Ice Fishing 2026

[West Basin]

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.

[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]

This morning a few people out off Catawba, only half mile or so. Saw one guy out there yesterday. Don't know the ice conditions, I just look at the web cam. Someone local who knows will have to let us know.

[West Basin]

Ice fishing has started! Several people out off Catawba State Park. A few shanties off the west side of South Bass Island. And... it's 1 degree out there (wind chill -9)! Crazy people!

With the frigid forecast the next 10 days, and the Lake not forecast to get a lot of snow with the coming Saturday night / Sunday snowstorm, expect ice conditions to continue to improve with more areas open to fishing.

Here's a very interesting article about walking across Lake Erie on the ice to Canada. From 1978. Let's hear some stories about the "way it used to be" with winter ice.
I Walked Across Lake Erie — Alone

Also, an ice fishing video I made back during the real cold 2015 winter. Shows what the ice column looks like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1xP3mJdwtA

Give you something interesting to read and view while you're holed up over the weekend.

[gb1234]

Fascinating video! Thanks for sharing!

[airshot]

I retired from ice fishing years ago due to age and health, however, I do enjoy reading, looking at pics and videos on fishing lake erie. So bring on what is happening out there, how thick is the ice, what ya catchin, and how big.....we armchair ice fishermen need to know !! Thanks

[DW72]

It's been many years since I have ice fished the PC area...mostly out of Catawba. We had a great guy with an airboat but he no longer guides. I would LOVE to make a trip again if anyone would be willing to recommend a safe, local and trusted guide.

We learned first hand that it can be very dangerous out there with the currents, pressure cracks and wind.

Thanks in advance!