Ice Fishing Updates 2025

[Lynn M]

It looks like there could be 75 to 100 shanties out between South Bass and Rattlesnake area. Any of you care to give us a fishing report? I'm planning to head up to Saginaw Bay in about 2 weeks to see if we can get into some eyes. First time trying my hand at catching walleye through the ice, they tell me there's nothing like it. Good luck and be safe out there!

[stampman]

Planning on going to Sag. Bay if you aren't taking a snowmobile during boards to get across the cracks

[Lynn M]

Planning on going to Sag. Bay if you aren't taking a snowmobile during boards to get across the cracks

We are actually going with a guide so I trust he will be experienced with those kind of issues. Thanks for the heads up!

[Redmack]

We are actually going with a guide so I trust he will be experienced with those kind of issues. Thanks for the heads up!

Which guide are you using if you dont mind, thanks.

[Lynn M]

Which guide are you using if you dont mind, thanks.

I believe it is Northstar Fishing Adventures out of Standish. I know this isn't a Saginaw Bay site, but I may report how we did after the trip. Heading out today...

[gb1234]

Please do report how you do. Thanks in advance.

[West Basin]

Sorry I haven't added any ice fishing reports. My father is in Hospice in Maumee, so I haven't had any time to keep up with it.

Deep freeze weather has the ice fishing on strong. Lots of good ice off the NW corner of South Bass Island, and as someone already stated there are a lot of shanties and tents out there between Green Island and Rattlesnake Island. Just like open water fishing, all depends on the day. Buddy of mine was up there 10 days ago and did well, I think 24 walleye and some yellow perch for two guys for a few days of ice fishing. I think he's going back, may be there now.

Web cam shows folks out ice fishing off Catawba State Park area. Saw a snowmobile go by. Looks like it should be good through the weekend. Haven't looked at the forecast after that.

East Harbor should be going strong too, as well as all the ponds and lakes.

Get out and enjoy if you can. A good experience to get to the Lake and just see the ice, drive around a little. You don't have to go ice fishing. Walk out a hundred yards at Catawba State Park, just to say you've been out on the ice (follow the traveled paths - don't go where nobody has gone!). I know a lot of you don't like winter, but Lake Erie has some fun and adventure to offer in the winter too.

West

[West Basin]

Buddy's buddy and friends caught 90 walleye ice fishing in two days, north of Rattlesnake Island. Either Thursday and Friday or Friday and Saturday. 14 inch thick ice.

I don't know about any other places.

[Lynn M]

Saginaw Bay report. We fished Thursday and Friday, Feb. 20 & 21. First day it was just the 3 of us and the guide. Fished from sun up to sun down and caught 2 fish. One was a decent size perch, maybe 13" and a small 17" walleye. Second day wasn't any better. There were 6 that went out plus the guide and got one 18" walleye on the right side of the ice. The guide mentioned that when the cold front came through about a week earlier that the bite shut off. So, I can't really blame the guide, the fish just weren't in the mood.
We fished 15 to 23 fow on the bottom using various jigs and minnows. Ice ranged from 9" to 15" thick.
For those considering going, we paid $250/person/day. I ended up giving my 2 fish away to the Grandpa and his grandsons that went out the second day since I still have fish in the freezer from last fall. So it was definitely a bust as far as the fishing went but I was glad for the experience.

[Lynn M]

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