, but for some unknown reason the fishing was generally slow," stated Larry Goedde, a District Two fisheries supervisor. "The action was slow on public lakes, and on private ponds, but we had a few bright spots. Crappie fishing at Oxbow Lake was consistent, and bluegill fishing at the Lake La Su An Wildlife Area was good."

The semiprotected island areas of the Lake Erie's western basin have long been a much-visited area of focus for ice-anglers hoping to catch a few mega-sized walleyes. Goedde's Lake Erie ice report for last year stated that Lake Erie was spotty - good some days, slow others. The Island Areas of Lake Erie were the most consistent.

"I suggest that people who fish Lake Erie in winter go out with a guide. Ice conditions on Lake Erie are unpredictable. The ice can be 10 inches thick in one place and only 2 inches thick a few feet away because undercurrents erode the ice from below," he said. "You also need to watch the winds and weather to avoid getting stranded on ice flow separations. Proper equipment is essential to be successful ice-fishing Lake Erie."

One of the better inland waters in District Two last year was Lake La Su An. This area is limited to fishing only two days a week - Thursday and Sunday. Goedde says that a reservation is required to fish the better lakes found within this area.

"We don't start fishing until the first Thursday in January, and it is tough to get a reservation to fish," noted Goedde. "A lot of people apply for the few reservations that are available."

Call or write the District Two office at 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, OH, (419) 424-5000, for an information packet on Lake Lu Su An.

In general, Goedde says, ice-fishing in his district most years is good for bluegills, crappies, channel catfish, walleyes and yellow perch.

"Upground reservoirs are good for all of these species," stated Goedde. "The anglers who are most successful keep moving around the lake until they locate fish. Many of them use either a fishfinder or underwater cameras, which work really for well ice-fishing when the water is clear."

For the 2005 season, one of the venues Goedde suggested was the group of Findlay reservoirs. These waters, which are east of Findlay, are good for many popular winter species, he says.

Trout anglers will want to check out the ice-fishing action provided by Lima Lake. Goedde said catchable-sized trout are stocked there in the fall and are frequently taken through the ice. In addition to trout, Lima Lake offers good saugeye fishing.

Ferguson Reservoir, which is in the Lima area, features good ice-fishing for walleyes and yellow perch.

Goedde listed the following remaining reservoirs as worthy of attention from ice-anglers: McComb Reservoir No. 2 for yellow perch and bluegills; Beaver Creek Reservoir for bluegills, yellow perch and channel catfish; Bellevue 5 Reservoir for saugeyes; Paulding Reservoir for saugeyes and yellow perch; and Veteran's Memorial Reservoir for crappies, bluegills and saugeyes.

He also suggested lakes within the Oxbow and Resthaven wildlife areas fore good ice-fishing for bluegills.

Grand Lake St. Marys is the top choice in southwestern Ohio's District Five, according to fisheries supervisor Doug Maloney. "Last year didn't provide much ice-fishing action," he noted. "The one lake that does hold up well is Grand Lake St. Marys."

It's unsurprising that this vast, shallow lake provides good ice-fishing. It cools rapidly, perhaps because it's in the district's northern part.

Maloney says that Grand Lake St. Marys consistently provides good sport with bluegills and crappies. Yellow perch action can be good, but fluctuates from year to year.

Steve Graham, central Ohio's District One fisheries supervisor, listed Buckeye Lake as the number one ice-fishing water in his area, with saugeyes being the premier species.

"Last season, we did have a decent period with safe ice, but it was not a particularly good season for anglers," noted Graham. "I can't explain exactly why."

If the bite is better this winter, in addition to Buckeye Lake, Graham suggested anglers try Indian, Delaware, Deer Creek and Alum Creek lakes. The last three waters are flood control lakes, waterways with changing levels that often have uncertain ice cover. Be especially diligent when checking the ice thickness on these and other flood control lakes.

Dave Bright, Ohio's District Four fisheries supervisor, says that ice-angler participation in southeastern Ohio is sporadic and limited, but noted that a few diehards wait patiently for the development of safe ice conditions in the northern part of the district. He noted that area anglers enjoyed two to three weeks of ice-angling opportunities last season.

Top choices in District Four, according to Bright, include saugeyes in Piedmont Lake, crappies in Salt Fork Lake and Seneca Lake and bass and sunfish in the AEP ReCreation Land ponds.

• Anglers should always remember to wear a personal floatation device.
• Never fish alone. It is always best to have someone around who can help in an emergency.
• Exercise good judgment when venturing onto the ice. Insure that its thickness will support you and all the fishermen around you. A minimum thickness of 4 inches is recommended, more if vehicles are in use.
• Be cautious! Holes drilled in the ice during the previous day's fishing may have only thin layers of ice on top of them.
• Be extra-cautious with small children on the ice; they can slip or fall through unused holes, and should wear a personal flotation device.
• Be aware of current weather predictions. When going onto ice with minimal thickness on a day predicted to have temperatures above average, periodically check perimeter ice melt and thickness. Perimeter ice is usually not as thick as ice in the middle of the waterway, and can melt away during the course of a bright, warm day, leaving anglers stranded.

No seasons or creel limits are in place during the ice-fishing season. Check current regs regarding the water body you're fishing for minimum lengths, creel limits and season dates.

For more information, contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife at (614) 265-6300.