Anglers get antsy waiting for ice-out

Walleye anglers are about to break down their doors in the aftermath of the big blast of winter that blitzed us last weekend, as they know full well they should be out on Mosquito Creek Reservoir right now catching fish.

Mosquito is without doubt the best early-season bet for walleye action, with Pymatuning Reservoir rated pretty much the same. Within a day or two of ice-out, the walleyes start roaming the shallow rocks in search of food and spawning sites.

Trouble is, ice-out’s arrival has been delayed this year and anglers are getting antsy. Soon, for sure, their time will arrive, and Jonathan, a 21-year-old reader in Boardman, wants to be among the ready. He asked for a few suggestions to point his efforts toward spring walleye success.

The hot spots will be the dam at Mosquito and the Ohio 88 causeway. At Pymatuning, anglers will find early action on the midlake causeway. Berlin will yield walleyes to the foot patrol along the U.S. 224 causeway, while Lake Milton’s best early season walleye waters are below the spillway.

The dam at Mosquito is probably the best spot for shore-bound anglers. It offers easy access, is close to deep water, and the rocks are perfect for attracting prespawn walleyes.

It’s best to hit the dam around dusk and fish into the night. The darker it gets, the more the big fish come up to the shallows.

The recommended setup is a light spinning outfit, with 8-pound test line, and a pocketful of 1/8-ounce jigs. Take along some 1/16-ouncers, just in case it’s very calm.

The best fishing is when the wind is blowing right into your face, which means the waves are creating current. Walleyes definitely prefer moving water and will be more active on breezy days and nights. Some of my best March walleye fishing has been when the waves were crashing at my feet. It’s not easy fishing in rough water with the icy wind in your face, but it’s usually productive.

Jigs are best because they let you cover the water more efficiently than still fishing with bait, and they aren’t as costly as Rapalas and other crankbaits that you are sure to lose on the rocks. Experienced spring walleye anglers tip their jigs with 2- to 3-inch minnows.

Cast out the bait, let it sink to the bottom and then work it carefully to avoid snags, yet maintain contact with the bottom. You’ll need to be ticking the rocks, and you’ll lose a lot of jigs, but that’s really a small price to pay for the walleyes.

The keys for the causeway and spillway walleyes are pretty much the same, regardless of the lake. Fish the areas where wind is creating moving water, concentrate on the low-light or after-dark hours, and crawl jigs enticingly around the rocks.

Spring also is wading time for an increasing number of local anglers. They are particularly evident around the perimeter of Mosquito after the ice melts, standing chest-deep in the chilly water and fan-casting — what else? — jigs.

Waders actually are a dead giveaway that the lake bottom around them is perfect for walleyes. The fish have little tolerance for soft, muddy bottoms this time of year, an the waders don’t either. Their feet are much more secure on sand and gravel — the substrates that attract hungry walleyes.

Stock up on the jigs, make sure your reels are spooled with fresh line, and get your fishing clothes ready. We’ve been waiting for months and we certainly don’t want to miss prime time.

The spring walleye fishing — especially the kind that shore-bound anglers can enjoy — won’t last long.

jwwollitz@aol.com