WEEKLY OHIO REPORT

WEEKLY OHIO REPORT
COLUMBUS (AP) -- The weekly fishing report provided by the Division of Wildlife of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
NORTHEAST OHIO
Atwood Lake (Tuscarawas County) -- A good lake for channel catfish right now. Anglers are tight-lining and fishing on the bottom with night crawlers, chicken livers and "stink" baits. Most of the 'cats are being caught in 6 to10 feet of water with some of the catfish measuring up to 20 inches. Also a good number of bluegills are being taken in 3 to 10 feet of water, using worms fished under bobbers.
Charles Mill Lake (Ashland County) -- Anglers continue to pick up channel catfish all over the lake, using night crawlers and chicken livers.
Pleasant Hill Lake (Ashland County) -- Saugeyes are being caught by anglers trolling. Crappies are also being taken in water 15- to 20-feet deep. Anglers are using 8 ounce jigs and twister tails to catch the crappies, with chartreuse being the color of choice.
Portage Lakes (Summit County) -- The fishing is great at the youth fishing ponds, located on the grounds of the Division of Wildlife's District Three offices on North Reservoir. Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., anglers 15 and under can enjoy catching bluegills, catfish, trout and bass from these well-stocked ponds.
Overall Recent heavy rains have roiled many waters and raised lake and stream levels to a point that makes fishing difficult.
LAKE ERIE
Western Basin -- The best walleye fishing in the past week has been in the area NW of West Sister Island and between Middle Sister Island and West Sister Island in 30 feet of water. Best methods have included casting weight-forward lures, drifting bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses and trolling spoons. Fish have ranged from 14 to 22 inches.
Yellow perch fishing has been best E of Kelleys Island off of airport reef in 40 feet of water and N of the Marblehead lighthouse in 30 feet of water. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been most productive for 7- to 12-inch fish.
For smallmouth bass try fishing the east side of Kelleys Island in 13 to 16 feet of water and nearshore areas around the Bass Islands. Tube jigs have been used to catch fish between 15 and 20 inches. Largemouth Bass fishing has been very good in East Harbor around thick beds of vegetation and in the harbor channel.
Central Basin Walleye fishing in the Central Basin has been best on the sandbar 7 to 15 miles NW of Lorain in 35 to 45 feet of water, between Cranberry Creek and Vermilion in 21 to 39 feet of water, 7 to 8 miles NW of Euclid and Eastlake in 58 to 66 feet of water, and 5 to 7 miles N of Geneva and Ashtabula in 70 feet of water. Anglers have been trolling dipsy divers with spoons (most color schemes with copper, blue, watermelon, chartreuse or gold have been best) or crawler harnesses for fish from 15- to 28-inches.
Yellow perch fishing has slowed recently, but typically improves in August. Best areas to try include 1 miles N of Beaver Creek, 2 to 3 miles N of Fairport and Geneva in 44 to 50 feet of water, in 42 to 46 feet of water 3 miles NE of Wildwood State Park, and 2 miles N-NE of Conneaut in 42 feet of water. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking fish from 8 to 12 inches.
Smallmouth bass are being caught near Ruggles Reef in 12 to 20 feet of water and in nearshore breakwall and harbor areas from 10 to 20 feet of water around Conneaut, Ashtabula, Geneva, Fairport and Cleveland. Fourteen- to 18-inch fish have been caught on tube jigs, jigs tipped with shiners and crankbaits.
Steelhead have been caught by trollers using dipsy divers with spoons 8 to 10 miles NW of Euclid and Eastlake in 64 to 68 feet of water and 5 to 7 miles N of Geneva and Ashtabula in 70 feet of water. The steelhead have ranged in size from 23 to 29 inches.
OHIO RIVER
Belmont County -- Morning and evening hours are best fishing times for catfish. Preferred bait is beef or pork liver fished on the bottom. Anglers are also using various cut baits for catfish.
Monroe County -- Even though the river remains high and muddy due to recent rains, some fishing pressure continues. Nice channel catfish up to 20 inches in size and flathead catfish 30 to 35 inches in length are being caught on creek chubs or shiners fished on the bottom. Water temperature in this area is around 76 degrees.
Lawrence County -- Water conditions in this area are 3 to 4 feet high and muddy. Water temperature is around 80 degrees. Anglers are catching small striped bass, white bass, and sheepheads on night crawlers.
CENTRAL OHIO
Greenfield Lake (Fairfield County) -- This 12-acre Fairfield County lake supports a good population of channel catfish. This is a good lake for beginning anglers; however, the best time to catch catfish is at night. Use cut baits, chicken livers, and night crawlers fished along the bottom for best results. Fair numbers of bluegills provide additional fishing opportunities. Use red worms, wax worms, and larval baits beneath a bobber. No boat ramp is available.
Hoover Reservoir (Delaware and Franklin Counties) -- Hot surface water is now moving fish deeper toward the cool water near the thermocline. Watch your depth finder to see how deep the fish are holding. Try casting and trolling deep diving 4 to 6-inch shad imitating crank baits at this level. The best activity is usually at sunrise and sunset. This is a great time to try tubes and plastic worms deep for largemouth and smallmouth bass. 710,000 saugeye fingerlings (1 1/2 inches) were stocked in early June. 10 horsepower limit.
NORTHWEST OHIO
Harrison Lake (Fulton County) -- Channel catfish are being taken in the evenings on leeches. The best location is across from the park office.
Oxbow Lake (Defiance County) -- Water temperature is 71 degrees with normal water levels. Largemouth bass are being taken in the evenings on crankbaits.
Maumee River (Wood County) -- The water temperature is 72 degrees with water levels high. White bass and catfish are being taken in deeper holes in the river and below the dam at Mary Jane Thurston State Park. Shiners and night crawlers fished below bobbers are working the best.
SOUTHWEST OHIO
Acton Lake (Preble County) -- Anglers visiting this scenic lake in Hueston Woods State Park are taking good numbers of 6- to 7-inch bluegills. Try fishing with red worms, wax worms, or live crickets under a slip bobber near shoreline trees and brush along the west shore. Acton Lake is also an excellent destination for largemouth bass and channel catfish. Bait and boat rentals are available at the state park marina in the upper end of the lake.
C J Brown Reservoir (Clark County) -- Channel catfish are providing fast action for fishermen at this lake near Springfield. Try bottom fishing from shore using chicken livers, cut bait, or prepackaged stink baits. Popular shoreline spots include the marina break walls, near the main boat ramp, and at the Corps of Engineers visitor's center.
SOUTHEAST OHIO
Hocking River (Hocking County) -- Rock bass, crappies, and smallmouth bass are being caught below the Falls Mill Bridge at Logan. Use a minnow suspended under a bobber for best results. Small channel catfish are being caught on chicken liver and night crawlers.
Monroe Lake (Monroe County) -- While this lake is slightly muddy due to recent rains, anglers are still catching small bass on red worms. Both channel catfish and nice-sized bluegills are being caught on night crawlers, which can be fished under a bobber or by tight-lining on the bottom. Water temperature is 78 degrees.
Tycoon Lake (Gallia County) -- Although weather has affected fishing activity, nice sized bluegills 6 to 8 inches are being caught by bank fishermen on wax worms and night crawlers. Fishing for bass is best early morning or late evening. Use top water baits or rubber worms. Catfish are being caught at night on chicken liver or night crawlers fished on the bottom. Water conditions are clear and normal with temperature at 85 degrees.