White Bass Fishing Report for Maumee and Sandusky Rivers

April 23, 2003
White bass are being caught in both the Sandusky and Maumee rivers, along with male walleye remaining from the spawning run. Some limits of 16 to 22” male walleye are being reported in the Maumee River by anglers using floating jigheads tipped with twister tails weighted with splitshot 24” above the lure. Fishing on Lake Erie has been slowed by strong north winds. When conditions allow, walleye are being caught both on the reef complex and the surrounding flats of the Bass Islands area. On the reefs the most productive technique has been lead-head jigs tipped with shiners and a stinger hook, with limit catches being reported. Trolling in deeper water near the reefs has produced trophy walleye in the 10 pound class. Crankbaits and minnow imitating stickbaits trolled in the top ten feet of water have been used to catch post-spawn females.
Steelhead fishing in the tributaries has been excellent this spring, but the season will most likely be over by the first week of May. Approximately 53,000 steelhead smolts, averaging 6” were stocked in the Rocky River April 22. Anglers should wet their hands and gently unhook and release these fish immediately (there is a 12” minimum length limit to protect recently-stocked smolts). PLEASE TREAT THE RECENTLY RELEASED TROUT SMOLTS CAREFULLY; THESE FISH ARE THE FUTURE OF OHIO’S STEELHEAD FISHERY!

Reprinted with permission from the ODNR.