Ohio's 2004 Fishing Calendar
Here's a sampling of 36 great fishing trips for Buckeye State anglers to consider as they plan their 2004 fishing vacation getaways.
| 2004 FISHING CALENDAR
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The calendar is in PDF format. The Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free here.
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By Brian Ruzzo
When you cross into Ohio, you're welcomed to the state by the slogan "In the heart of it all" - and this couldn't ring truer for anglers. Centrally-located Ohio provides a collage of opportunities for every angling taste.
For example: Southern Ohio is a gateway to hill country reservoirs. Some of these waters boast excellent crappie populations, while others harbor thriving bass or muskie fisheries. Additionally, the legendary Ohio River yields trophy catfish.
Lake Erie is one of the top angling destinations in the country, offering world-class fishing for walleyes and smallmouth bass. Furthermore, the Lake Erie tributaries feature great steelhead fishing.
Listing all of the Buckeye State's great fishing destinations is a daunting task, but here's a sampling of a few of the best places to go as you plan your 2004 fishing getaways!
JANUARY
Bluegills
Lake La Su An Our 2004 fishing "dream trip" schedule begins with winter bluegills. The Lake La Su An ponds and lakes are managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife for bass and bluegills. Once ice covers the lakes, it's the bluegills that attract the most attention.
Photo by Ron Sinfelt
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To maintain quality fishing, the ODOW has implemented a permit system. For information and a map, call (419) 459-4676.
Saugeyes
Indian Lake Ohio's big lakes sometimes freeze over in January, but sometimes it is warm enough to fish wearing just a sweatshirt. If 2004 turns out to be one of those warm years and Indian Lake remains open, don't overlook lake's saugeye fishery, which often draws more attention now than it does during the summer.
The stumpfields in the northeastern portion of the lake are a good place to start. A ramp between Seminole and Shawnee islands provides the best access to the northeastern section. State Route 368 provides access to the islands and the ramp.
FEBRUARY
Walleyes
Lake Erie No Buckeye State fishing calendar would be complete without a wintertime trip to Lake Erie for walleyes. The Bass Island and Sandusky Bay regions are perennial favorites. Stop in at local bait shops for current information and tips, or just follow the crowds.
White Bass
Ohio River White and hybrid bass are the most abundant game fish species in the Ohio River. And while May is the top month for catching white bass, plenty of good action is to be had in February, especially near warmwater discharges.
Look for coal-fired power plants up and down the river and set up downstream of the discharge near eddies and slicks bordering faster water. White bass will hold in the slower water.
MARCH
Steelhead
Lake Erie Tributaries This is one of the best angling trips of the year! In March, water levels and temperatures are usually just right for hot steelhead angling. Four streams are the highlights of the Ohio steelhead fishery: Conneaut Creek and the Grand, Chagrin and Rocky rivers.
Steelhead spend their first few years in Lake Erie gorging on baitfish. By the time these trout enter the tributaries, they range from 9 to 11 pounds, with some bigger fish.
For current stream conditions, contact the ODOW's District Three office at (330) 644-2293.
Brown Trout
Mad River The Mad River is another great trout fishery that kicks off in March. Brown trout ranging up to 20 inches can be taken by anglers fishing weighted nymphs. Because the Mad has been channelized, the pools are wide and deep. Patient anglers able to walk or float the stream should target ledges or sudden depth changes.
The best water is in the area north of Springfield.
APRIL
Crappies
Grand Lake St. Marys April showers may bring spring flowers, but if you're a crappie angler, you know that they also bring your quarry to the shallows. Ohio has plenty of quality crappie lakes, but Grand Lake St. Marys ranks near the top every year. Expect plenty of 8-inch-plus fish here.
While the entire 12,500-acre lake contains ideal crappie habitat, the best cover is along the southern shore and its channels. Boats may be launched from the Windy Point Boat Launch on state Route 219.
Crappies
Seneca Lake Seneca Lake provides eastern Ohio anglers with a great springtime crappie destination. Since 1984, the ODOW has bolstered existing crappie cover with thousands of Christmas trees, which in combination with natural cover provide excellent habitat for a thriving population of 8- to 9-inch crappies.
The north-central portion of the lake has been particularly productive in recent seasons.
MAY
Largemouth Bass
AEP Lands The launch ramps of many Buckeye State lakes are often overcrowded with bass boats, but the American Electric Power ponds and lakes provide bassers with a quiet alternative. Boasting 350 lakes and ponds, anglers should have no problem finding a place to fish. Recent surveys have recorded bass over 20 inches.
Located primarily in Morgan County, the AEP lands can be reached via state routes 83, 284, and 78. A free permit is required. For a permit or a map, call (740) 589-9930.
Bluegills
Rush Run Lake One of Ohio's most scenic lakes, 58-acre Rush Run is surrounded by Preble County's rolling, forested hills. It's also one of our top bluegill fisheries; according to biologists, Rush Run 'gills average 6 to 8 inches, with some fish up to 10 inches.
The bluegills will be found in shallow water this month. Since much of the lake is filled with standing timber, finding cover should be easy. (Note: Only electric trolling motors are permitted here.)
JUNE
Smallmouths
Bass Islands If you haven't had a chance to fish for Lake Erie smallmouths, you need to make plans right now! By June the big lake's bronzeback fishing will be at full throttle.
