Buffalo ice fishermen pull in first catch of the year

Ole' Man Winter certainly had it's grip on Western New York over the past week. When you mix in cold and snow, ice cubes begin to develop out on Lake Erie. 

In fact, a quarter of Lake Erie is covered with ice and slush. Most of the ice is located on the shallower side of the lake near Cleveland.

Our end has a mix of ice and slush.  A sheet of ice has developed within the breakwall near downtown Buffalo. If you're daring enough to take a chance, there are a few spots around the area where the ice is solid enough to walk on. 

It's important to tread with caution, however. Most of the ice isn't thick enough to walk on yet. You need at least 3-4 inches of solid ice to do so. You'll be able to drive the car out on the ice when it gets to around 8 inches thick (but do so at your own risk!).

A few eager ice fisherman did brave the cold and wind down at Buffalo Harbor State Park Monday in hopes of catching breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Ice fisherman say the ice is around 6 inches thick out on the marina. There were ,however, a few cracks in the ice, as well as some standing water towards the launch area within the marina on Monday. 

What's on the hook you ask? Perch, and plenty of it!  

A January thaw is on the way for all of Western New York. Not exactly what ice fishermen want to hear. Temperatures do drop back down into the 20s and 30s for the weekend. But it won't last.