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ODNR Weekly Fishing Reports
by OhioFisher on Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:29 pm
ODNR Fishing Reports-These are updated weekly and come straight for the ODNR website. If you have anything to add to the reports please do so. Also if you see a report before I get around to posting it please let me know.
:note: I will not be posting new reports on a new post. I will erase the last weeks post and put the updated one in its place. THANKS-O.F.
The Fish Ohio Report
October 29, 2008
(Featured Picture From The ODNR) (C)(R)
CENTRAL OHIO
Antrim Lake (Franklin County) – Antrim Lake, on the north side of Columbus, will be stocked with 10 to 13-inch rainbow trout on Thursday, October 30th. A variety of baits prove successful for these hatchery-raised fish. Try corn, cheese, marshmallows or prepared baits such as Power Bait. The bag limit is five trout and anglers 16 and older need to have a fishing license. No boats are permitted at Antrim Lake.
Deer Creek Lake (Fayette and Pickaway counties) - Cool water temperatures have fish more active. For crappie target woody cover in the coves and shallower water, try minnows or jigs suspended under a bobber. Largemouth bass can be caught on spinner baits, crank baits and plastics, fish points and concentrations of gizzard shad. Bluegills are being caught on wax worms and night crawlers. White bass are active around Tick Ridge; look for fish breaking the water surface as they chase gizzard shad, use spinners and jigs.
.
------------------------------
NORTHWEST OHIO
Fostoria Reservoir #2 (Seneca County) – Crappie are being taken during the daylight hours by fishing minnows off of a crappie rig or four feet under a bobber casted from shore. Fishing near structure is being the most successful.
Lake McKarns (Williams County) – Bluegill are being taken in the mornings by still fishing wax worms. The south east corner is producing the best results. One fisherman had 10 bluegills that were in the nine-inch range.
St. Joseph River (Williams County) – Largemouth bass are being caught in the evenings by casting spinners and letting them sink to three to five feet. The best spot seems to be at the County Road R Bridge.
Lake Barton (Williams County) – Largemouth bass are being taken in the mornings by still fishing night crawlers. The north side of the peninsula is the best place to fish for these largemouths.
------------------------------
NORTHEAST OHIO
Tappan Lake (Harrison County)- The hybrid cross between a female walleye and a male sauger- the saugeye- is a fish that can be caught all year round at this 2,132-acre lake. More than 45% of fish sampled by biologists in 2007 measured 14-inches or more. Nearly 30% of these fish were even over 18-inches! Casting Rat-L-Trap style lures or using crankbaits and jigs with minnows into shallow waters at sunrise and sunset should do the trick. Vertical jigging with Sonars, Cicada’s and other jigging type lures around the bridges located on U.S. 250 from mid-October through mid-November can be very effective. Saugeye are attracted to current and with the water level being drawn down at this time, the saugeye congregate at these constriction points, where water current is most noticeable. It’s never too muddy for a saugeye, so try black jigs and twister tails in these conditions. The white crappie outlook is good with many crappie averaging 8.5-inches. Anglers are reminded that there is a nine inch minimum length limit for crappie in this lake to improve fish quality. Wheelchair accessible shoreline facilities available; 299 horsepower limit.
Berlin Reservoir (Portage, Mahoning, and Stark counties)- Although the water is eight feet below summer pool at this 3,321-acre lake, nine to 17-inch walleye are hitting on artificial baits. Anglers are reminded that there is a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye and to please wet hands before gently releasing undersized walleye back into the lake. Crappie are also biting near the U.S. 224 bridge and around downed trees/ underwater structure. White crappies are larger (nine to 11 inches) but fewer while black crappies are numerous (averaging 8.5-inches). Unlimited horsepower.
------------------------------
SOUTHWEST OHIO
The last location in southwest Ohio will be stocked with 10 to 13-inch rainbow trout. Trout fishing provides an exciting fishing experience to anglers. Anglers 16 and over must possess an Ohio fishing license. A statewide bag limit of five trout per person per day applies.
