Some fishing highlights to consider as spring unfolds

The spring bite is under way here in Ohio. If you fish, you’ve probably been out for a few trips already.

I recently talked to Scott Hale, the executive director for fish management for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, about some highlights to consider in Ohio this year:

Reservoirs

Saugeye: As we’ve mentioned before, Indian Lake is probably the best spot in Ohio for this species. Scott notes that the best catches at Indian Lake come in May.

Blue Catfish: The fishing continues to be excellent in Hoover Reservoir with abundant fish less than 28 inches and trophy potential fish (35 inches-plus). Following five years of stocking, fish also are abundant in Seneca Lake. Larger fish are less common because the fishery is still developing.

Crappie: Try larger reservoirs such as Caesar Creek, Grand Lake St. Mary, Indian Lake, Buckeye Lake, Seneca Lake, Piedmont Lake and Berlin Lake for good crappie fishing.

Muskellunge: Fish less than 40 inches are being caught at C.J. Brown Reservoir, where stocking began in 2018. In 2021, the greatest number of muskellunge reported in the Muskie Angler Log that were 30 inches and bigger were from Caesar Creek, Milton, West Branch and Piedmont. Good catches can be expected from these reservoirs this year as well.

The greatest number of fish 42 inches or bigger reported in the Muskie Log came from Piedmont and West Branch.

Largemouth bass: Expect good fishing in reservoirs with newly renovated dams, including Knox Lake and Tycoon Lake. Trophy-sized fish can be found in the remote pounds in the Appalachian Hills Wildlife area.

Lake Erie

Walleye: Excellent hatches since 2014 have resulted in an excellent population of these fish in Lake Erie. Anglers will catch fish mostly from the 2019, 2018 and 2015 hatches. Fish from those hatches will range from 15 to 25 inches long. Older-year classes will contribute trophy-sized fish to the Ohio catch, providing Fish Ohio award (greater than 28 inches) opportunities.

Black bass: Largemouth bass fishing has exploded in popularity over the last decade, with catch rates nearly double those of smallmouth bass. Expect to catch many 12-to-14-inch fish. Larger fish (16 inchplus) are common in nearshore areas within bays and harbors.

Smallmouth bass fishing will continue to be good as well with many 12-to-16inch fish and older trophy-sized fish mixed in. The best areas are those with good bottom structure, which is available across much of the Ohio nearshore areas.

Steelhead: Steelhead anglers should enjoy another year of great fishing in Ohio’s Lake Erie open waters and in tributaries through the fall, winter and spring months. Peak summer steelhead action on Lake Erie can be found offshore from June through August between Vermilion and Conneaut, with catches measuring 17 to 29 inches.

Catfish: Channel catfish will provide excellent fishing opportunities along the coastline and in the nearby bars and harbors. Sandusky Bay is becoming well known for numbers and quality of channel catfish that often exceed 10 pounds.

Ohio River

Sauger: Ohio River sauger fishing continues to be stable and excellent at times in tailwaters. Larger fish are more common in the Meldahl and Greenup dam tailwaters.

Hybrid Striped Bass: Fishing for this species continues to be excellent in warm water discharges and tributaries throughout the river.

Thanks again to Scott for some of his highlights on 2022 fishing in Ohio.

Until next time, enjoy the outdoors.