Spring is here and it’s time to dig out your fishing gear from the garage or basement and get to your favorite nearby fishing hole to drop a line.
Take the kids and/or grandkids and make it a family affair that they will always remember. The crappie and bluegill are already starting to bite. Spring is a great time to get in on all the fun.
Fishing license
Don’t forget that fishing license. Ohio’s new 2017-2018 fishing license cost $19 and is available at many Ohio locations and online. They are good from March 1st 2017 to February 28th 2018.
Local area fishing lakes & rivers
Ohio is known for its world-class fishing with its waters full of walleye, streelhead trout, saugeye, bluegill, crappie, bass, yellow perch, and catfish. Get in on the action and try your luck at one of these nearby fishing holes.
The top rated nearby public fishing waters include: CJ Brown Reservoir, Kiser Lake, Clark Lake, Indian Lake, Lake Loramie, Grand Lake St Mary’s , Alum Creek Reservoir, Delaware Lake, Buckeye Lake, Great Miami River, Still Water River, Mad River, Darby Creek, Little Miami River, Buck Creek, Caesar Creek Lake, Madison Lake, Deer Creek Lake, Cowan Lake, Rocky Fork Lake, Paint Creek Lake and Eastwood Lake.
Fishing report
Up to 20 inch saugeyes are reportedly being caught at Indian Lake near Northfork jigging Rapalas shallow in 5-10 feet of water. At Kiser Lake yellow perch and crappies are biting using waxworks. Currently the top 3 ranked lakes for catching crappies over 9 inches are Madison Lake, Indian Lake and Lake Loramie
Maumee River famous ‘walleye run’
This spring why not try something new. Head up to the Maumee River in Toledo where up to a half million walleye enter the river from Lake Erie to begin their famous journey up the Maumee to their spawning grounds. When the run begins, first come the 18 to 20 inch jacks then the big females will follow. Every spring thousands of anglers from all over the region and America flock to the Maumee River for this annual tradition
Lake Erie fishing hot spots
Walleye fishing has been hot recently from Catawba to the Camp Perry firing range and between South Bass Island and Kelly’s Island. Trolling with crankbaits and vertical jigging have seem to produce the best results.
Trout stocking update
This year, according to ODNR, over 100,000 rainbow trout will be released into 60 Ohio public lakes and ponds starting on March 1st.
Ohio free fishing days
Every year a weekend is set aside by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to allow Ohio Residents the opportunity to go fishing without having to buy a fishing license.
This year that weekend is Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7
