|
Lake Erie Fishing Report: April 11, 2002 Fishing is fabulous on Lake Erie and popular tributary streams at this time. Western Basin:
The spring walleye season is well underway on Western Basin Lake Erie with a
good number of hardy private boat and charter boat anglers in pursuit of
Erie eyes. Anglers have been vertical jigging on Maumee Bay and Sandusky
Bay (including the railroad bridge), all across Western Basin reef areas,
and off Catawba and Marblehead. Some limit catches have been reported.
Most fish are 3-year-olds in the 16- to 18-inch range. Anglers in this
early spring walleye fishery typically use a vertical jigging fishing method
using leadhead jigs and ice-fishing lures tipped with minnows. The legal
bag limit for walleyes for Lake Erie and its tributaries is four per angler
per day during March and April. A new fishing license for the 2002/2003
fishing season was required as of March 1. The spring perch action is also underway with catches of nice-size yellow
perch reported around Kelleys Island and on Sandusky Bay. The yellow perch
bag limit remains at 30 perch per angler per day.
Western Basin Walleye Streams: The Sandusky River is 44 F and the water is high. Anglers here are also
catching large numbers of both male and female walleyes using florescent
orange jigs. The outlook is excellent for the week and beyond, especially
with warmer weather. The Maumee River is 44* F and the water level very high. Fishing pressure
is high with large numbers of both male and female walleyes being taken.
Fish are in the 18- to 26-inch range with some larger fish around 30 inches
also being landed. Many limits are being caught. Many foul-hooked fish are
being seen and anglers should note that snagging is prohibited and this law
is strictly enforced. The best locations are between the Conant Street
Bridge and Orleans Park. Anglers are using chartreuse, green, and orange
jigs. The outlook is excellent and should get even better with warmer
weather. For more updates on Maumee River fishing, anglers can call Side
Cut Metro Park's walleye fishing hotline at (419) 893-9740 Further updates on both Maumee and Sandusky rivers walleye fishing can also
be obtained by visiting the Division of Wildlife website at
www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/fishing and click on Fishing Reports. Central Basin Steelhead Streams:
Streams are coming down from recent rains. Steelhead trout fishing is
excellent where streams are fishable and there are fresh runs of fish
present. At the current time, fishing is excellent on the Chagrin River and
Conneaut Creek, as well as the smaller tributaries. The Grand and Rocky
rivers should be fishable soon as long as no additional rain events raise
stream levels. Use spawn bags, jigs and maggots, minnows, or flies such as
woolly buggers, weighted nymphs, egg patterns and streamers that imitate
shiners. Anglers should note that landowner permission is required to fish
on private property. Do not trespass.
Source: ODNR
|