Buckeye Angler Fishing Report

[buckeye angler]

NE OHIO HARDWATER FORECAST

Safe, fish able ice is never a guarantee in the curious climes of northeastern Ohio but we do seem in the midst of a period of reliable ice over the past several years. These things seem to go in 5-10 year trends as, previous to the recent period of "icevantageous" conditions. An indication of the residual effects of the previous five or so years of little or no ice angling might be reflected in the relatively disappointing catch-rates the past two or three winters despite long stretches of thick ice just about everywhere,including Lake Erie,which has seen a resurgence of fly-in parties,an aspect of the sport in our area that had become for a time become the stuff of nostalgic memories. I believe the reason that the catches the last three years have not approached the glory days of Mogadore past and memories of Mosquito's glory days might well be traced to the gap in these icey periods wherein ice anglers seem to lose their edge, not unlike a bassin' man loses his touch with soft plastics over the winter before regaining it after a few times out.

Most ice anglers simply don't return to their sport with the frequency of fair-weather anglers, thereby rendering the return of the knack needed for consistent success less likely, a situation I'd wager you'd see largely reversed in Minnesota or Canada.

These hot spot tips for the ice fishing season might just help eliminate another variable to consider-where to go for what-while serious ice anglers look to spend proportionately more time atop there favorite locale.

A quick glance at the upcoming long-range weather forecast portends an early sheet of ice forming over area waters as early as next week, clearly a foundation to build on.


CATFISH
BERLIN-and those favored haunts, as near as possible to the old ramp, will be that much easier to home in on during the winter drawdown.
Honorable Mention:Mosquito,Milton.
BLUEGILL
MOGADORE-actually redears, of course.And not always all that deep...
Honorable Mention:Portage Lakes,LaDue.
CRAPPIE
MOSQUITO-two suggestions:off the cemetery and along Pikie Bay.
Honorable Mention:Mogadore, Nimisila,West Branch,Berlin.
PERCH
MOGADORE-not the potential of Lake Erie, but not the work and expense, either.
Honorable Mention:Lake Erie,LaDue.
TROUT
PUNDERSON-remains a stunningly under fished treasure.
Honorable Mention:Lake Erie, Silver Creek.
WALLEYE
LAKE ERIE-past two years were not banner ones, but watch the locals in particular narrow down locations this season.
Honorable Mention:Mosquito,Milton,LaDue.
And-as always-safety first!

add addendum/jkNE OHIO HARDWATER FORECAST

[Links r Us]

-Thanks for the report! :)

[Links r Us]

-here's a older one that I missed - a good read too...

Story by D'Arcy Egan

Perched on the shores of Lake Erie and overlooking a variety of rivers and streams, Cleveland is one of the best locations in the nation for urban anglers. There is a good reason for the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail to make a stop in Cleveland this summer. The top anglers in the nation will feast on plentiful Lake Erie walleye from July 21-23.

For Cleveland anglers, more important are the amazing schools of yellow perch that tantalize near-shore anglers from spring through fall. With easy access for small boats from the Emerald Necklace launch ramp on the Rocky River and the launch ramps at Edgewater and East 72nd Street parks in the Cleveland Lakefront State Park, perch are a mainstay for Cleveland area fishermen.

The best downtown perch fishing reports, and the top price for emerald shiner minnows for perch fishing, can be found at Sone's Live Bait (216-431-9090). The only Cleveland-area party fishing boats for perch fishermen can be found at Wildwood State Park Marina (216-481-5771).

Cleveland Harbor is known for its fertile waters. The angler's bag there can include yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rock bass, white bass, smelt, walleye, carp, sheepshead, crappies and bluegills.

Anglers from around the country have discovered the amazing steelhead trout fishing in and around the area. The big trout are raised in the Ohio Division of Wildlife's Castalia State Fish Hatchery near Sandusky and about 400,000 are released in the streams when they're a year old.

Steelhead trout quickly head for Lake Erie to become a summertime bonus for walleye and yellow perch fishermen. When they return to the streams in fall, they provide the best trout this side of the Pacific Northwest.

One of the top steelhead trout streams in the Midwest, and one that offers an amazing amount of angler access, is the Rocky River. This urban stream on Cleveland's West Side winds through the Emerald Necklace of the Cleveland Metroparks, and attracts an army of fishermen during the cold-weather months.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife has weekly updates about Lake Erie and northern Ohio stream fishing at www.ohiodnr.com, where fishing regulations and licenses also can be checked. Ohio's fishing and hunting licenses all have a March 1 start date and are good until Feb. 8, when new licenses are needed.

The Cleveland Metroparks also provide stream trout fishermen with a bonus of stockings each spring in the East Branch of the Rocky River. The Ohio Division of Wildlife adds trout to various Metroparks lakes, including the pond at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, Wallace Lake in Berea and Hinckley Lake in Hinckley.

Reservoirs that are within an easy drive of Cleveland include:

LaDue Reservoir, where only electric motors are allowed;

Mosquito Reservoir in Trumbull County;

the Portage Lakes chain in Summit County;

Clear Fork Reservoir in Richland County and Leesville Lake in Carroll County, both muskie-laden.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

degan@plaind.com, 216-999-6136


© 2004 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.

http://www.cleveland.com/neoguide/index.ssf?/neoguide/more/1085166935283270.html

[jack kiser]

Thanks so much to those of you at ohiosportsman.com who have already contacted us with such nice comments about our articles,etc.
Our plan is to send out our articles first to this site BEFORE they even run in the newspapers or magazine(s).I overlooked mentioning that some of our other articles,films and fotos are available at buckeyeangler.com until and beyond getting things solidified and methods of e-mailing etc. to and from ourselves to Steve and all you new friends at this outstanding site.

Merry Christmas To All Of You!
Jack Kiser