CJ BROWN RESERVOIR
One of the best walleye lakes in the western portion of the state is CJ Brown Reservoir in Clark County, where an excellent walleye population is maintained through aggressive stocking of fingerling-stage walleyes. During recent years, fingerling stockings of 200,000 to 400,000 fish have been the norm.

The typical walleye caught by anglers ranges from 13 to 18 inches, though brutes up to 12 pounds are found in the 2,120-acre lake.

Creel surveys list the average creeled fish at 17 inches, which is a good size. A 15-inch length limit is in place on walleyes.

The upper end of CJ Brown is shallow. In the main basin of the lake, anglers will find faster-breaking shorelines along the western shore. Buck Creek State Park, on the lake’s eastern side, provides a host of amenities, including boat rentals and camping.

The same presentation options and techniques for Mosquito and Pymatuning will work when fishing other inland walleye lakes. Most Ohio lakes have gizzard shad, and where you find shad, you’ll be able to take walleyes by trolling aggressive-action crankbaits during the summer.

GRAND LAKE ST. MARYS
Broad, shallow, turbid Grand Lake St. Marys provides good fishing for a host of species, walleyes included. It furnishes a good summer option for walleye anglers from the western portion of the state.

Grand Lake St. Marys receives stockings of both fry and fingerling walleyes. Since 1999, over 50 million fry have been introduced into the 13,550-acre lake. Add to that fingerling stockings, many of which approaching 1 million, and it’s not surprising that the lake contains a good supply of ‘eyes.

Lying in an east-west direction, Grand Lake St. Marys can get churned up pretty well from west (or east) winds. Safety must be a concern -- keep in mind that some 25 boaters died in Pennsylvania in 2006 -- and wear your PFD!

One of the keys to finding walleyes on this heavily-silted lake is locating areas of solid bottom, which on this lake means hard clay and sand such as are found off the lake’s north shore. The deeper water near the west boat ramp is another known walleye producer.

The Ohio DNR maintains seven boat access areas around the lake. There is no horsepower restriction.

Fishing Hot Spots, Inc., produces maps of Mosquito and Pymatuning lakes. The ODOW also has maps of those two, plus CJ Brown and Grand Lake St. Marys. Maps may be downloaded free from the ODOW’s Web site at www.dnr.state.oh.us. Click on “Fish and Wildlife,” “Fishing,” and then “Lake Maps.”

Sportsman’s Connection produces two excellent fishing map guides, one that covers the southern portion of the state, and another for the north.

Contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife at 1-800-945-3543 for additional information on Ohio’s inland walleye opportunities this summer.

Find more about Ohio fishing and hunting at: OhioGameandFish.com