AKRON, OH – Many northeast Ohio anglers consider the combination of falling snow and dipping temperatures a recipe for hanging up the fishing equipment until Spring. There is a unique segment of the outdoorsmen and women however who are eager to trek outside and brave the cold in order to catch some fish according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.         

“More adventurous anglers can catch a variety of fish including yellow perch, sunfish like bluegills, red-ears, and pumpkinseed, crappie, walleye, and in a few places, even northern pike,” said Phil Hillman, fish management supervisor for Division of Wildlife in northeast Ohio. Most lakes and ponds that anglers fish in the warmer months are just as good in the winter, so with a little skill and knowledge about fishing on the frozen water, you can be reeling in fish in no time.

            “Learning about the body of water to be fished, necessary equipment to take along, how to dress properly, and most importantly, knowing safety precautions are all components of a pleasant winter fishing experience,” noted Hillman.  

Equipment:   Some basic tools you will need before you hit the hard water. bait bucket, dip net, flashers, depth finders, or underwater cameras to see what lies beneath the ice, gaff hook, hook disgorger, ice auger, ice chisel, ice fishing rods (short, with or without a spring type bobber), jigging spoons or other similar lures (Rapala jigs, Sonars, Vibe-E’s) for predacious fish, live bait such as minnow (for larger fish) or wax worms (for smaller fish), seat, skimmer, sled for transporting equipment, “tip-ups” (tripping mechanisms which send up a flag on a strike), “pin-mins” (small ice jigs that can be tipped with live bait).