PORT CLINTON, Ohio — Before the sun rises on a February morning, a group of dedicated ice fishers journeys out onto Lake Erie.
What You Need To Know
Ice fishing season on Lake Erie lasts anywhere from a couple of weeks to two months
This year, ice fishers have been taking advantage after arctic temperatures froze a majority of the lake
The area near Port Clinton is known for its great walleye supply, and the islands and shallow waters help keep the ice from breaking up
Once Lake Erie freezes, locals who live on the islands near Port Clinton are entirely reliant on air travel
“You got to be a little bit crazy, you got to be a little bit obsessed, because it’s not for the faint of heart,” said John Fickert, one of those ice fishers.
As the sun starts to poke out over the horizon, Fickert makes camp.
“We’re many miles offshore, really desolate, really peaceful,” he said.
On Lake Erie, the ice fishing season lasts anywhere from two weeks to two months. During that time, Fickert goes every chance he gets.
“Probably as soon as I could walk, I was out here fishing with my dad,” Fickert said, lighting up when he recalls old memories. “Those were the good ol’ days when I’d get out of school, and he’d haul me out here.”
Ice fisher John Fickert set’s up his gear as the sun rises on Lake Erie. (Spectrum News 1/Corey O’Leary)
Using a fish finder, he puts two rods in and can see when fish are near.
“These are fish swimming across; do you see them?” he asks, pointing to two slender blobs on the screen of the fish finder.
However, after seeing a few fish, none of them wanted to bite.
“He’s there, but he just won’t quite do it,” Fickert said.
Often, it’s a waiting game, and you don’t always get lucky.
“It’s just kind of unpredictable,” Fickert explains, adding that there was one day this year when he caught nothing.
He fishes around the Port Clinton area, near Put-in-Bay and Kelley’s Island. The ice on Lake Erie drastically transforms that area both visually and economically.
No one knows that better than Dustin Schaffer, owner of Island Air Taxi in Port Clinton.
“In the winter, it’s like a light switch when the boats quit,” Schaffer said. “In the winter, it’s the only way.”
Once the ferries stop running because of the ice, all travel to and from this island have to be done by air.
“We have a lot of ice fishermen. There’s islanders, I fly teachers, there’s school kids that I transport back and forth,” Shaffer explained.
In February, fishermen’s huts dot the lake, with the area known as one of the best places to catch walleye.
Ice fishing huts dot Lake Erie. (Spectrum News 1/Corey O’Leary)
On the ground, Fickert finds a new place to set up after a couple of hours with no bites. This year, he didn’t get to come out with his father.
“He passed away last year,” Fickert said.
Fickert said he spread some of his father’s ashes across the frozen lake. Now, he uses his father’s snowmobile and gear.
Ice fishing is an activity he’ll always associate with his father, even when he’s not catching anything.
John Fickert and his father. (Spectrum News 1/Corey O’Leary)
“Not a good sign… very negative mood,” Fickert said after a fish came near his lure but quickly swam away.
After a day where there were no bites, and right before he was planning to head back to shore, a fish finally bit.
“We’ve been waiting all day for her,” Fickert said, laughing.
But ask any ice fisher, it’s not all about the fish.
“The draw to it is just the rareness of it,” Fickert said. “It’s more like a treat when you get to do it.”