Weekly Ohio fishing report

Weekly Ohio fishing report

COLUMBUS — The weekly fishing report provided by the Division of Wildlife of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

NORTHEAST OHIO

Tuscarawas River (Tuscarawas County) — Anglers are catching fair numbers of smallmouth bass, saugeye, and channel catfish near the Dover Dam off of state Route 800. Most of the land along the river is in private ownership and access from shore is limited. A public boat ramp has been constructed east of Tuscarawas, Ohio on Tuscarawas Road. Anglers are reminded to obtain permission from the landowner to access fishing from the shoreline.

Water conditions are currently at seasonal levels. A fair number of eight-to 14-inch smallmouth bass are hitting jigs and crayfish fished on the bottom. Targeting rocky structure just out of the main current or fishing underwater structure is providing good results. Saugeye averaging 10 to 17 inches are also hitting jigs and curly tails in the deeper pools of water near structure and wooden debris. Tipping a jig with a minnow or earthworm works well, too. Channel catfish between 10 and 16 inches in size are also being caught in better than average numbers. Fishing with cut bait, stink bait, chicken liver, or earthworms near undercut banks and areas with wooden debris piles have been productive for catfish.

Mosquito Lake (Trumbull County) — Anglers are catching good numbers of walleye while trolling crank baits in 14 feet of water. The best place seems to be between the island and the causeway on the north end of the lake. Boat anglers should also trying jigging for walleye in the weed beds. On the west side of the lake, largemouth bass are biting close to shore. Unlimited horsepower. Wheelchair accessible shoreline facilities are available.

LAKE ERIE

Western Basin — Walleye fishing has been excellent in many areas of the western basin. In the far west the best fishing has been north of the turnaround buoy of the Toledo shipping channel. The islands area has also been excellent. Fish have been caught west of Rattlesnake Island, west of North Bass Island around West Reef and Northwest Reef, and on Gull Island Shoal. Worm harnesses have been very effective drifted behind bottom bouncers or trolled with inline weights or jet divers. Trollers have also had success with spoons on jets or dipsys.

Although most of the angling effort has been directed toward walleye plenty of opportunities exist to catch yellow perch and smallmouth bass. Perch limits have been caught off of Lakeside west of Marblehead and just off of the Cedar Point breakwall.

Central Basin — Walleye fishing has been excellent from Cedar Point to the Vermilion condos east of the Vermilion River. Recently the best fishing has been in 38 to 40 feet of water off of Cranberry Creek. Trolling crank baits and dipsys or jets with spoons or worm harnesses has been productive. Also excellent fishing off Euclid and west and east of Eastlake in 40 to 60 feet of water, north-northwest of Fairport in 35 to 45 feet of water and 45 to 60 feet of water, and northwest of Geneva in 45 to 60 feet of water. Anglers are trolling jet divers or dipsy divers with spoons ranging in purple/black, red/green, chartreuse, blueberry muffin, or watermelon color combos. Trolling worm harnesses (same colors) and long crank baits have also been successful.

Steelhead are starting to show up with the walleye catches off Lorain, Vermilion, Ashtabula and Geneva. Anglers are catching steelhead on chartreuse and copper back spoons while trolling for walleye.

Yellow perch fishing has been best off of the Lorain lighthouse, off of the Vermilion condos, and off Edgewater State Park (in Cleveland) and Euclid in 30 to 40 of water, off Fairport Harbor in 25 to 40 of water, off Ashtabula and Conneaut in 48 to 55 feet of water.

Shore anglers are catching yellow perch off the piers in Lorain, Fairport, Mentor Headlands and Conneaut. Perch spreaders with shiners or worm harnesses fished near the bottom produce the most fish.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent in harbor areas, and in 15 to 25 feet of water along the shoreline in Conneaut, Ashtabula, Geneva and Fairport Harbor. Fish were caught on tube jigs, crank baits, and jigs tipped with minnows, night crawlers, or leeches.

Surface temperatures range from 71 degrees off of Toledo to 68 degrees off of Cleveland.

OHIO RIVER

Lawrence County — Water levels are below normal and water clarity is slightly cloudy. Largemouth bass fishing has been fair. Anglers have been successful at the confluence of the Big Sandy using crank baits and other artificial baits. Anglers are also fishing for largemouth bass and catfish at Lock and Dam No. 27 using red worms and crank baits for largemouth and cut bait or chicken livers for catfish.

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On the Net:

View sunrise/sunset table:

http://tinyurl.com/2tztsa

To view the predicted weather forecast for Lake Erie visit:

http://tinyurl.com/2h2z89

Maps and information are available from the Division of Wildlife at:

www.wildohio.com.

Go to www.wildohiocookbook.com for recipe ideas. Maps can be downloaded at www.wildohio.com

For tips on taking kids fishing, go to:

http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/fishing/default.htm