FISHING

FISHING
Ohio walleye run starts
One of Ohio's most unique fishing opportunities has started as walleye are on their annual migration runs in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers.
Each spring, as water temperatures rise and days grow longer, a small portion of Lake Erie's walleye make their way up the two northwestern Ohio streams. The resulting "run" brings hundreds of thousands of the fish within casting distance of eager anglers who annually await this event.
Approximately 40,000 walleye were caught in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers during last year's four-week run. This year, fisheries biologists estimate that the walleye taken from the two rivers will equal that mark, with the majority of the fish being taken from the Maumee River.
Walleye spawning normally occurs in these rivers from mid-March through mid-April, but frequently the peak activity takes place during the first week of April when water temperatures range from 40 to 50 degrees. High, fast-moving water also increases the number of walleye in the rivers, especially if river temperatures are higher than those in Lake Erie.
Currently, on the Maumee River, the temperature is 46, water is muddy and the level is high. Anglers are taking good to excellent numbers of male walleye (18-24"). No big females have been seen. Anglers are using Carolina rigs with floating jig heads, or 1/4 - 3/4 ounce jigs with white, chartreuse, orange and hot pink twister tails. Best areas are the Flats, Buttonwood and Blue Grass Island. The outlook is excellent.
On the Sandusky River, the temperature is 47, water is muddy and the level is high. Anglers are taking moderate numbers of walleye (20-30"), with an occasional limit, between State Street and Hayes Street. A 30-inch walleye weighing just under 16 pounds was taken recently. Fish are being caught on 1/4 oz. jigs with chartreuse, yellow and hot pink twister tails. The outlook is good.
For more information log on to www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Fishing/freport/walleyerun.htm
OHIO
New information officer
Jamey L. Graham of North Canton has been promoted to Wildlife Communication Specialist at the District Three Headquarters of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife in Akron.
Graham, formerly of Lancaster, graduated from Hocking College in 2002 and has served an internship at the Waterloo Wildlife Research Station near Athens and worked at The Wilds Conservation Facility near Zanesville.
She joined the DOW as a seasonal worker at the 1-800-WILDLIFE call center in June 2003.
PENNSYLVANIA
Fish and Boat Commissionto meet April 19-20
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold its spring quarterly meeting April 19-20 at agency headquarters, 1601 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg.
Commission committees will meet April 19 beginning at 10:30 a.m. and April 20, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the formal agenda session at or about 1:15 p.m. April 20.
Among other items the Commission will consider is creation of a slow, no wake zone on the Ohio River for the back channel of Neville Island from the Coraopolis Bridge upstream to the I-79 bridge from May 1 through Oct. 1.
Snowmobile trails closed
The Snowmobile Trail System in the Allegheny National Forest has been officially closed for the season. The All-Terrain Vehicle trail system, closed March 28 due to wet conditions, will reopen May 28 to Sept. 26.