West Branch looks good for start of boating season

West Branch Reservoir is showing signs of vigor this year, a welcome signal for those whose experiences there were less than spectacular in years past.
Memorial Day weekend is hardly a fair test for northeastern Ohio fisheries, as the holiday is the traditional start to the boating season for thousands of local people. But I enjoyed a pretty good day of the fishing there Sunday and hold hope the popular reservoir is on an upswing in its angling cycle.
I flipped up a limit of keeper bass from the flooded brush along with a beautiful 4-pound walleye that couldn't resist the plastic tube I dabbled into a particularly good-looking thicket of willows.
A 2-foot muskie chased my lure as I pulled it in for another pitch and numerous crappies pecked at the bass bait. I saw a number of crappie anglers reel in slabs, as well as one angler win a battle with a 10-pound flathead catfish.
All around the lake, huge carp wallowed in the shallows, creating a ruckus that at times was so distracting that it diverted my attention from the more important business of catching bass.
Those experiences and observations are clear signals that West Branch is healthy, at least compared with the past couple of seasons when many anglers complained about tough fishing.
West Branch is basically two lakes, bisected by Rock Springs Road near Ravenna. East of Rock Springs Road, the reservoir is relatively clear and supports lush growths of aquatic vegetation -- perfect nurseries for many species' offspring. The clear-water creek arms on the east end, including Jay Lake and Silver Creek, are full of cover.
The western end of the lake is shallow and flat, but with numerous stumps, fallen trees and acres of flooded willows. Most of the bass and the walleye I caught Sunday came from the west side's cover.
As summer comes on strong, the thick weeds will be anglers' primary focal points. Crappies, tiger muskies, bass and walleyes cruise the edges to feed and seek shelter from the summer heat.
West Branch is legendary in northeastern Ohio angling circles as a prolific tiger muskie lake. It is not as popular among walleye anglers as nearby Mosquito, Berlin and Pymatuning, but the 'eyes that live there tend toward larger average sizes than those in other Mahoning River drainage reservoirs.
The crappie fishing has remained stable in recent years compared with the bassing. A good number of slab-size crappies are harvested each year by those who work the flooded willows and other brush near deeper water.
Anglers who gave up on West Branch in 2004 or '05 should consider giving it another shot this year. Odds are, they'll find more cooperative fish worthy of the time invested in exploring the lake.
Kids fishing today
Want to take your children fishing today? Consider heading over to Evans Lake between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the Kids Fish & amp; Fun, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods, in conjunction with today's Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way Bass Classic, a pro-am bass tournament presented by Whispering Pines Village and hosted by Aqua Ohio.
Children of all ages are invited. Activities include fishing, games, Porgy the Clown and free food and beverages.
The kids' event will conclude as the weigh-in for the pro-am bass tournament begins. Prizes will be awarded and bait will be provided for children who wish to fish for Evans Lake's panfish, bass and pike.
Activities will be around the Evans Lake boat house, on East Calla Road off South Avenue near Fonderlac Country Club.
jwwollitz@aol.com