T_boy
04-29-2009, 06:59 PM
Central Ohio
Deer Creek Lake (Fayette, Madison, and Pickaway Counties) In the creek above the lake just north of Cooks-Yankeetown Road, use small jigs and twisters or small rooster tails when seeking white bass. Most of these fish will measure eight to 12 inches. This is their spawning period, which causes them to be active and offers great fishing. Crappie can be caught around submerged woody cover using minnows suspended under a bobber. Crappie must be nine inches long or longer to keep. Channel catfish can be taken on chicken livers, shrimp, night crawlers and cut shad.
Madison Lake (Madison County) This 104-acre lake southwest of Columbus is a good place to pick up some spring crappie. Use jigs or minnows suspended by a bobber around wood. Fish will move north and shallower as the water warms. Many fish are over 10 inches with some 13 inches long. Channel catfish are also plentiful in this lake. Fish cut bait around wood, and target the creek mouth after a rain event. Only electric motors are allowed.
Northwest Ohio
Maumee River (Lucas and Wood Counties) The water temperature is 59 degrees, the water is muddy and a normal levels. A good number of walleye males have been taken with many limits. Blue Grass Island is accessible now. Remember the minimum size limit of 15 inches. A fair number of quillback and white bass are being caught now.
Sandusky River (Sandusky County) The water temperature is 64 degrees and the water levels are low. Limits of walleye are being taken. White perch and buffalo carp are being taken now as well.
Findlay Reservoir No. 2 (Hancock County) The water temperature is 52 degrees. Yellow perch are being taken during the daytime by jigging minnows at a depth of 12 to 15 feet. Crappie are also being taken during the daytime by jigging minnows and chartreuse twister tails at a depth of 12 to 15 feet.
Fostoria Reservoir No. 4 (Hancock County) The water temperature is 52 degrees. Crappie are being taken during the daytime by jigging minnows and chartreuse twister tails at a depth of 12 to 15 feet.
Northeast Ohio
Region Wide (northeast Ohio) Spring warming trends are prompting excellent opportunities across the region. Anglers have reported excellent catches of crappie in many reservoirs. Small jigs or minnows fished around brush piles or fallen trees have been consistently productive. Channel catfish are also biting well in shallow, rapidly warming backwater areas, on a variety of natural baits including night crawlers, chicken liver, and cut fish. Nightime fishing produces the most success for catfish anglers. Largemouth bass fishing has been dependant on weather, with excellent catches reported during stable warming periods and immediately before cold fronts. A variety of artificial lures have been effective for largemouth bass.
Berlin Lake (Portage, Mahoning, and Stark counties) Crappie fishing should be picking up at this lake located on state Route 224, north of Alliance. Most crappie are ranging from 8 to 11 inches. A jig tipped with a minnow, a twister-tail type jig, or just a minnow under a bobber works wonders around underwater habitat during spawning time (mid to late May). Unlimited horsepower.
Lower Killbuck Creek (Holmes and Wayne counties) South of state Route 62 on the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, anglers can catch northern pike on creek chubs. A simple slip bobber set up at two and a half to three feet deep works well.
Mahoning River (Stark County) Anglers can catch white bass while fishing with minnows in Alliance. Fishing the dam near the intersection of E. Gaskill Street and Apple Avenue usually produces good numbers. Limited parking is available at a pull-off area or nearby Early Hill Park on Vine Street. Parking and fishing access is also available near the bike trail off of E. Gaskill Street, just east of state Route 225/Union Avenue.
Mogadore Reservoir (Portage County) Dock renovations have been ongoing as part of an Eagle Scout project, undertaken with the assistance of local Scout Troop 559. Two docks (at Congress Lake Road and the Boathouse on state Route 43) have already been replaced. Ice damage during the previous winter, combined with continued wear-and-tear, has left the two remaining older docks on Lansinger Road unserviceable. These docks will be closed on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The renovations will be completed on Saturday and access will again be available by Sunday. Questions may be directed to Wildlife District Three, fish management at (330) 644-2293.
Southwest Ohio
Adams Lake (Adams County) To kick off Free Fishing Days the Adams County Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold a youth fishing event on Saturday, May 2. The event is free to youth and the club will supply fishing gear and refreshments. The Division of Wildlife will provide a portable air rifle range for the youth. On Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, anglers may fish any of the states public waters without a license. The lake was stocked on March 13 with rainbow trout and anglers are still reporting limits, five fish, taken from the lake as well as crappie and largemouth bass. Bass are being taken on pumpkinseed jigs.
