Ice Fish Ohio Forum

Ice Fishing Reports and Ice Conditions by lake. => Willard Reservoir => Topic started by: 1977walleyeguy on January 22, 2013, 06:17:15 PM

Title: Ice Update?
Post by: 1977walleyeguy on January 22, 2013, 06:17:15 PM
Deerslayin - any updates on ice formation?
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: eye spy on January 23, 2013, 01:19:35 PM
nothing as of yesterday
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: 1977walleyeguy on January 23, 2013, 08:20:22 PM
Thanks for the update
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: deerslayern on January 25, 2013, 07:04:48 PM
Sorry guysbbeen workn alot of hrs. i did have a chance 2 check New London cause its 5min from the house and willards 35min out. its ready with 3.5 to 4in ( thats new londons not willards measurments).
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: eye spy on January 25, 2013, 09:08:45 PM
Most of the res was iced over when I checked it out yesterday but there were 2-3 places where it looked like ducks and geese were keeping it open.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: OhioFisher19 on January 29, 2013, 12:36:19 PM
Did anyone hear a guy got rescued here last week?
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: eye spy on January 30, 2013, 07:40:56 PM
Nope, I live in Willard and didn't hear anything about it.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on February 03, 2013, 02:32:34 PM
OhioFisher - I work for Willard Fire Dept. - we did not get called to the res for any type of rescue yet this year. 

