Tom Evans.

APRIL
Muskellunge
Paint Creek
Anglers can count on pole-bending muskie action at this tributary of Paint Creek Lake that flows through Highland and Fayette counties.

Muskies are ambush predators. Cast big lures close to submerged logs and vegetation, and then retrieve with a fast, irregular pace.

Access may be had off Route 753.

Steelhead Trout
Grand River
The Grand River flows through Ashtabula and Lake counties and is an excellent spring destination for steelies. The river is also home to largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Access is off Route 88 near East Farmington.

Rainbow Trout
Timbre Ridge Lake
Timbre Ridge Lake in Lawrence County is stocked annually with anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 rainbow trout. Anglers generally have the best luck in 8 to 10 feet of water.

Try fishing a black and yellow jig tipped with a mealworm. Access is off Route 775 near Wilgus.

Timbre Ridge Lake in Lawrence County is stocked annually with anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 rainbow trout. Anglers generally have the best luck in 8 to 10 feet of water.

MAY
White Bass
Maumee River
White bass migrate up this Lake Erie tributary to spawn. The run generally peaks in mid-May. Anglers may catch white bass ranging from 8 to 13 inches and occasionally larger.

The best Wood County stretch of the Maumee is from the Conant Street Bridge in Maumee upstream to the end of Jerome Road. Or try below the Grand Rapids-Providence Dam in Lucas County. Best-bet baits are floating jigs tipped with a minnow.

Access is off Maple Street in Perrysburg, or at Orleans Park.

Smallmouth Bass
Willard Reservoir
This 300-acre Huron County reservoir has plenty of bronzebacks averaging 10 to 15 inches. Fishing for smallmouth bass is best here in spring and summer.

No boats over 25 feet long are allowed, with electric motors only.

Access is off Route 61, two miles north of New Haven. Channel Catfish

Knox Lake
This lake in Knox County has a healthy population of channel cats in the 10-pound range. Every few years since 1999, the lake has been stocked with thousands of yearlings.

Anglers have the best luck night-fishing on the bottom with shrimp or night crawlers.

Access is northeast of Frederickstown on Route 95.

JUNE
Smallmouth Bass
Pike Island Pool
This stretch of the mighty Ohio River flows through Belmont and Jefferson counties and offers good opportunities for bronzebacks. Most fish will range from 10 to 15 inches.

The rocky shoreline along the main channel is plentiful. Anglers should also try below the New Cumberland Dam and around the islands.

Small jigs, night crawlers and minnows do the trick here.

Be sure to check for special regulations before heading out. For access details, check DeLorme’s Ohio Atlas and Gazetteer, Map 63.

Largemouth Bass
Ross Lake
This 143-acre lake in Ross County is a consistent producer of quality-sized largemouth bass. Fish here average 12 to 15 inches, with many larger specimens available. Ross Lake is also home to channel catfish and bluegills.

Electric motors only!

Access is off the Hydell Road east of the city of Chillicothe.

Channel Catfish
Salt Fork Lake
This 2,815-acre lake in Guernsey County offers anglers reliable catches of channel cats, especially in June and July. Many cats here weigh 12 to 15 pounds.

Fish around the Salt Fork Marina and bay near the Salt Fork State Park office and along U.S. Route 22.

Salt Fork is also home to saugeyes, muskellunge and bass.