Ice Fishing on Conway Lake

Recently, Conaway Run Lake, at the Wildlife Management Area received a stocking of trout for those that like catching their Sunday dinner in the,“hard water.” Whether you just want to get out of the house or with the snow accumulations being a little deep for rabbit or squirrel hunting, ice fishing can offer some relaxation while getting outdoors. The ice on the lake is about 3-4 inches thick and considered safe for the sport. One inch of ice is considered safe forlight foot travel on small streams and impoundments.The WMA lake at Conaway should be about right for some cool fishing. I talked with some of the local trout fisherman and their luck was pretty good. There are other impoundments that received a stocking of trout recently, but Conaway Run Lake is about all the area has to offer in the way of fishing, for now. There is also fishing on the Ohio River for other species with some open water. Also, if you’re like some of us that enjoy a good Musky on the other end of your line, you can find some open water in the area, but getting your plug or swim-bait presented to the mighty fish is a little trickier.

One thing to consider when deciding to fish on the ice of course is safety. A little preparation can mean the difference between life and death. Hypothermia is a concern if you get a little wet or just don’t dress to suit the conditions. Always dress in layers, with a change of dry clothes in your vehicle and have a way to get warmed-up if you get wet. Also, frostbite can get your digits damaged if you don’t protect them properly. One big concern is cold feet. Even if you have waterproof boots that are well insulated, one can over-react and crowd your feet with double socks and lace-up your boots too tightly. A little common-sense when preparing goes a long way towards your safety. Another thing to be concerned about is Ice-Out, or when the ice is considered unsafe during the end of a cold spell. Just like in hunting have a plan, tell a family member or friend where you are going and when you plan to return. That way they will know where to look for you if you do not return as noted.A length of rope, some hot liquids, and a piece of insulation to stand on is smart additions to ice fishing. Some food or snacks would be welcome, too. From what the locals stated, the fishing action was pretty good, but sometimes it can be slow. Sometimes, trout like most fish can be just downright unpredictable, depending on their mood. Action can be turned-on or turned-off in an instant. So, get out there and have some fun catching dinner and pass the time with a friend.