The state of Ohio is one of the most populous states in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Major economic and cultural centers like Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus, are all located in Ohio. The state’s fertile soil supports millions of acres of farmland, making it a major agricultural hub.
With over 200,000 acres of state forest land, Ohio is a place where natural beauty abounds. The Buckeye State also has its share of inland lakes. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Ohio has 110 inland lakes that are 5 acres or larger.
While the number of lakes in Ohio pales in comparison to what you’ll find in neighboring states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, this is more than enough to keep anglers in Ohio happy. And during Ohio’s temperamental winters, these lakes can provide prime spots for ice fishing.
1. Atwood Lake
Ohio is home to several world-famous attractions, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton. About half an hour’s drive south of Canton and near the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line lies Atwood Lake, one of Ohio’s premier ice fishing destinations.
Like quite a few lakes in Ohio and beyond, Atwood Lake was originally built as part of a flood control project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. By building dams across area rivers and creeks, permanent lakes (also known as impoundments) were created.
Atwood Lake covers an area of 1,540 acres, which wouldn’t be very large in the neighboring Great Lake states but is a decent-sized body of water by Ohio standards. With 28 miles of shoreline, there are access points spread all around Atwood Lake to get to your favorite ice fishing spot.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Atwood Lake
Atwood Lake is part of a larger project known as the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD). The goals of the MWCD are to protect public interests from flood threats while promoting conservation and providing areas for recreation.
As far as ice fishing is concerned, these are the species you can target at Atwood Lake:
- Bluegill
- Bullhead
- Channel catfish
- Crappie
- Largemouth bass
- Northern pike
- Saugeye
- Yellow perch
There are a handful of public parking areas around Atwood Lake along with 3 public boat launches. These are good staging areas for a day of ice fishing.
2. Buckeye Lake
There is perhaps no name that is more fitting for a body of water in the state of Ohio than Buckeye Lake. This popular inland lake is about half an hour east of Columbus by car. The city of Columbus is, of course, home to THE Ohio State University and its beloved Buckeyes.
And it just so happens that Buckeye Lake is not only one of Ohio’s oldest and most popular recreational lakes but also ranks among the best locations for ice fishing in the entire state. Here are the vital statistics for Buckeye Lake:
- With a surface area of 2,873 acres, Buckeye Lake is a mid-sized lake by Ohio standards.
- Buckeye Lake is very shallow, with an average depth of 6 feet and just 14 feet at its deepest
- There are roughly 50 miles of shoreline around Buckeye Lake with a number of public access points for getting onto the ice.
Because it is so shallow, Buckeye Lake is one lake in Ohio that is sure to freeze over once the winter weather begins to cooperate. This makes it a popular destination for anglers, not just for ice fishing, but throughout the entire year.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Buckeye Lake
During the autumn months when college football season is in full gear, the famous Horseshoe at the Ohio State University is the hottest ticket in town. But as fall switches over to winter, things are just starting to get going at Buckeye Lake.
These are the top species to target here:
- Saugeye – this fish is a hybrid species that is bred by pairing female walleye with male sauger. Saugeye are easy to sustain, and they are very popular among ice anglers because of their decent size (12 to 30 inches in length and 2 to 14 pounds) and lively activity during the winter months.
- Walleye – this is another popular target at Buckeye Lake. A surefire strategy is jigging small spoons tipped with minnows.
- Panfish – bluegill, crappie, and perch are big draws at this lake during ice fishing season. Get yourself some miniature jigs and top them off with artificial worms for a winning combination.
Another must-have when ice fishing at Buckeye Lake (or any lake in Ohio for that matter) is tip-ups. In the Buckeye State, each angler is allowed up to 6 of these.
3. Lake Erie (East Harbor)
Nestled between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east, East Harbor is one of Ohio’s premier iced fishing destinations. East Harbor is separated from Lake Erie by a 2-mile-long peninsula made up of sandy beaches and rolling sand dunes.
Although it lies just off of Lake Erie, East Harbor itself is quite shallow, ranging from 7 to 11 feet in depth. This helps the ice freeze over faster once winter hits, making this spot more inviting for ice fishing.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Erie (East Harbor)
Being so close to major cities like Toledo and Cleveland, East Harbor is a prime location for anglers in the northern half of the state to satisfy their ice fishing itch. If you’re planning a trip out to East Harbor, here are the top fish species you can expect to find there:
- Just like Lake Erie, its much larger neighbor to the north, the name of the game at East Harbor is walleye. This species is abundant in these waters and is a favorite among anglers who flock to the ice every winter.
- Other fish you can expect to target at East Harbor include various types of panfish, including bluegill, crappie, and perch.
Because it is right next to Lake Erie, many visitors to East Harbor venture on the other side of the peninsula to try their luck on the only Great Lake that reliably forms ice every winter.
If you decide to try your luck on Lake Erie, be prepared to deal with harsh conditions. But your patience may be rewarded with trophy-sized walleye (20 to 28 inches) and perch (10 inches).
4. Mosquito Lake
If you live in the greater Cleveland and Akron areas and haven’t tried ice fishing because you don’t want to drive several hours each way to find a lake, think again. Mosquito Lake is one the best lakes in the entire state for dropping a line through the ice and it is an hour’s drive east of Cleveland and Akron.
