Ice Fishing 2026

[30th Arty]

Happy New Year to all!

12 degrees in Port Clinton this morning, and Lake web cams show ice on the Lake at Catawba, Put-in-Bay, and other places. Weather forecast for continued ice formation is good for the rest of the week, but then gets warm, day time highs in the mid upper 30's and into the 40's. Even if the Lake gets some areas with good enough ice to fish (East Harbor, Put-in-Bay Harbor, possibly near Put-in-Bay and right off Catawba), doesn't look like it will last long. Long winter ahead, so hopefully by the third week of January we get a good long cold spell to create at least a few weeks of good ice fishing.

Buddy caught a Brook Trout in East Harbor ice fishing two weeks ago. Just goes to show, you never know what you might catch in Lake Erie and it's bays, harbors, and rivers.

How thick is the ice off Catawba State Park?

[West Basin]

Report a few days ago from buddy on South Bass Is said ice was 8-10 inches. Which means by today (Tuesday, Feb 03) it is probably a few inches thicker, more like 10-12 or more. A few days of little or "neutral' ice growth, then we hit the figid temps again for the weekend.

Heard Catawba State Park had to shut down parking last weekend due to overcrowding.

Ice crack opened up off Turtle Creek a few days ago. Haven't heard if it blew back or iced over.

Catch rates seem to be hit or miss. Yes, most people that did well didn't post anything. 0-4 walleye seems to be the overall success, but location is hard to come by. Lot of area out there now to fish, and the fish move around, so pick a spot, check it with your fish finder (if you have one), / fish it for awhile, and if no luck - move!

As always - be darn careful! Stay away from anyplace that looks "iffy" and stay on the traveled paths.

[stampman]

As a person who believes in equality I have my wife walk ahead of me on the ice.