I'm working today - I get off at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning...I'll check the res on my way back home to Norwalk.  I'll let you guys know.  Be safe guys.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: swedish nipple on February 03, 2013, 02:50:51 PM
Thanks max. Always like to see the reports. I live an hour away but I love to fish Willard.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on February 04, 2013, 08:33:30 AM
Drove by this a.m.  About 1'' to 1.5'' should be ready in a couple of days I would imagine.  There was a little puddle open at the ramp, which is normal.  I am going to check it again on Wednesday a.m. and possibly fish it either Wednesday or Friday.  I'll keep you guys posted. 
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: eye spy on February 04, 2013, 07:08:36 PM
When I checked yesterday there was 3/4" so it made a little ice last night. This snow isn't going to help
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on February 05, 2013, 04:15:04 PM
Just checked the ice today (Tuesday) at around 3:00 p.m.  There was about 2'' to 2.5'' of ice under a layer of slush near the edges.  I am shooting for Friday but I wouldn't be surprised if it was ready by tomorrow.   Not looking good for getting on Erie anytime soon so I guess I'll head to Willard to see if I have any luck. 
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on February 07, 2013, 01:41:09 PM
Just checked...there were 2 guys fishing...ice is good...I'll be out there tomorrow (Friday). 
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: eye spy on February 08, 2013, 06:53:52 PM
I would not say the ice is good. I was out for a while yesterday afternoon and found 2" at the most. Ice was cracking with every step I took! I didn't venture very far from shore. I am going to check it out in the morning to see if I can get back out a couple more times.  I caught a couple dink perch and a couple small gills
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: OhioFisher19 on February 09, 2013, 02:17:56 AM
My friend said he is going saturday(today). I told him I will spend the money for MI, too risky for me lol
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on February 09, 2013, 05:26:52 AM
Yeah I didn't end up going yesterday (Friday).  I didn't know it was going to be 40+ degrees all night Thursday night.  I'm going to go check it out this a.m. (Saturday). 
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on February 24, 2013, 01:19:05 AM
Ice is holding up good and perch are on (somewhat).  Mostly small...been out 4 times and caught decent numbers of perch along with a few gills.  Haven't caught a limit yet but averaged around 15-20 perch each time except for my first time out when I only caught 3.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: eye spy on February 24, 2013, 10:44:24 PM
I would not say the ice is holding up good.  There has been more open water around the pump house each day and there are now several spots starting to open up towards the nw end.  Like you said, the perch are very small!  I do not understand the guys who keep the 6-7" perch and then brag about catching 20 keepers?  I have fished there a lot this year and have not caught 20 perch over 8" all season.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: Ntoiceman36 on February 25, 2013, 07:16:55 AM
I agree there are alot of reports of catches but they are on the small side,those fish need to be allowed to grow up before they become braggable,small fish are alot of work for little reward,just my opinion though ;)
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: OhioFisher19 on February 25, 2013, 09:57:33 PM
How much have you guys been fishing on down there this week?
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: deerslayern on February 26, 2013, 09:34:20 AM
I personallt stopped fishing for perch there. Due to lack of size. 2010 ice season on my camera I saw more 5in perch and smaller and last summer less larger size than any other year. I agree people need to let the smaller ones grow. any more that drink is great for eyes, bass and gills. very numerous and almost over populated with gills. But atleast they have good sizes of 8in to 11in there. just my thoughts though
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: slabslayer on February 26, 2013, 09:53:31 AM
Where is this lake at?  With bass and gills that size now I'm curious.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: mitch131 on February 26, 2013, 10:29:26 AM
It just off st rt 224 in huron county
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: deerslayern on February 26, 2013, 11:50:08 AM
willard res is on st rt 61 just north of rt 103 . gin clear water, electric motors only. ur not allowed to have a gas motor on not even in perchd position. Ive seen city cops kick people off the water 4 having them on.  I plan on doing alot of fishing there. Its a honey hole to fill the freezer fast.
      I took the wife there and in an hr she had over 100 gills over 9in. From may to oct. its like that every day nonstop action. bass r nice ranging frm 1lb to 3.5 to 4lbs and some bigger. the eyes usually range 18 to 21in. my best was last summer 28.5in a nice hawg.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: slabslayer on February 26, 2013, 09:02:00 PM
That blows. My boat won't be allowed on there.  Is it worth an hour and a half drive for the bull gills just fishing from shore?
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: eye spy on February 26, 2013, 09:35:31 PM
Not worth that far of a drive to me. The only reason I fish there is because it is 5 minutes from my house. Lots of weeds which makes fishing from shore tough.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: slabslayer on February 26, 2013, 09:45:07 PM
I see. I'll put it on my list to ice fish for next season. Or if I'm in that area I'll throw my kayak in the truck and fish it that way.  Thanks for the imput guys.  ;D
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: deerslayern on February 27, 2013, 08:32:23 AM
To me its most definately worth the trip. Im only 40min to the east. If u watch my reports that will give u an idea of when is a good time to make the trip. Now... I do use my ice rod all year long there typically chartruce, green and gold ice jigs tippped with maggots most of the time. Its the way to go to fill ur freezer fast. soft craws work great 4 the gills as well as the perch.Or u can use slip bobber from the bank that works great to. jigs or a hook and split shot. No bigger than 4lb test is what I use.
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: Icetester on February 28, 2013, 08:21:00 PM
Probably a dumb question, but did any ice survive at all?
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on March 01, 2013, 07:40:12 AM
I was wondering the same.  I have to work a few hours this a.m. (Friday) and then I'm planning on heading down to Willard and checking it out.  If anyone knows how the ice is you could save me a trip by letting me know. 
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: eye spy on March 01, 2013, 11:13:20 AM
There is still some ice left but there are open pockets of water as well.  Nobody is fishing.  I don't think the ice that is left is in very good shape
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on March 01, 2013, 09:27:36 PM
Drove by on Friday a.m.  Like eye spy said, the ice doesn't look good enough but with the cold weather back it won't take long (hopefully).  I'm planning on trying again on Sunday.  I'm kind of just looking forward for mid march for the perch to be on at Erie.  Boat is ready!  Ice fishing has been terrible the last two years now. 
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: maxfire26 on March 03, 2013, 11:33:12 AM
Drove by this a.m. (Sunday).  Still a few open spots but more ice than Friday.  I didn't want to test it out but I would imagine, given the cold forcast for this week, we will be able to be on it again soon.  Let me know if you went out recently, that would give me more confidence  ;D
Title: Re: Ice Update?
Post by: Icetester on March 03, 2013, 12:19:26 PM
i will try and take a look before day ends. i will be by wellington, and will get a chance to check that as well.