Weekly Ohio fishing report
Weekly Ohio fishing report
COLUMBUS --provided by Ohio's Division of Wildlife of Natural Resources.
NORTHEAST OHIO
Tuscarawas River (Stark and Summit counties) -- Anglers are catching two to three pound northern pike and good-sized smallmouth bass using minnows floated in the current. Pike are feeding aggressively and bass are preparing to spawn in gravel and rocky areas of the river. The best access point is about two miles south of Butternut Road near Massillon in Stark County. Anglers are encouraged to determine if stream banks are public or private property. Please obtain permission if stream banks are privately owned and please do not litter. This is an all too common reason why many landowners do not allow fishing.
Punderson Lake (Geauga County) -- This 82-acre lake is one of the most popular in northeast Ohio for catching rainbow trout. Catchable-sized trout (10 to 12 inches) were released into these waters earlier this month. This lake is one of the few where trout have been known to survive throughout the year. Either a 1/32 or 1/64 sized jig tipped with a maggot is the bait of choice. Recipes for this tasty trout can be obtained at www.wildohiocookbook.com
LAKE ERIE
The walleye daily bag limit is four fish through April 30. A 15-inch minimum size limit for walleye remains in effect for the entire season. The Lake Erie daily bag limit for yellow perch is 40 fish. Lake Erie black bass (smallmouth and largemouth bass) are closed to possession (catch and release only) May 1 through June 23. The daily bag limit for black bass on Lake Erie is five before May 1 and after June 23. The minimum size limit for black bass on Lake Erie is 14 inches. See the 2006 regulations brochure for specific hook restrictions and closed areas pertaining to tributary and bay fishing during the walleye runs in March and April. The steelhead trout bag limit is two through May 15 and increases to five on May 16. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches.
Limits of walleye have been caught on jigs in Maumee Bay, in 10-14 foot of water from Crane Creek to "K" can of the Camp Perry firing range, and on the reefs of the Camp Perry firing range. Purple hair jigs, chartreuse jigs tipped with minnows, and blade baits have been productive. Large walleye have been caught by trollers north of the Camp Perry firing range and northwest of Kelleys Island. Most trollers are using minnow-imitating stick baits behind inline planer boards fished in the top half of the water column, but worm harnesses on bottom bouncers are also starting to catch some fish.
Yellow perch fishing has been excellent. Limits of perch were caught south of Kelleys Island towards Marblehead and Cedar Point. Most perch have been eight to 10 inches with many up to 13 inches. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most perch.
Lake Erie surface temperatures range from 43 to 51 degrees.