October 31st: Sycamore State Park pond (Montgomery County) – Sycamore State Park is located northwest of Dayton.
Paint Creek (Highland County) – Crappies are being caught by anglers using minnows or jigs as bait. Fish the bait in three to 12 feet of water. Fish the bait around any type of woody structure such as downed trees and overhanging brush and around the campgrounds. A few saugeye are being caught by casting jigs or trolling small crankbaits between the beach and the island and along the hazard area. Bluegills are being caught by anglers using wax worms under a bobber as bait. Fish the bait two to four feet deep. Good fishing spots are back in the coves, near stumps, and around fallen timber.
Caesar Creek Lake (Warren County) – Muskie anglers continue to be successful in the late mornings. Anglers report catching 30 to 40 inch muskie with numerous follows. Try casting large bucktail spinners, jerk baits, or crankbaits around standing or fallen timber in coves or along main lake shorelines. If you catch a musky please report your catch to the Division of Wildlife’s Musky Angler Log at http://www.ohiodnr.com/muskielog/welcome.aspx. The Muskie Angler Log was developed in partnership with the Ohio Muskie Anglers as a resource for Ohio Muskie anglers and to support muskie management efforts in Ohio by providing valuable muskie catch data to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Anglers are catching crappie in 12 to 20 feet of water using minnows under a bobber and casting jigs. Remember, all crappie less than nine inches long must be immediately released back into the lake. Bluegills are being caught by anglers fishing wax worms and redworms around fallen or standing timber in two to five feet of water. Saugeye anglers are starting to catch a few fish from six to 15 feet of water, but most fish are small. Troll medium or deep diving crankbaits along submerged points or underwater humps in the North pool. Cast or drift with live night crawlers on a bottom bouncing harness rig, or use a lead-head jig tipped with a piece of worm. Schools of shad working and jumping on the surface have given anglers opportunities to catch a few white bass. Cast jigs into the schools of shad.
------------------------------
SOUTHEAST OHIO
.
Piedmont Lake (Belmont County) – Saugeye fishing has been good at this 2,273-acre lake. Fish the shallows in the south end of the lake off the CR 100 bridge in the evening or early morning hours. Use rapala jerkbaits or crankbaits imitating minnows while doing a steady cast-and-retrieve. In the main lake, cast crankbaits around the shoreline or vertical jig with a minnow and chartreuse jig.
Lake Logan (Hocking County) –Anglers have been targeting largemouth bass at Lake Logan using white buzzbaits and spinner baits. Good size saugeye are being caught on a variety of baits, including rubber worms, floating minnows, minnows on the bottom, chrome or silver-colored stick baits, or trolling worm harnesses.
Tycoon Lake (Gallia County) –Crappie in the eight to 10 inch range are being caught on minnows in depths of four to 12 feet of water. Largemouth bass fish has slowed, but a few can be caught on buzzbaits or spinner baits.
------------------------------
LAKE ERIE
.
**The daily bag limit for Lake Erie yellow perch dropped from 30 to 25 fish per angler effective July 1, 2008 in waters west of the Huron pier. The daily bag 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.**
**From September 1 through May 15 the steelhead trout daily bag limit is two fish. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches.**
**The walleye bag limit is six fish per day. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.**
**The black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) daily bag limit is five fish with a 14 inches minimum size limit.**
Western Basin
*Weather the week of 10/27 has been extremely windy. Information contained in the report was collected prior to the gale force winds.
Walleye fishing effort has been low in the western basin. Try trolling or casting traditional fall areas such as the Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Gull and Kelleys Island shoals, and nearshore areas from Port Clinton to Marblehead. As temperatures drop and baitfish school up walleye should be moving into shallow water.
Yellow Perch fishing has been good in the western basin. The best spots have been the turnaround buoy of the Toledo shipping channel, north of West Sister Island near the Canadian border, around Green and Rattlesnake Islands, east of Kelleys Island, Kelleys Island Shoal, southeast of Kelleys Island, north of the Marblehead lighthouse, near the Cedar Point bell buoy, around the Catawba Island green buoy, and Gull Island shoal. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.
