Ice Fishing 2026

[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!

[West Basin]

Ice fishing off South Bass Island overall has been slow up through Monday. Few limit catches. Mostly 1-3 fish and some yellow perch and white bass. The ice remains thick, 12-22 inches. Surface has gotten slushy with pooling snow melt water. Fishing should improve as more pre-spawn fish venture into the Western Basin. We'll see how the high winds over the next few days effect the ice. Temperatures cool down this weekend into next week, but cold weather isn't forecast until March. Ice is thick enough to last for quite some time, but the fishing will depend on whether or not the ice remains locked in and the wind doesn't create movement that breaks up sections and causes large cracks. No information om ice fishing off the mainland, other than one report of a few limit catches in the South Passage back last weekend.

[tater140]

I did real well off out of Camp Perry last weekend. Ice was around 12" thick I would guess. The last day we fished was Sunday... I suspect the ice is close to being a no go by now... but I haven't seen it since Sunday. My dad is fishing off of South Bass the last couple of days and it has been very slow for them.