Acton Lake (Preble and Butler Counties) Anglers are catching crappie. The outlook is excellent and success is reported on the east shoreline along the brush and fallen trees and at the south end of the lake by the dam. The crappie range from 8 to 11 inches and are being caught all day on live minnows under a bobber.
Lake Loramie (Auglaize and Shelby Counties) The annual free fishing derby will be held at Lake Loramie State Park Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. - noon. Its for anyone 17 and younger. Sign up at the park, camp office or Spillway Bait or come to the west bank ramp at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. For information, call (937) 295-2011.
Paint Creek Lake (Highland County) Crappie are biting from one side of the lake to the other in 3 to 10 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Look for wood and rocks. Bass are hitting black jigs with blue pork at 5 to 7 feet. In the spillway, plenty of saugeye are being caught on chartreuse twisters. Crappie are hitting minnows. White bass are in the creeks, hitting minnows and shiny spinners.
Indian Creek Wildlife Area (Brown County) Bluegill and sunfish are being taken by anglers using red worms, earthworms, or wax worms. Keep the bait about two to three feet deep. The Family Fishing Pond is best and is marked and accessible from Campbell Road in the wildlife area.
Southeast Ohio
Piedmont Lake (Belmont County) Saugeye in the 16 to 20-inch range are being taken near the dam by shore and boat anglers. Best fishing is at dusk or dawn or all day if there is cloud cover. Most fish are being taken on jig and minnows fished six to eight feet deep using a slip bobber. Fair numbers of black crappies are being taken in the same area by the same method. A few largemouth bass from 12 to 15 inches are being caught on spinner baits fished slowly in shallow water.
Seneca Lake (Guernsey County) Water conditions are slightly turbid and at normal pool. Largemouth bass are being caught on spinner baits and plastic worms in the shallow coves. Saugeye in the 16 to 17-inch range are just starting to bite on jigs tipped with minnows fished on the points and flats in eight to 12 feet of water. A few channel cats up to 20 inches are also being taken on minnows and night crawlers fished near shore.
Lake Erie
Through April 30, the walleye bag limit reduces to 4 fish per day, returning to 6 fish per day on May 1. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.
The daily bag limit for Lake Erie yellow perch is 25 fish per angler in waters west of the Huron pier. The limit will remain at 30 fish per angler in Ohio waters from Huron eastward. Any boats landing west of Huron, Ohio will be subject to the 25 fish daily bag limit, while boats landing at Huron or points east will be subject to a 30 fish daily bag limit. Shore-based anglers west of the Huron pier will be subject to a 25 fish daily bag limit, while those on the pier and eastward will remain at 30 fish daily.
Through May 15, the steelhead trout daily bag limit is 2 fish. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches.
The black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) daily bag limit is 5 fish through April 30, with a 14-inch minimum size limit. May 1 through June 26 is closed to possession (catch and release only) with the limit returning to 5 fish on June 27.
Western Basin Walleye fishing was excellent when weather allowed during the week of 4/20/09. Walleye were caught by anglers jigging on the Camp Perry reef complex and in Maumee Bay. Trollers caught fish between Kelleys Island and North Bass Island. Limited perch fishing success has been reported around Kelleys Island and Marblehead.
Based on the nearshore marine forecast the water temperature is 52 off of Toledo and 47 off of Cleveland.
Ohio River
Pike Island Dam (Jefferson/Belmont County line) Anglers are catching four to five-pound smallmouth bass on 3/16-ounce jig heads with three-inch Sassy Shads. For anglers used to catching Lake Erie smallies, these fish tend to be slimmer but no less exciting to catch. Sauger and walleyes are finished spawning in this area. Creel clerks are visiting the area from time to time, surveying anglers on species targeted, species harvested, sizes of fish caught and more. This survey is voluntary but only takes a few minutes. The Division of Wildlife appreciates anglers cooperation with these surveys which help improve fishing access and opportunity throughout the state.
Cincinnati Area Water levels are still high but beginning to drop. Water temperatures remain cool. Anglers are reporting some success in the tributaries on worms as well as twister tails tipped with minnows. Catches are mostly bluegill and white bass.
Sauger fishing continues to be good in the Racine tailwaters with most fish ranging from eight to 12 inches and some fish more than 15 inches. Try white, chartreuse, salt and pepper or orange twister tails or grubs. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is starting to pick up. Most fish are in the 10 to 12-inch range and are being caught along the walkway and the riprap at Racine. Hybrid striped bass fishing remains somewhat slow. Casting plastic shad, white grubs or small bucktails in the swift current may yield some fish.