Central Basin
*Weather the week of 10/27 has been extremely windy. Information contained in the report was collected prior to the gale force winds.*
Walleye fishing had been excellent from Huron to Lorain. As water temperatures drop the best fishing will start to move inshore. Trolling or casting minnow imitating stickbaits produces the best fall catches.
Yellow perch fishing has been excellent. The most consistent action has been on the sandbar between Vermilion and Lorain, north of Vermilion, and also off of Lorain near the lighthouse. Fishing has been very good all along ports from Cleveland east to Conneaut. The best spots include northwest of Gordon Park in 40 to 45 feet of water, northwest of Chagrin River in 47 to 50 feet of water, north-northwest of Fairport in 45 to 55 feet of water (the hump), north of Geneva and Ashtabula in 45 to 55 feet of water. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom usually produces the most fish. Fish have ranged from seven to 12 inches.
Steelhead fishing is picking up as fish begin to move up into the rivers. Anglers are catching fish near breakwalls, at the river mouths, and at lower- to mid- stream locations in the Rocky, Chagrin, Grand and Ashtabula Rivers, Euclid Creek (Wildwood State Park) and Conneaut Creek. Flows in the rivers and streams have risen with the recent rain and sleet and they are slightly to moderately stained. Small tributaries will fish first. Anglers are using small spoons, spinners, or jigs and maggots or spawn rigged with a split shot under a light bobber.
Based on the nearshore forecast the water temperature is 49 off of Toledo and 55 off of Cleveland.
Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.
To view the predicted weather forecast for Lake Erie visit: http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=/raw/fz/fzus61.kcle.glf.le.txt
To view Lake Erie boating information, safety tips, and launch ramps visit: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/default/tabid/2062/Default.aspx.
-----------------------------
.
OHIO RIVER
Clermont County – Anglers are reporting success at Meldalh dam. Try fishing the stronger current closer to the edge of the dam for hybrids. Use skipjacks. Hybrids, crappie and sauger are being taken with small shiners and a bell sinker and hook. An occasional walleye is also being reported.
:note: I will not be posting new reports on a new post. I will erase the last weeks post and put the updated one in its place. THANKS-O.F.
The Fish Ohio Report
October 29, 2008
(Featured Picture From The ODNR) (C)(R)
CENTRAL OHIO
Antrim Lake (Franklin County) – Antrim Lake, on the north side of Columbus, will be stocked with 10 to 13-inch rainbow trout on Thursday, October 30th. A variety of baits prove successful for these hatchery-raised fish. Try corn, cheese, marshmallows or prepared baits such as Power Bait. The bag limit is five trout and anglers 16 and older need to have a fishing license. No boats are permitted at Antrim Lake.
Deer Creek Lake (Fayette and Pickaway counties) - Cool water temperatures have fish more active. For crappie target woody cover in the coves and shallower water, try minnows or jigs suspended under a bobber. Largemouth bass can be caught on spinner baits, crank baits and plastics, fish points and concentrations of gizzard shad. Bluegills are being caught on wax worms and night crawlers. White bass are active around Tick Ridge; look for fish breaking the water surface as they chase gizzard shad, use spinners and jigs.
.
------------------------------
NORTHWEST OHIO
Fostoria Reservoir #2 (Seneca County) – Crappie are being taken during the daylight hours by fishing minnows off of a crappie rig or four feet under a bobber casted from shore. Fishing near structure is being the most successful.
Lake McKarns (Williams County) – Bluegill are being taken in the mornings by still fishing wax worms. The south east corner is producing the best results. One fisherman had 10 bluegills that were in the nine-inch range.
St. Joseph River (Williams County) – Largemouth bass are being caught in the evenings by casting spinners and letting them sink to three to five feet. The best spot seems to be at the County Road R Bridge.
Lake Barton (Williams County) – Largemouth bass are being taken in the mornings by still fishing night crawlers. The north side of the peninsula is the best place to fish for these largemouths.