The appropriately-named Bass Islands are tough to beat. Surrounded by rocky shorelines and nearby reefs, the Bass Island region provides smallmouths with plenty of cover and food. Boaters can launch from multiple sites along Sandusky Bay or Marblehead Peninsula.
Channel Cats
Buckeye Lake June also marks the beginning of catfish season. Sure, you can catch cats during spring - but right now is the time to start planning those nighttime outings that often yield some of the biggest fish of the year.
Buckeye Lake is on everyone's list when it comes to big channel cats. Its average channel cat measures 14 inches, and plenty of 10-pounders lurk there as well.
On average, the lake is less than 10 feet deep. Look for deeper holes near Cranberry, Avondale, and Ayles landings.
JULY
Walleyes
Lake Erie If you missed the winter walleye action, try fishing Lake Erie in the dead of summer. In the western basin most of the action is centered on Kellys Island. The northern and eastern sides of the island are lined with deep-water reefs that will hold summertime fish.
In the central basin the water drops off quickly, and the best fishing can be found offshore. The sandbar running just north of Lorain to the International Line is known as a worthwhile place to troll. The sandbar only rises 6 feet off the bottom, but that's all it takes to attract walleyes.
Walleyes
C. J. Brown Reservoir
The lesser-known walleye fishery at C. J. Brown is also a top summertime destination. Walleyes here average 16 inches, but state biologists have reported fish as larges as 13 pounds during netting surveys.
The best summer fishing can be found in the northern end of the lake. Several old roadbeds in this region create multiple humps that rise above the thermocline.
AUGUST
Catfish
Ohio River The mighty Ohio River produces some mighty catfish catches, especially of big flatheads. It's not uncommon to boat 30-, 40- and even 50- pound flatheads. Channel cats up to 20 pounds are also a possibility.
During the dog days of summer, look for dropoffs and holes along outside bends. Holes with wood or trash along the bottom are even better bets.
Catfish
Muskingum River This Ohio River tributary is also a top summertime catfish destination. Loaded with both channel and flathead catfish, the Muskingum River features a series of nine locks and dams. All of the associated tailwaters are very productive, with the Lowell, Luke Chute, and Devola tailwaters particularly so for channel cats; the best flathead fishing can be found at the Ellis tailwaters or in the Y-Bridge region.
SEPTEMBER
Muskies
Salt Fork Lake While other Midwestern states often garner the attention of anglers, Ohio continues to offer some of the best muskie fishing in the U.S. In southeast Ohio, 2,952-acre Salt Fork Lake comprises two main arms: Salt Fork and Sugar Tree.
When it comes to muskies, Sugar Tree is the place to be. Lined with plenty of weed cover, Sugar Tree should provide fast action when the water temperatures start to drop this month.
Salt Fork State Park - (614) 439-3521 - offers two launch sites.
Largemouth Bass
Knox Lake This 495-acre Knox County reservoir is tough to beat when it comes to Buckeye State bass fishing. Managed for trophy largemouths, Knox Lake has an 18-inch minimum. Anglers can expect to catch plenty of almost-legal bass, with a chance for a legitimate 7-pound fish.
Access to Knox Lake is provided by state Route 95. Launch sites are available; a 10 horsepower motor limit is in effect.
OCTOBER
Yellow Perch
Lake Erie This is your last chance to get in on the great fall perch frenzy! Every August, Lake Erie yellow perch begin to school up and move out of their deep-water haunts. By October, the fish should be concentrated in large schools in shallow water. In the western basin, anglers should target reefs near Green, Rattlesnake, and Kellys islands. The Catawba State Park ramp is a good place to launch.
For a current fishing report, call 1-888-HOOK-FISH.
Smallmouths
Streams Statewide
Ohio has a vast network of rivers and streams. Many of these waterways support excellent smallmouth bass fisheries. A few years ago, sections of five top bass waterways - Big Darby and Little Beaver creeks and the Sandusky, Hocking and Stillwater rivers - were selected for special-regulations management. Only one bass over 15 inches may be harvested from these stretches.
NOVEMBER
Trout
Stocked Lakes The Ohio Division of Wildlife stocks scores of lakes with rainbow trout each year. Usually occurring in October and November, the stockings give anglers a late-season coldwater fishery of considerable quality. A complete listing of stocked waters may be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.
Saugeyes
Charles Mill Tailwaters
In central Ohio, the Charles Mill tailwaters provide Ohio anglers with yet another great coldwater fishery that can sustain their cravings through the winter months. Fish jigs slowly along the rocky bottom, and be prepared to lose plenty of terminal tackle - all part of fishing the tailwaters for saugeyes.
Access to the area is provided by state Route 511.
DECEMBER
Saugers
Ohio River Once the water temperature drops into the 50s, saugers begin to congregate below tailwaters and near stream confluences. The migration is not as intense as it is before the spring spawn, but fair numbers of saugers can still be taken below the tailwaters this month. For more information or a complete listing of access sites, call 1-800-WILDLIFE and request a copy of the Ohio River Fishing Guide.
Saugeyes
Deer Creek Tailwaters Located halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus off Interstate Route 71, Deer Creek Reservoir has become a favorite with wintertime anglers. In 1978, saugeyes were introduced and since then there has been no looking back. Fish will average 1 to 2 pounds, but 3- and 4-pounders are not uncommon. Several state-record specimens have been taken from the Deer Creek tailwaters.
As at the Charles Mill tailwaters, the best bait is a simple jig tipped with minnows.
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