Open water

[West Basin]

If someone wants to go, fine. We all have our abilities and limits.

Right now there are chunks of ice floating around just about everywhere. There are still large areas of bunched up ice along the mainland that are constantly moving. The islands (west of South and Middle Bass) still have a big area of locked in ice that can break up any time. If you do chose to venture out, please be Very Careful. It's not what you can see that's the most dangerous, it's the ice you can't or didn't see. Plus wherever you put in might have an ice jam when you come back.

[Ducker]

There's a lot of good fishing to be had on the lake this early, this is when you can get that trophy walleye you've always been looking for. Any day on the lake can be deadly if you don't pay attention to your situation. Fact is more people die in the summer than this time of year. So get out an get that trophy, just be careful.

Remember it's still safer than Covid.......

[West Basin]

Was up yesterday like Hageman. Like the satellite shows, it's open water about 1/4 to 3/4 miles from shore from Metzger Marsh to west of Port Clinton. Port Clinton to Catawba Point ice is still locked in going out about a mile or two. East of Catawba point the South Passage is open. You can see the locked in ice west of South Bass. Lots of ice was blown out into the center and north shore of the Lake. Canal and marina ice is easily 10-12 inches+ thick. Nobody is going anywhere anytime soon in a boat. Photos below.

Crane Creek Beach.


Metzger Marsh launch ramp.


Off Catawba State Park. Hageman already posted a photo of the ramp.

[West Basin]

Sorry, somehow logged off before last photo was uploaded.

Off Catawba State Park. Hageman already posted a photo of the launch ramp.



Lots of little ice "bergs" out there along with the big ice sheets to the north.



Ducks in the photo are "Bluebills" or Scaup.

[itsbob]

A lot of that ice will blow west tomorrow with the good west wind Forcast.Should take a couple weeks for ice in channels and marinas to melt. Looking at 3rd week of March for open water fishing.Thanks for posts and pictures.

[30th Arty]

A lot of that ice will blow west tomorrow with the good west wind Forcast.Should take a couple weeks for ice in channels and marinas to melt. Looking at 3rd week of March for open water fishing.Thanks for posts and pictures.

March 7, 2015 I fished through 19 inches of ice about a mile WNW of Catawba State Park. Amazing how the winters vary.

[itsbob]

Looks like most the ramps are ice free and guys will be fishing soon,from what I have read on OGF.Looks like Sunday with light wind Forcast that will be the day there should be some open water reports.Yeah!!!