------------------------------
NORTHEAST OHIO
Tappan Lake (Harrison County)- The hybrid cross between a female walleye and a male sauger- the saugeye- is a fish that can be caught all year round at this 2,132-acre lake. More than 45% of fish sampled by biologists in 2007 measured 14-inches or more. Nearly 30% of these fish were even over 18-inches! Casting Rat-L-Trap style lures or using crankbaits and jigs with minnows into shallow waters at sunrise and sunset should do the trick. Vertical jigging with Sonars, Cicada’s and other jigging type lures around the bridges located on U.S. 250 from mid-October through mid-November can be very effective. Saugeye are attracted to current and with the water level being drawn down at this time, the saugeye congregate at these constriction points, where water current is most noticeable. It’s never too muddy for a saugeye, so try black jigs and twister tails in these conditions. The white crappie outlook is good with many crappie averaging 8.5-inches. Anglers are reminded that there is a nine inch minimum length limit for crappie in this lake to improve fish quality. Wheelchair accessible shoreline facilities available; 299 horsepower limit.
Berlin Reservoir (Portage, Mahoning, and Stark counties)- Although the water is eight feet below summer pool at this 3,321-acre lake, nine to 17-inch walleye are hitting on artificial baits. Anglers are reminded that there is a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye and to please wet hands before gently releasing undersized walleye back into the lake. Crappie are also biting near the U.S. 224 bridge and around downed trees/ underwater structure. White crappies are larger (nine to 11 inches) but fewer while black crappies are numerous (averaging 8.5-inches). Unlimited horsepower.
------------------------------
SOUTHWEST OHIO
The last location in southwest Ohio will be stocked with 10 to 13-inch rainbow trout. Trout fishing provides an exciting fishing experience to anglers. Anglers 16 and over must possess an Ohio fishing license. A statewide bag limit of five trout per person per day applies.
October 31st: Sycamore State Park pond (Montgomery County) – Sycamore State Park is located northwest of Dayton.
Paint Creek (Highland County) – Crappies are being caught by anglers using minnows or jigs as bait. Fish the bait in three to 12 feet of water. Fish the bait around any type of woody structure such as downed trees and overhanging brush and around the campgrounds. A few saugeye are being caught by casting jigs or trolling small crankbaits between the beach and the island and along the hazard area. Bluegills are being caught by anglers using wax worms under a bobber as bait. Fish the bait two to four feet deep. Good fishing spots are back in the coves, near stumps, and around fallen timber.
Caesar Creek Lake (Warren County) – Muskie anglers continue to be successful in the late mornings. Anglers report catching 30 to 40 inch muskie with numerous follows. Try casting large bucktail spinners, jerk baits, or crankbaits around standing or fallen timber in coves or along main lake shorelines. If you catch a musky please report your catch to the Division of Wildlife’s Musky Angler Log at http://www.ohiodnr.com/muskielog/welcome.aspx. The Muskie Angler Log was developed in partnership with the Ohio Muskie Anglers as a resource for Ohio Muskie anglers and to support muskie management efforts in Ohio by providing valuable muskie catch data to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Anglers are catching crappie in 12 to 20 feet of water using minnows under a bobber and casting jigs. Remember, all crappie less than nine inches long must be immediately released back into the lake. Bluegills are being caught by anglers fishing wax worms and redworms around fallen or standing timber in two to five feet of water. Saugeye anglers are starting to catch a few fish from six to 15 feet of water, but most fish are small. Troll medium or deep diving crankbaits along submerged points or underwater humps in the North pool. Cast or drift with live night crawlers on a bottom bouncing harness rig, or use a lead-head jig tipped with a piece of worm. Schools of shad working and jumping on the surface have given anglers opportunities to catch a few white bass. Cast jigs into the schools of shad.
------------------------------
SOUTHEAST OHIO
.
Piedmont Lake (Belmont County) – Saugeye fishing has been good at this 2,273-acre lake. Fish the shallows in the south end of the lake off the CR 100 bridge in the evening or early morning hours. Use rapala jerkbaits or crankbaits imitating minnows while doing a steady cast-and-retrieve. In the main lake, cast crankbaits around the shoreline or vertical jig with a minnow and chartreuse jig.
