Open water

[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!!!

[MBLMIKE]

I was just looking at Catawba Lake Erie live stream camera see one boat heading east , did not see any ice in view but lots of logs floating so if you go be careful

[West Basin]

Water temp still 33-34 degrees.
Night time temps in the mid 20's next two days.
Lots of ice still floating around and near shore.
I understand some folks just can't wait to get out.
BUT - is it really worth it right now?
Much safer to wait until the ice is gone, water temps start to rise (36+), and the air temps are warmer. That's for better fishing all around.

[mikecat13]

Water temp still 33-34 degrees.
Night time temps in the mid 20's next two days.
Lots of ice still floating around and near shore.
I understand some folks just can't wait to get out.
BUT - is it really worth it right now?
Much safer to wait until the ice is gone, water temps start to rise (36+), and the air temps are warmer. That's for better fishing all around.

Because I like fishing and I have a hell of a safe boat. 40 degree water is just as dangerous as 33 degree water. You gotta be smart and careful anytime on the big lake

[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.......