Deer Creek Lake (Fayette, Madison, and Pickaway Counties) In the creek above the lake just north of Cooks-Yankeetown Road, use small jigs and twisters or small rooster tails when seeking white bass. Most of these fish will measure eight to 12 inches. This is their spawning period, which causes them to be active and offers great fishing. Crappie can be caught around submerged woody cover using minnows suspended under a bobber. Crappie must be nine inches long or longer to keep. Channel catfish can be taken on chicken livers, shrimp, night crawlers and cut shad.
Madison Lake (Madison County) This 104-acre lake southwest of Columbus is a good place to pick up some spring crappie. Use jigs or minnows suspended by a bobber around wood. Fish will move north and shallower as the water warms. Many fish are over 10 inches with some 13 inches long. Channel catfish are also plentiful in this lake. Fish cut bait around wood, and target the creek mouth after a rain event. Only electric motors are allowed.
Northwest Ohio
Maumee River (Lucas and Wood Counties) The water temperature is 59 degrees, the water is muddy and a normal levels. A good number of walleye males have been taken with many limits. Blue Grass Island is accessible now. Remember the minimum size limit of 15 inches. A fair number of quillback and white bass are being caught now.
Sandusky River (Sandusky County) The water temperature is 64 degrees and the water levels are low. Limits of walleye are being taken. White perch and buffalo carp are being taken now as well.
Findlay Reservoir No. 2 (Hancock County) The water temperature is 52 degrees. Yellow perch are being taken during the daytime by jigging minnows at a depth of 12 to 15 feet. Crappie are also being taken during the daytime by jigging minnows and chartreuse twister tails at a depth of 12 to 15 feet.
Fostoria Reservoir No. 4 (Hancock County) The water temperature is 52 degrees. Crappie are being taken during the daytime by jigging minnows and chartreuse twister tails at a depth of 12 to 15 feet.
Northeast Ohio
Region Wide (northeast Ohio) Spring warming trends are prompting excellent opportunities across the region. Anglers have reported excellent catches of crappie in many reservoirs. Small jigs or minnows fished around brush piles or fallen trees have been consistently productive. Channel catfish are also biting well in shallow, rapidly warming backwater areas, on a variety of natural baits including night crawlers, chicken liver, and cut fish. Nightime fishing produces the most success for catfish anglers. Largemouth bass fishing has been dependant on weather, with excellent catches reported during stable warming periods and immediately before cold fronts. A variety of artificial lures have been effective for largemouth bass.
Berlin Lake (Portage, Mahoning, and Stark counties) Crappie fishing should be picking up at this lake located on state Route 224, north of Alliance. Most crappie are ranging from 8 to 11 inches. A jig tipped with a minnow, a twister-tail type jig, or just a minnow under a bobber works wonders around underwater habitat during spawning time (mid to late May). Unlimited horsepower.
Lower Killbuck Creek (Holmes and Wayne counties) South of state Route 62 on the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, anglers can catch northern pike on creek chubs. A simple slip bobber set up at two and a half to three feet deep works well.
Mahoning River (Stark County) Anglers can catch white bass while fishing with minnows in Alliance. Fishing the dam near the intersection of E. Gaskill Street and Apple Avenue usually produces good numbers. Limited parking is available at a pull-off area or nearby Early Hill Park on Vine Street. Parking and fishing access is also available near the bike trail off of E. Gaskill Street, just east of state Route 225/Union Avenue.
Mogadore Reservoir (Portage County) Dock renovations have been ongoing as part of an Eagle Scout project, undertaken with the assistance of local Scout Troop 559. Two docks (at Congress Lake Road and the Boathouse on state Route 43) have already been replaced. Ice damage during the previous winter, combined with continued wear-and-tear, has left the two remaining older docks on Lansinger Road unserviceable. These docks will be closed on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The renovations will be completed on Saturday and access will again be available by Sunday. Questions may be directed to Wildlife District Three, fish management at (330) 644-2293.
Southwest Ohio
Adams Lake (Adams County) To kick off Free Fishing Days the Adams County Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold a youth fishing event on Saturday, May 2. The event is free to youth and the club will supply fishing gear and refreshments. The Division of Wildlife will provide a portable air rifle range for the youth. On Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, anglers may fish any of the states public waters without a license. The lake was stocked on March 13 with rainbow trout and anglers are still reporting limits, five fish, taken from the lake as well as crappie and largemouth bass. Bass are being taken on pumpkinseed jigs.
