Information About Ice Fishing In Mosquito Lake, Ohio

Rich in walleye, northern pike and panfish, Mosquito Lake, part of Mosquito Lake State Park, is a prime ice fishing destination in northeastern Ohio. Mosquito Lake is Ohio's second largest lake, and when its more than 8,000 acres of water freezes over in the winter, you'll find anglers setting up their tip-ups and shanties waiting to catch the "big one." Enjoy a day spent in the crisp, wintry air, and even if you don't land a record-breaking catch, you could return home with some fresh fish to prepare for a healthy, protein-rich supper.

Equipment

The equipment needed for ice fishing is different than that for warmer weather. You'll need an auger for cutting a hole through the ice and a ladle to scoop up any ice chunks left in the hole. A bait bucket to carry your shiners, fishing tackle, tip-ups and jigging pole should round out your basic equipment. Protect yourself from the elements with the proper cold weather gear. As you walk out across the lake and move between your fishing holes, you will work up a sweat. In very cold weather, large amounts of fluid are lost through exhaled vapor, so remember to stay hydrated.

Keep Moving

Grab your snowshoes and head out onto Mosquito Lake to scout your first hole location. You may want to pull a rubber sled across the ice to carry all your gear. The key to a successful day of ice fishing is mobility. Seasoned anglers never spend much more than 15 minutes in one place if the fish aren't biting. All this walking around through snow and ice will quickly tire you if you haven't brought any healthy snacks. Any physical activity in the cold requires more energy since your body has to work harder to keep itself warm. Good snack options include power or granola bars, and dried fruit and bananas, which stay tasty even if slightly frozen.

Types of Fish

The ultimate reward to a successful day of ice fishing is eating the day's catch. Fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and, according to the American Heart Association, these acids "benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of--or who have--cardiovascular disease." Throughout Ohio, the daily catch limit for walleye is six. Local anglers use live minnow jigs to coax walleyes to bite in the winter. Though bonier than walleyes, northern pike are delicious. There are no daily limits to be considered when fishing for pike. Mosquito Lake is rich in panfish such as crappie and bluegills. However, Ohio gaming regulations require that you throw back any crappies that are less than 9 inches.

Fishing Regulations

Not only does a day on the ice provide for a tasty meal but it requires a fair amount of physical activity as well. However, in order to ice fish, you must obtain a fishing license issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. You can buy these online, from a participating vendor or by mail. Gaming laws limit you to six tip-ups, two handheld rods at one time and ice holes can be no larger than 12 inches. All shelters or shanties, as well as tip-ups, must have the name and the address of the owner displayed in English.

Considerations

Keep yourself safe by verifying ice conditions and thickness. The safest ice is at least five to six inches thick, clear with no visible cracks. Cloudy ice is a result of the ice having thawed and refrozen, is weaker than clear ice formations and is more likely to crack. Exposure to low temperatures and icy winds can result in frostbite and hypothermia. Never ignore shivering, as it's a sign that your body is losing heat. It is important to stay dry as hypothermia may occur quickly if you get wet.