Buckeye Lake freezes fast

[Cold-Foot]

If our time in ohio to ice fish is short one of the best lakes to fish is Buckeye lake.
Just east of Columbus. It's shallow at about 8' deep at deepest point and full of fish.  saugeye and perch being the best. flat and open area the wind helps the ice get safe quicker than most lakes. Bait shops are open and will point you to the most common fished areas. Check it out.

[John_Boy]

Hey Cold foot
If you live near there and have the time, could you please keep me posted on the ice ? I live about an hour north and want to try it this year if the water level drops . Have a good one . 
                                                        John

[Cold-Foot]

Sure thing John Boy, I have a couple contacts that I call on to get ice info up by Buckeye  Lake. In the past a weeks worth of temps in the teens to 20's with a little wind and you can get out on it. I'm about an hour to the east of there. I'll update this listing as soon as I get good news.

[John_Boy]

Thanks Cold-Foot
I'm ready to jump on a moments notice !!!!  I just hope the water receeds before it freezes .   
                                                   John

[blue mule]

hey john, i'll be right behind ya!

[John_Boy]

Hey blue mule
 I checked some ponds yesterday and didn't find any safe ice . Also i walked out on apple valley lake it's 1 1/2" by the power lines , also alot of open water yet . Would love to go to buckeye lake for some eyes . Lets hope the cold stays for a while . Should have fishable ice this weekend .
                                                              John

[Cold-Foot]

update !!! most of lake covered with ice at about 2" so now wind won't cause wind waves to brake up ice. Locals expect by end of January ice safe to travel on if weather forcast holds true. At some locations they use bubbler's (pumped air) to oxygenate lake water to keep fish kill from being a problem in shallow water. Stay clear of these areas ( thin or no ice). {Buckeye Supply} closest sporting good store
in area with bait and local info,, Check phone directory.. Maps of Buckeye Lake - Ohio and Web site is on-line. Papa Booze Bar area (sand bar out from local lake bar) great for walleye. Got deepest area and sand bar flat to catch lurking saugeye.
Next update coming soon  ...

[blue mule]

thanks for the info cold foot.will the high water have anything to do with the ice? a guy at work said high water was a problem at buckeye. from what i've seen, all the flood control lakes won't be fishable this year. looks like farm ponds and gravel pits. (got some lined up). the grandkids are wanting to go bad.

[Cold-Foot]

I'm afraid the floods we had acorss the state will have a negitve inpack on the biggest part of Ohio's lakes and ponds. To what degree, who knows.  For sure it will cause a muddy or stained waters and cracked layered ice along the edge of the lakes and ponds. We would been much better off if the water would have receeded before the good cold weather finally rolled in.

[John_Boy]

Hey guys
Just wanted to pass on a word of warning . I heard they plucked a guy out of Alum Creek yesterday . The rain and flooding defenitly had a negative impact on good safe ice . The pond i've been fishing on may have 4" of ice in one spot and one step away it has 1" . Just be carful !   
                                                     John

[Gator-Bait]

Take your spud bar and keep checking the ice. live to fish another day!!!

[ice cube]

Big Cat and I were on a farm pond yesterday and found the same. Some places were thin and others were around 3". Only fished for couple hrs and nothing bit.
Blue Mule, have you had much luck up your way? If the weather holds up maybe we could get on apple valley next Sunday the 30th. Let me know.

[blue mule]

ice cube, i checked apple valley friday. there was open water from king beach westward. i called the bait shop at knox lake and they said some people were out. son in law and i went over this morning and found ice between 3-6 in. it got to cracking so we went to the gravel pit i fished over Christmas and found the same thing. we decided beer and football might be safer. hopefully next week?

[LIMPY]

Cold Foot ,
I Have Only Seen You On This Lake Once In My Life.
And Then You Were So Cold You Could Not Even Talk.
Let Alone Fish.