Ice fishermen have a tendency to overindulge. During the mid-January cold spell, even the most uncanny forecaster could have foreseen that fisherman would find ice, choose to walk on it, cast their lines, dip their bait, and hope to reel in a haul of delicious seafood. Nothing, however, exemplifies wintertime on Lake Erie like rescuing a group of fishermen from an ice floe where the more careful among us are afraid to step. After successful operations involving a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, a couple of airboats, and an amphibious vehicle, the rescue count was 20 or 21 (reports vary). The heroes who came to the rescue deserve praise. A rescue operation was necessary early Monday morning in Ottawa County, off Catawba Island State Park, which is northeast of Port Clinton. Conditions barely more persistent than a whim can cause that length of somewhat protected water, hugged by a land contour, to freeze. Like the little summer bugs enticed by a Coleman lantern, fishermen are drawn to the sight of an almost level expanse of ice. Thankfully, the tally of casualties is very different. Warming trends make retreating ice less appealing, so it's probable that Monday's demand for intervention will be resisted. Since the majority of Lake Erie's fish spend the winter in the shallow western basin, it is interesting to note that this is the location where the ice lid always forms first. Freezing doesn't always cover the whole lake or basin—this has been more common in recent years. Open water with a moderate breeze can, and on occasion does, separate large floes from the beach and send them sailing, even when the ice thickens to a point where it can accommodate any plus-size adventurer. Individuals caught up in these rogue floes must face the harsh reality that swimming isn't an option and, moreover, they're still relatively young to perish. This way, at least. Benefits of cell phones do exist. One of these is the fact that, from half a mile away, it is more likely to get a prompt response if you call for help than if you wave your arms. By the way, while some reports did identify the rescued as fishermen, it was far from the majority. Ignored and unreported was the question of whether any of them managed to reel in fish. Up next Local events happening in early February: Come visit the Alum Creek State Park Nature Center on February 3 from 11 a.m. to noon to feed and pet some of the creatures that live there. Reserve a spot in the lot beside the Camp Store. Children should never be left unattended. • On February 9th through the 11th, the Ohio Expo Center's Bricker Multipurpose Building will host a National Fishing Expos event. There will be a plethora of merchants and speakers. Go to nationalfishingexpos.com/columbus/speakers to see all the information. Final images Sunday at sunset in the South Zone, which encompasses the majority of central Ohio, is the end of legal duck, coot, and merganser hunting. On Wednesday, at sunset, squirrel season comes to a close. Additionally, fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum, and weasel hunting and trapping are all out for the season as of Wednesday. Last year, the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked 239 places around the state with over 40.8 million fish, representing 11 different species. As of Tuesday, the total number of deer harvested this archery season was 209,114, which is marginally more than the total harvested at the same point last year. The last 30 minutes after sundown on Sunday will mark the conclusion of Ohio's whitetail deer season.

Rescue efforts launched as ice fishermen from Ohio join the floe

—

by

Jones Miller
in

Ice fishermen tend to overindulge.

During the mid-January cold spell, even the most uncanny forecaster could have foreseen that fishermen would find ice, choose to walk on it, cast their lines, dip their bait, and hope to reel in a haul of delicious seafood.

Nothing, however, exemplifies wintertime on Lake Erie like rescuing a group of fishermen from an ice floe where the more careful among us are afraid to step.

After successful operations involving a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, a couple of airboats, and an amphibious vehicle, the rescue count was 20 or 21 (reports vary).

The heroes who came to the rescue deserve praise.

A rescue operation was necessary early Monday morning in Ottawa County, off Catawba Island State Park, which is northeast of Port Clinton. Conditions barely more persistent than a whim can cause that length of somewhat protected water, hugged by a land contour, to freeze.

Like the little summer bugs enticed by a Coleman lantern, fishermen are drawn to the sight of an almost level expanse of ice. Thankfully, the tally of casualties is very different.

Warming trends make retreating ice less appealing, so Monday’s demand for intervention will probably be resisted.

Since the majority of Lake Erie’s fish spend the winter in the shallow western basin, it is interesting to note that this is the location where the ice lid always forms first. Freezing doesn’t always cover the whole lake or basin—this has been more common in recent years.

Open water with a moderate breeze can, and on occasion do, separate large floes from the beach and send them sailing, even when the ice thickens to a point where it can accommodate any plus-size adventurer.

Individuals caught up in these rogue floes must face the harsh reality that swimming isn’t an option and they’re still relatively young to perish. This way, at least.

The benefits of cell phones do exist. One of these is the fact that, from half a mile away, it is more likely to get a prompt response if you call for help than if you wave your arms.

By the way, while some reports did identify the rescued as fishermen, it was far from the majority. Ignored and unreported was the question of whether any of them managed to reel in fish.

Up next

Local events happening in early February:

  • Come visit the Alum Creek State Park Nature Center on February 3 from 11 a.m. to noon to feed and pet some of the creatures that live there. Reserve a spot in the lot beside the Camp Store. Children should never be left unattended.
  • From February 9th through the 11th, the Ohio Expo Center’s Bricker Multipurpose Building will host a National Fishing Expos event. There will be a plethora of merchants and speakers. Go to nationalfishingexpos.com/columbus/speakers to see all the information.
    Final images

Sunday at sunset in the South Zone, which encompasses the majority of central Ohio, is the end of legal duck, coot, and merganser hunting. On Wednesday, at sunset, squirrel season comes to a close. Additionally, fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum, and weasel hunting and trapping are all out for the season as of Wednesday.

Last year, the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked 239 places around the state with over 40.8 million fish, representing 11 different species. As of Tuesday, the total number of deer harvested this archery season was 209,114, which is marginally more than the total harvested at the same point last year. The last 30 minutes after sundown on Sunday will mark the conclusion of Ohio’s whitetail deer season.

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