shu9265
04-18-2007, 10:29 AM
Walleye and white bass spring extravaganza
By KELLY RIESEN
Ohio Sea Grant Extension
The fishing season is finally here and it kicks off with the Western Basin walleye and white bass spawning runs. There is no better opportunity for shore bound anglers to get in on the action.
Already walleye have begun their run upstream to spawn in the Sandusky River at Fremont and the Maumee River at Perrysburg. Stream flow rates, hours of daylight and water temperature are all factors which signal the fish to start entering the tributaries.
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By mid-March, walleye are well into their migration. The numbers of fish in the rivers usually peaks around April 7th through 10th.
The Division of Wildlife has projected that walleye fishing will be excellent this year. The 2003 class of walleye is still booming and has grown into the 16 to 22 inch size range.
Though the Maumee currently offers more fishing territory than the Sandusky, proposals may be underway by the Ohio Division of Wildlife to remove the Ballville Dam on the Sandusky River, greatly enlarging the spawning area.
Removal of this dam would open up approximately 15 miles of walleye spawning habitat, reaching nearly to Tiffin. Currently, there is only about one mile of spawning habitat below the dam, and much of that has been scoured free of the gravel which spawning walleye seek. This is important to Central Basin anglers because walleye hatched in the Sandusky River head straight for the central basin of Lake Erie.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife recently initiated a walleye radio tagging project to find out more about walleye movements.
Before the Ballville Dam was built, larger numbers of walleye migrated upstream and spawned in the Sandusky River. But the tagging project found that only a few tagged walleye moved up into the rapids at Fremont to spawn. The rest stayed in Sandusky Bay. This implies that alternate areas in the bay are being used for spawning, though more research is needed to find out where.
The general consensus is that if the Ballville Dam were removed, walleye would again utilize the prime spawning habitat upstream. This would not only potentially increase total numbers of walleye in Lake Erie, but would also allow better fishing opportunities for anglers fishing the spawning run.
All you need to get in on the action is a pair of hip waders, spinning rod, and lures or bait, and you'll have a walleye on your line in no time.
Cast a lead-headed jig with a brightly colored twister tail upstream and fish it down. Also try minnows on a lead-headed jig.
Fish will pile up in holes and runs below riffles waiting for higher water and a chance to get farther upstream, so these are great places to increase your catch success.
Walleye are also sensitive to light conditions, so during the day, walleye tend to seek out these deeper areas. Spawning on gravel beds usually occurs after dark.
Side Cut Metropark offers excellent wading access to the Maumee River, and fish tend to congregate here below the rapids.
According to Scott Carpenter of Toledo Area Metroparks, walleye fishing on the Maumee River is very family-friendly and several events are scheduled to take place there.
"March 23 - April 21, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Jann's Netcraft is hosting family friendly fishing competitions on the Maumee River," says Carpenter.
Remember that the limit on walleye is four fish per angler per day from March 1through April 30. Be aware of some other regulations that pertain to spring fishing in these rivers:
# Fishing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset.
# Fishing is allowed only with a single hook.
# On the Sandusky River, anglers may not fish upstream of the power lines that cross the river at Roger Young Park (applies March 1 - May 1).
# Fish not hooked in the mouth must be released.
During the walleye spawning runs, law enforcement is heavy, and many times officers are not in uniform. Abide by the law because the angler next to you may be an officer.
Whether wading or fishing from a boat, all rivers can be hazardous, especially when flows are up. Be careful and pay attention to weather and flow conditions.
Above all, have fun out there.
By KELLY RIESEN
Ohio Sea Grant Extension
The fishing season is finally here and it kicks off with the Western Basin walleye and white bass spawning runs. There is no better opportunity for shore bound anglers to get in on the action.
Already walleye have begun their run upstream to spawn in the Sandusky River at Fremont and the Maumee River at Perrysburg. Stream flow rates, hours of daylight and water temperature are all factors which signal the fish to start entering the tributaries.
ADVERTISEMENT
By mid-March, walleye are well into their migration. The numbers of fish in the rivers usually peaks around April 7th through 10th.
The Division of Wildlife has projected that walleye fishing will be excellent this year. The 2003 class of walleye is still booming and has grown into the 16 to 22 inch size range.
Though the Maumee currently offers more fishing territory than the Sandusky, proposals may be underway by the Ohio Division of Wildlife to remove the Ballville Dam on the Sandusky River, greatly enlarging the spawning area.
Removal of this dam would open up approximately 15 miles of walleye spawning habitat, reaching nearly to Tiffin. Currently, there is only about one mile of spawning habitat below the dam, and much of that has been scoured free of the gravel which spawning walleye seek. This is important to Central Basin anglers because walleye hatched in the Sandusky River head straight for the central basin of Lake Erie.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife recently initiated a walleye radio tagging project to find out more about walleye movements.
Before the Ballville Dam was built, larger numbers of walleye migrated upstream and spawned in the Sandusky River. But the tagging project found that only a few tagged walleye moved up into the rapids at Fremont to spawn. The rest stayed in Sandusky Bay. This implies that alternate areas in the bay are being used for spawning, though more research is needed to find out where.
The general consensus is that if the Ballville Dam were removed, walleye would again utilize the prime spawning habitat upstream. This would not only potentially increase total numbers of walleye in Lake Erie, but would also allow better fishing opportunities for anglers fishing the spawning run.
All you need to get in on the action is a pair of hip waders, spinning rod, and lures or bait, and you'll have a walleye on your line in no time.
Cast a lead-headed jig with a brightly colored twister tail upstream and fish it down. Also try minnows on a lead-headed jig.
Fish will pile up in holes and runs below riffles waiting for higher water and a chance to get farther upstream, so these are great places to increase your catch success.
Walleye are also sensitive to light conditions, so during the day, walleye tend to seek out these deeper areas. Spawning on gravel beds usually occurs after dark.
Side Cut Metropark offers excellent wading access to the Maumee River, and fish tend to congregate here below the rapids.
According to Scott Carpenter of Toledo Area Metroparks, walleye fishing on the Maumee River is very family-friendly and several events are scheduled to take place there.
"March 23 - April 21, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Jann's Netcraft is hosting family friendly fishing competitions on the Maumee River," says Carpenter.
Remember that the limit on walleye is four fish per angler per day from March 1through April 30. Be aware of some other regulations that pertain to spring fishing in these rivers:
# Fishing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset.
# Fishing is allowed only with a single hook.
# On the Sandusky River, anglers may not fish upstream of the power lines that cross the river at Roger Young Park (applies March 1 - May 1).
# Fish not hooked in the mouth must be released.
During the walleye spawning runs, law enforcement is heavy, and many times officers are not in uniform. Abide by the law because the angler next to you may be an officer.
Whether wading or fishing from a boat, all rivers can be hazardous, especially when flows are up. Be careful and pay attention to weather and flow conditions.
Above all, have fun out there.