BEREA, OH – You know something is awesome if you love it even though you aren’t good at it. That is me with ice fishing. There is just something inherently cool about walking onto the water, drilling a hole, and pulling a fish out of it. I’ve pretty much mastered the first two, but the last is a struggle. The past few years, I’ve invested a little more time online researching and increasing my knowledge base which has improved my on the water success. The culmination of this effort recently was realized with a limit of stocker trout (and some bonus catches) at Wallace Lake. While this day might hardly be a blip on the map for an accomplished ice anger, it probably represents the best I have ever done on an ice outing. I’ll let the pictures tell the story…
Destination
Hopeful anglers
Where my ice fishing photos usually end
A fine Rainbow Trout through the ice
A good looking trout a bit over 14 inches
A somewhat chunky fish around 16 inches
Side by side comparison of the last two fish
A beautiful small fish that was released
Behind every picture is a memory, and I wish somehow I could translate in words just how exciting every catch was. Maybe once I have become more masterful with ice fishing, each catch may not be as meaningful. As it stands right now, any fish caught on the ice is a big deal, and the excitement and ‘newness’ of catching through the ice hasn’t worn off. I can understand why ice fishing has it’s own niche of people who specialize in it and consider it their favorite method to fish. My largest fish of the day put up an amazing spirited fight, and trying to get it head first to the hole and then lift out with my other hand was adrenaline packed fun… and this was just a 16″ fish! After I got it on the ice, the hook came out and it nearly jumped back in the hole. I scooted it away from the hole and it almost slid into another nearby hole… when I finally got it contained I was beyond relieved and just sat there thinking “how much fun is this?!”.
The day was likely the most successful I have ever had on the ice. My confidence is improved. If you’ve read my previous post detailing the Cleveland Metroparks stocking, you know there are some extra special fish swimming in these lakes. This includes some Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout. While these remain my most hoped for catches through the ice, my banner day was not diminished in the slightest because I didn’t encounter one. I just will continue to hope…
Along with the photos included in this post, I did catch a White Crappie and a Bluegill. I missed a good number of bites, and lost one trout at the hole. I made some new friends with nearby anglers and also got to see what had to be one of the biggest catches of the day anywhere on the lake. Near the end of the day, a guy near me landed a Rainbow that was a bit over 18″ and it had some shoulders on it. From covering the stocking, I knew the size potential of a few of the best specimen, and he certainly found one. He was stoked over the catch and I have to imagine any angler with a pulse would be. I was excited just getting to see the catch.
So there you have it, the most fun I’ve ever had on the ice. I can’t wait to get out again!
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