Feel a bit weird replying to my own post before others do..anyways was at Long Island (second pull off) 2.5-3 inches (4 inches not found as earlier reported in the week) Ice is slushy- lots of stuff on top. Should freeze in the next couple of days. Was only 2 other guys fishing by the time we left (5pm) and everyone was saying the same thing- catching tiny gills every once in a while. Biggest we caught was a 7 inch gill my newbie mentored guy caught- he was excited. Was really surprised how no one was out there. I guess there was a lot more in the morning and on Friday- poor fishing and weakening ice conditions must have drove them all away.


4 fish in 3 hours ...1st time out this year...1st time out ever for my buddy.
Had fun. and most importantly -..got to ice fish in December:)

1st Ice in Central Ohio means a trip to Long Island- IL. I have heard from others though, that this year is a bit different as water levels are down about 18 inches changing much of the dynamic of our first ice haven. The bigger fish are deeper- in not as safe areas. I will be there tomorrow to check it out. Please stay tuned to these posts as I have heard from the best that it may not be worth a trip this weekend.

THE MAIN LAKE HAS ABOUT 1.25" OF UNSTABLE ICE. CHANNELS MAY HAVE UP TO 3 INCHES. THE ICE QUALITY IS NOT GOOD BECAUSE OF WIND CONDITIONS WHEN IT FROZE. THERE ARE OPEN AREAS WHERE HOME OWNERS ARE USING AERATORS. THESE ARE USUALLY MARKED BY LOTS OF GEESE CONGREGATED. THE ICE IS STILL UNSAFE FOR ICE FISHING. INDIAN LAKE STATE PARK RANGERS RECOMMEND 2 INCHES OF GOOD QUALITY ICE FOR ICE FISHING AND 6 INCHES OF ICE FOR SNOWMOBILES OR ATVS. THE LAKE IS LOW BELOW NORMAL POOL (AS MEASURED AT THE SPILLWAY). VISIBILITY IS 10 MILES. WIND IS CALM. THE BAROMETER IS 29.92 °F AND FALLING. IT IS CLOUDY.

Let see if we can't get some Fish Ohio Awards
Here is some info:
Division of Wildlife
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Fish Ohio Awards

Anglers will receive a Fish Ohio pin for their first enrty each year, and a Master Angler pin fr qualifying entries in four different species categories in the same year.

1.) Fish must be taken by legal angling and not from pay lakes.
2.) Deadline for application is January 15th, each year.
3.) Possible state record fish must be kept frozen for verification by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio (www.outdoorwritersofohio.org)

To Recieve Your Fish Ohio Certificate, enter online at:
www.fishohio.org

Qualifying Fish
Brown Trout........... 25 in.                    Rainbow Trout ........ 28 in.
Carp .......................26 in.                    Rock Bass ................10 in.
Channel Catfish ......26 in.                    Sauger .....................16 in.
Crappie ...................13 in.                    Saugeye ...................21 in.
Flathead Catfish ......35 in.                    Smallmouth Bass ......20 in.
Freshwater Drum .....22 in.                    Sunfish ........................9in.
Hyb Striped Bass ......21 in.                    Walleye ....................28 in.
Largemouth Bass .....21 in.                    White Bass ...............16 in.
Muskie ......................36 in.                     Yellow Perch............ 13 in.
Northern Pike ...........32 in.

I gave up on Box stores a while ago. Even their websites offer a very minimal selection of gear. If you are looking for local places - Fishermans Warehouse in South Columbus had a selection already in Novemebr with more on the way.  If you are at Indian Lake- BPS and Mike's both have assortments of ice fishing stuff- BPS has shanty's, augers, ice chippers, buckets, ext whereas Mike's has more line, tackle and bait. Both are great thoughand worth the trip. The shops over there don't open till 7am though and you miss the before dawn bite if you wait to get bait there the day of your fishing excursion. Most of my stuff comes from online these days. I actually have a Jason Mitchell Rod coming from David here at IceFishOhio.com

I really like Mike at Mike's Bait Shop. A small place that packs alot of good gear in it. And the bait is very lively. Mike is very nice and has good old fashioned small business values. Unfortunately cash only the last time I checked.

I am about to drill two holes in the bottom of my sitting bucket to put a bungee cord through and latch to my shanty for travel purpsoes. Have been strapping it down through the top handle and have found it very unstabile and have had the bucket fall a couple of times.