Early spring fishing outlook

It’s time to turn our attention to early spring fishing here in Ohio.

Trout releases start in March across the state. Refer to the Ohio Division of Wildlife for dates and locations. The bag limit is five and they are stocked for us to catch, take home and enjoy.

Let’s look at some of our Ohio lakes get an idea of the best fish and best baits for some early spring catching success and fun.

DISTRICT 1

I talked to Marty Lundquist, a biologist for ODNR’s fisheries, to get an idea of what what’s best at some of our District 1 lakes for early spring fishing.

Alum Creek Lake: Saugeye is the early spring choice here. Good baits can be jigging raps, twister tails and crankbaits. Tip the raps on twister tails with a piece of minnow. As temperatures warm to 60 degrees, crappie will begin to bite more aggressively.

Buckeye Lake: It’s a good Saugeye lake with a lot of fish of all lengths and sizes.

Hoover Reservoir: The Saugeye population has recovered the last couple of years. Fish it much like Alum Creek Lake. Blue catfish continue to grow and are becoming very popular. The bite is usually best in warmer water. Try a medium running crankbait on these blue cats in early spring. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Indian Lake: This is one of the best Saugeye lakes in Ohio. Jigging raps around bridges can produce fish. Another technique is a troll and jig tipped with a minnow. Crappie should also be good this spring as the water warms.

Deer Creek Lake: This is mostly a spillway fishery for Saugeye but some fish are caught in the lake. White bass will make a run up the Creek around late April into mid-May, depending on water temperatures. Fishing with jigs and spinners can be very effective.

O’Shaughnessey Reservoir: This lake is often overlooked for Saugeye in In the spring. It can be a good crappie lake. Hybrid striped bass make a run up the river in the spring around the Mill Creek confluence area.

DISTRICT 5

I spoke to Justin Waters, a biologist for ODNR’s fisheries, for a rundown on District 5.

Acton Lake: Crappie are looking great again. The catch rates were as high the last two years. There is great growth and all years/classes are present. Use two-inch tubes oil 1/32 jig heads with bright colors.

The bass population is still great and the bluegill population has improved, with some larger fish present. There’s a good catch rate of older Saugeye.

CJ Brown Reservoir: The musky program started in 2018. Those 2018 fish are now over 30 inches long. Bass is average for the district and crappie survey show them below average.

Caesar Creek: Best musky fishing in the area by far with fish over 50 inches. The crappie survey showed decent numbers with good growth rates. Bass is average for the district, with smallmouth and spotted bass present in low numbers.

Cowan Lake: Crappie numbers are good and there’s a good population of bass, with a lot of older fish.

East Fork Lake: Crappie growth rates and populations have improved the last few years. Cast small jigs on standing timber and along rocky banks.

Grand Lake St. Marys: There was a bad lakewide fish kill in 2020 but not a total fish kill. Crappie has the best growth rates in the district here.