Acton Lake (Preble and Butler Counties) Anglers are catching crappie. The outlook is excellent and success is reported on the east shoreline along the brush and fallen trees and at the south end of the lake by the dam. The crappie range from 8 to 11 inches and are being caught all day on live minnows under a bobber.
Lake Loramie (Auglaize and Shelby Counties) The annual free fishing derby will be held at Lake Loramie State Park Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. - noon. Its for anyone 17 and younger. Sign up at the park, camp office or Spillway Bait or come to the west bank ramp at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. For information, call (937) 295-2011.
Paint Creek Lake (Highland County) Crappie are biting from one side of the lake to the other in 3 to 10 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Look for wood and rocks. Bass are hitting black jigs with blue pork at 5 to 7 feet. In the spillway, plenty of saugeye are being caught on chartreuse twisters. Crappie are hitting minnows. White bass are in the creeks, hitting minnows and shiny spinners.
Indian Creek Wildlife Area (Brown County) Bluegill and sunfish are being taken by anglers using red worms, earthworms, or wax worms. Keep the bait about two to three feet deep. The Family Fishing Pond is best and is marked and accessible from Campbell Road in the wildlife area.
Southeast Ohio
Piedmont Lake (Belmont County) Saugeye in the 16 to 20-inch range are being taken near the dam by shore and boat anglers. Best fishing is at dusk or dawn or all day if there is cloud cover. Most fish are being taken on jig and minnows fished six to eight feet deep using a slip bobber. Fair numbers of black crappies are being taken in the same area by the same method. A few largemouth bass from 12 to 15 inches are being caught on spinner baits fished slowly in shallow water.
Seneca Lake (Guernsey County) Water conditions are slightly turbid and at normal pool. Largemouth bass are being caught on spinner baits and plastic worms in the shallow coves. Saugeye in the 16 to 17-inch range are just starting to bite on jigs tipped with minnows fished on the points and flats in eight to 12 feet of water. A few channel cats up to 20 inches are also being taken on minnows and night crawlers fished near shore.
Lake Erie
Through April 30, the walleye bag limit reduces to 4 fish per day, returning to 6 fish per day on May 1. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.
The daily bag limit for Lake Erie yellow perch is 25 fish per angler in waters west of the Huron pier. The limit will remain at 30 fish per angler in Ohio waters from Huron eastward. Any boats landing west of Huron, Ohio will be subject to the 25 fish daily bag limit, while boats landing at Huron or points east will be subject to a 30 fish daily bag limit. Shore-based anglers west of the Huron pier will be subject to a 25 fish daily bag limit, while those on the pier and eastward will remain at 30 fish daily.
Through May 15, the steelhead trout daily bag limit is 2 fish. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches.
The black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) daily bag limit is 5 fish through April 30, with a 14-inch minimum size limit. May 1 through June 26 is closed to possession (catch and release only) with the limit returning to 5 fish on June 27.
Western Basin Walleye fishing was excellent when weather allowed during the week of 4/20/09. Walleye were caught by anglers jigging on the Camp Perry reef complex and in Maumee Bay. Trollers caught fish between Kelleys Island and North Bass Island. Limited perch fishing success has been reported around Kelleys Island and Marblehead.
Based on the nearshore marine forecast the water temperature is 52 off of Toledo and 47 off of Cleveland.
Ohio River
Pike Island Dam (Jefferson/Belmont County line) Anglers are catching four to five-pound smallmouth bass on 3/16-ounce jig heads with three-inch Sassy Shads. For anglers used to catching Lake Erie smallies, these fish tend to be slimmer but no less exciting to catch. Sauger and walleyes are finished spawning in this area. Creel clerks are visiting the area from time to time, surveying anglers on species targeted, species harvested, sizes of fish caught and more. This survey is voluntary but only takes a few minutes. The Division of Wildlife appreciates anglers cooperation with these surveys which help improve fishing access and opportunity throughout the state.
Cincinnati Area Water levels are still high but beginning to drop. Water temperatures remain cool. Anglers are reporting some success in the tributaries on worms as well as twister tails tipped with minnows. Catches are mostly bluegill and white bass.
Sauger fishing continues to be good in the Racine tailwaters with most fish ranging from eight to 12 inches and some fish more than 15 inches. Try white, chartreuse, salt and pepper or orange twister tails or grubs. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is starting to pick up. Most fish are in the 10 to 12-inch range and are being caught along the walkway and the riprap at Racine. Hybrid striped bass fishing remains somewhat slow. Casting plastic shad, white grubs or small bucktails in the swift current may yield some fish.