Mosquito Lake (also known as the Mosquito Creek Reservoir) is one of the crown jewels of Ohio’s waterway system. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect to find here:
- With a surface area of about 7,200 acres, Mosquito Lake is one of the largest lakes in the state of Ohio.
- Mosquito Lake has 42 miles of shoreline providing public access to the ice from boat launches, marinas, and picnic areas. Most of these, however, are on the western half of the lake as the easternmost part of Mosquito Lake is a protected wildlife refuge.
- Despite its size, Mosquito Lake is not very deep. It ranges from 3 to 16 feet in most places and reaches a maximum of 24 feet at its deepest point.
Because it is located in northern Ohio and within close proximity to Lake Erie, Mosquito Lake is a good bet for being among the first lakes to form ice when winter weather conditions become favorable.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Mosquito Lake
Like many bodies of water throughout the United States, Mosquito Lake was originally constructed as part of a flood control project to protect public interests. The result for anglers, however, is a year-round oasis for fishing that is particularly good during the winters.
These are the top targets at Mosquito Lake:
- Walleye – this is a recurring theme at lakes throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Mosquito Lake is home to a thriving walleye population that typically ranges from 13 to 21 inches in length. Jigging with flashy spoons tipped with minnows is a winning setup.
- Crappie – this is another abundant species in Mosquito Lake. Expect sizes between 10 to 13 inches. The crappie in Mosquito Lake finds minnows sunk to the bottom depths to be irresistible.
- Bluegill – this panfish is a staple of Ohio freshwater fishing and this holds true during the winter months at Mosquito Lake. When dropping a line below the ice for crappie, don’t be surprised if you pull up a healthy bluegill instead.
The next time you find yourself in the Cleveland or Akron areas and you’re interested in finding out what Ohio ice fishing is all about, be sure to set aside some time for a trip out to Mosquito Lake.
5. Piedmont Lake
Piedmont Lake is located deep in the heart of Ohio and nestled among some of the most beautiful woodlands in the entire region. This lake may not be as accessible as those that are closer to urban areas like Columbus, Cleveland, or Toledo, but the quality ice fishing that can be found here is worth the drive.
When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a flood control dam on Stillwater Creek in the 1930s and 40s, Piedmont Lake came into existence. It has become a beloved Ohio destination for fishing, boating, camping, and simply enjoying the great outdoors.
These are the key characteristics of this lake:
- Piedmont Lake has a surface area of 2,368 acres.
- There are about 37 miles of shoreline encircling the lake, but public facilities are limited to two boat ramps and one campsite.
- Like so many lakes throughout Ohio, Piedmont Lake is relatively shallow. Water depths average 3 to 15 feet around most of the basin with a maximum depth of 30 feet.
It is important to remember that because it is part of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s (MWCD) flood control and water conservation activities, water depth can vary in this and other lakes in the MWCD system, especially during times of heavy rain and extreme flood risk.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Piedmont Lake
Piedmont Lake is an angler’s paradise. It is widely considered to be Ohio’s most scenic lake with miles and miles of undisturbed wilderness all around it. Getting to Piedmont Lake may be a bit of a hike for some, but this is a small price to pay for some of the best ice fishing that Ohio has to offer.
Piedmont Lake is a fairly shallow body of water with a winding, twisting shoreline creating a number of small inlets and bends where fish can gather. Especially in parts of the lake where the water levels bottom out at 3 to 8 feet, early ice can lead to great ice fishing.
Here is a sampling of the fish species that can be found in Piedmont Lake:
- Bluegill
- Bullhead
- Channel catfish
- Crappie
- Flathead catfish
- Largemouth bass
- Muskie
- Saugeye
- Smallmouth bass
- Yellow perch
The fact that Piedmont Lake offers some of Ohio’s best ice fishing should come as no surprise. Careful planning, such as submerging structures throughout the lake, has created a perfect habitat where Piedmont Lake’s many fish species can thrive.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources closely monitors the fish population in Piedmont Lake and conducts regular angler surveys to track which species are more heavily targeted. This lake is stocked with muskie and saugeye, and the state record-holding muskie was caught from these waters.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a sports fan or love rock and roll, there is no shortage of things to do in Ohio. But if ice fishing is your game, the Buckeye State has a lot of fun and excitement in store for you, especially if you know where to go.
SOURCES:
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/land-water/inland-lakes/natural-lakes-ohio
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/atwood-lake-fishing-area
https://www.mwcd.org/places/atwood-lake-park/
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/buckeye-lake-fishing-area
https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/wildlife/maps/buckeyelake2.pdf
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/recreational-safety/ice-fishing-safety
https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/animals/fish/saugeye
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/east-harbor-state-park
https://www.briarwoodclub.com/late-winter-fishing-opportunites-in-ohio/amp/
https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/wildlife/maps/mosquitocreeklake2.pdf
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/mosquito-creek-lake-fishing-area
https://www.takemefishing.org/blog/december-2022/ice-fishing-lakes-in-ohio/
https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/wildlife/maps/piedmontlake2.pdf
https://www.mwcd.org/visit-our-lakes/activities/fishing/
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/piedmont-lake-fishing-area
