Before you spend the gas money to come to Russels Point, OH and fish Indian Lake (usually the first to freeze in Ohio) here is some things to note, Russels Point, is not where first ice typically is on Indian Lake but on the north end in a place referred to by locals as Long Island
Calling around to local bait shops is usally the best way to know if there is safe ice the day you are looking to go out.
This website is also a good place as many of us fish or live near Indian Lake. Either way check conditions before driving hours to find the it is unfishable..
With that said..Indian Lake is usually the first lake in all of Ohio to freeze due to it's unique elevation (sits at about 1,000 feet above sea level), shallow water (average depth is 5 feet), is tree protected coves and inlets (see above note on the north side, Long Island) and it's limited current.
A deep freeze (7-10 days of averages below freezing) is all we need to build 3 inches of walkable ice and the forecast has it for the next 10 days putting ous safely on some ice (in the right spots) by Dec 29th.
