Quote Originally Posted by onestout View Post
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Madd Matt, If you could handle someone from out of state tagging along I would love to fish Erie through the ice. I fished it for the first time last summer and will be back this summer but really want to try it through the ice. I just don't want to venture out there on my own for the first time.

Michael
It is always nice to have someone to go out with. I am by no means an experienced lake Erie Guide... I am not an ice fishing guide. Although, not everyone knows that for $50 anyone can be a licensed ice fishing guide in the State of Ohio. That's right, if you have never even walked on ice in your life and never seen Lake Erie, never cut a hole, never caught a fish or even been fishing, you too can be a licensed Ice Fishing Guide in the State of Ohio. ODNR does not require any experience nor knowledge. There is no test, there are no credentials and there are not even any questions as to if you have any clue what you are doing. (As long as you are not using a boat)

Here is the link. Anyone can sign up and become a Lake Erie ice fishing guide, licensed by the ODNR.

http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/...idelicense.pdf

So, please make sure that when going out that you are getting credentials. There are plenty of Lake Erie Ice Fishing guides with years and years of knowledge and experience that are great knowledgeable guides. Ask your guide how many years on Lake Erie ice they have and ask a lot of good questions, don't take the fact that they have a Lake Erie guide license as any means of qualification!

Anyone who tells you that the "ice is safe" in my opinion doesn't have enough respect of Lake Erie. The ice on Lake Erie is never "safe"... it is just "safer than last week"

Please be careful!

Having said that. If I'm going out and anyone wants to tag along or meet up and go as a group, or meet on the ice in a general area to help zero in on some fish while on the ice, I'm game!

I have a couple guys going out tomorrow morning. I will post detailed reports. I am hoping to go out Saturday and will post again.

Be safe!

-Matt