if you are patient and watch craigslist you may find someone who dinot take to ice fishing and find a good deaql like i did two years ago the down side is it may take a drive to get there. Sandusky Cleveland southbend and chicago all have equipment on a regular basis.

David,
   thanks for the response hope the ice cooperates this week but looks iffy do you know how deep the water is and what they are catching. You might want to know the ice here in southwest Wi on the Mississippi is 3 - 6 and weve been catching white bass on raps at 40 feet. If any members make it this way give me a shout i can give you some places to go and how to fish them or at least what worked last time i was there hope to see ya on the ice merry christmas to all    Davek

I am coming to columbus between Xmas and new year and was wondering if there is any ice close we have been fishing in wisconsin since the first of dec