Lake Logan (Hocking County) –Anglers have been targeting largemouth bass at Lake Logan using white buzzbaits and spinner baits. Good size saugeye are being caught on a variety of baits, including rubber worms, floating minnows, minnows on the bottom, chrome or silver-colored stick baits, or trolling worm harnesses.
Tycoon Lake (Gallia County) –Crappie in the eight to 10 inch range are being caught on minnows in depths of four to 12 feet of water. Largemouth bass fish has slowed, but a few can be caught on buzzbaits or spinner baits.
------------------------------
LAKE ERIE
.
**The daily bag limit for Lake Erie yellow perch dropped from 30 to 25 fish per angler effective July 1, 2008 in waters west of the Huron pier. The daily bag 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.**
**From September 1 through May 15 the steelhead trout daily bag limit is two fish. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches.**
**The walleye bag limit is six fish per day. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.**
**The black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) daily bag limit is five fish with a 14 inches minimum size limit.**
Western Basin
*Weather the week of 10/27 has been extremely windy. Information contained in the report was collected prior to the gale force winds.
Walleye fishing effort has been low in the western basin. Try trolling or casting traditional fall areas such as the Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Gull and Kelleys Island shoals, and nearshore areas from Port Clinton to Marblehead. As temperatures drop and baitfish school up walleye should be moving into shallow water.
Yellow Perch fishing has been good in the western basin. The best spots have been the turnaround buoy of the Toledo shipping channel, north of West Sister Island near the Canadian border, around Green and Rattlesnake Islands, east of Kelleys Island, Kelleys Island Shoal, southeast of Kelleys Island, north of the Marblehead lighthouse, near the Cedar Point bell buoy, around the Catawba Island green buoy, and Gull Island shoal. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.
Central Basin
*Weather the week of 10/27 has been extremely windy. Information contained in the report was collected prior to the gale force winds.*
Walleye fishing had been excellent from Huron to Lorain. As water temperatures drop the best fishing will start to move inshore. Trolling or casting minnow imitating stickbaits produces the best fall catches.
Yellow perch fishing has been excellent. The most consistent action has been on the sandbar between Vermilion and Lorain, north of Vermilion, and also off of Lorain near the lighthouse. Fishing has been very good all along ports from Cleveland east to Conneaut. The best spots include northwest of Gordon Park in 40 to 45 feet of water, northwest of Chagrin River in 47 to 50 feet of water, north-northwest of Fairport in 45 to 55 feet of water (the hump), north of Geneva and Ashtabula in 45 to 55 feet of water. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom usually produces the most fish. Fish have ranged from seven to 12 inches.
Steelhead fishing is picking up as fish begin to move up into the rivers. Anglers are catching fish near breakwalls, at the river mouths, and at lower- to mid- stream locations in the Rocky, Chagrin, Grand and Ashtabula Rivers, Euclid Creek (Wildwood State Park) and Conneaut Creek. Flows in the rivers and streams have risen with the recent rain and sleet and they are slightly to moderately stained. Small tributaries will fish first. Anglers are using small spoons, spinners, or jigs and maggots or spawn rigged with a split shot under a light bobber.
Based on the nearshore forecast the water temperature is 49 off of Toledo and 55 off of Cleveland.
Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.
To view the predicted weather forecast for Lake Erie visit: http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=/raw/fz/fzus61.kcle.glf.le.txt
To view Lake Erie boating information, safety tips, and launch ramps visit: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/default/tabid/2062/Default.aspx.
-----------------------------
.
OHIO RIVER
Clermont County – Anglers are reporting success at Meldalh dam. Try fishing the stronger current closer to the edge of the dam for hybrids. Use skipjacks. Hybrids, crappie and sauger are being taken with small shiners and a bell sinker and hook. An occasional walleye is also being reported.
Last edited by OhioFisher on Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:26 pm; edited 17 times in total
