Northwest Oho Fishing Report - May 24th, 2013

Posted on Thu, 23 May 2013

 Blanchard River (Hardin County)

Smallmouth bass are biting in the river. Fish are biting throughout the day. Try fishing below the Township Road 183 bridge. Anglers have been having the best success on light colored rooster tails. As with most river fishing this time of year, success is highly influenced by river levels.

Ferguson Reservoir (Allen County)

Crappies have been biting at this 305-acre reservoir located on Reservoir Road, on the east side of Lima. Anglers have been having the best success in the mornings and evenings. Try fishing along the east bank or north bank near the boat ramp with jigs or slip bobbers with minnows or wax worms underneath. The reservoir has a primitive boat ramp and boats are restricted to electric motors.

Norwalk Reservoir #2 (Huron County)

Norwalk Reservoir #2 is located southeast of  the city of Norwalk on Old State Road and State Route 18, two miles north of State Route 250. Crappies, yellow perch, and bluegills should be biting now. Try fishing the structure located along the south bank. Slip bobbers  tipped with wax worms and minnows usually work the best. There is a boat ramp located on the south bank; however, boats must be registered with the city of Norwalk and owners must pay an annual fee. Boats are limited to electric motors only. 

Northeast Oho Fishing Report - May 24th, 2013O

Posted on Thu, 23 May 2013

Portage Lakes (Summit County)

Bass are in various stages of spawning at this popular chain of lakes.  Pre-spawn fish are moving into near-shore weedbeds, where they can be caught on soft plastics such as tube jigs and lizards. Spawners can be located visually on their beds, while post-spawn fish will move to drop-offs near spawning habitat to recover. Don't be afraid to try bigger baits at this time of year to tempt larger fish.

LaDue Reservoir (Geauga County)

The bite has been hot for a variety of species at this picturesque, electric-motors-only lake. Crappies have been biting well near the causeways, taking minnows fished under a bobber or on perch rigs fished off the bottom. Walleyes are turning on as well, taking trolled crankbaits. LaDue's walleye population has one of the best size-structures in the area, so look for these fish to run larger than average. Northern pike are also being caught occasionally. Try large spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or minnow baits for these toothy predators.  Finally, sunfish are moving near to the shoreline. The classic bobber and worm rig is producing good catches near fallen trees and other cover.

Highlandtown Lake (Columbiana County)

Anglers are encountering good numbers of spawning bass at this wildlife area lake. Try spinnerbaits and bass jigs (brown or black and blue) at the lake’s western end, near lilly pads and flooded timber.  Consider using braided line to horse bass out of this heavy cover.  Downstream, probing structure such as points and the submerged road bed can also pay off. Channel catfish have also been active at Highlandtown, often surprising crappie or sunfish anglers fishing minnows and worms. 

Central Ohio Fishing Report - May 24th, 2013

Posted on Thu, 23 May 2013

Alum Creek Lake (Delaware County)

This 3,192-acre lake north of Columbus is a good bet for crappies, white bass, and channel catfish now. Fishing jigs and minnows suspended by a float around woody cover in the upper end of the lake and in coves is a good way to catch crappies. Crappies must be nine inches or longer to keep. Use minnows, jigs, and small spinners in the upper end of the lake north of Howard Road when seeking white bass. White bass are also available in the creek itself, at Kilbourne. The area above Howard Road has good numbers of channel catfish; use cut shad for best results.

Rush Creek Lake (Fairfield County)

Fish this small, secluded lake northeast of Lancaster for crappies, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.  Crappies are located around woody structure. Try using minnows or crappie jigs suspended under a bobber for the best success. As water temperatures warm, fish will move into shallower water. Largemouth bass can be caught using creature and tube baits around woody stickups. For catfish, fish the east end of the lake around woody cover using nightcrawlers and cut bait.  Outboard motors are limited to 10 horsepower or less.

Indian Lake (Logan County)

Saugeyes are being caught on wind-swept points and channel openings with current at this 5,040-acre lake in Logan County. Try casting or trolling small rattletraps and suspending crankbaits. Largemouth bass fishing is popular along the many stone riprap areas, docks, and islands.  Fishing the lily pads can be rewarding this time of year. Many bass are in the 12- to 18-inch size range and are in shallow water. Crappies and white bass fishing can both be good during May. Minnows are the most popular choice for live bait. Channel catfish fishing should be picking up as the water warms.

Southeast Ohio Fishing Report - May 24th, 2013

Posted on Thu, 23 May 2013

Lake White (Pike County)

As the temperatures warm back up, anglers can expect good catches of bluegills in the 333-acre lake. Try trolling a small spinner bait, which can help you cover a larger area in a shorter time and hopefully lead you to where the fish are congregated, then set up in that location. However, a simple worm fished under a bobber in about two feet of water in the cove area should be successful. Channel catfish can also be found by fishing worms and cut bait on the bottom.  The area near the park office has been a hot spot in recent years.

Dow Lake (Athens County)

Anglers are still reeling in rainbow trout by the dam and near the beach area on artificial baits. Don’t limit yourself, there are lots of options that can prove successful for these trout: corn, cheese, small spinners, and prepared baits can all catch fish.  Crappies have also been biting, and these active fish have a varied diet so again don’t limit yourself to one type of bait presentation. A popular rig is a small grub or minnow below a slip bobber, which can be vertically jigged.  Crappies have a thin mouth, so use a light rod and a light line so you can set the hook properly without pulling it out.

Southwest Ohio Fishing Report - May 24th, 2013

Posted on Thu, 23 May 2013

East Fork Lake (Clermont County)

Anglers are reporting success on crappies using minnows and jigs with tubes. Try chartreuse and white color patterns. They are generally being taken in 18 to 24 inches of water. Fish around structure, fallen trees, and in the coves. 

Rocky Fork Lake (Highland County)

Anglers are reporting decent saugeye fishing. Try crankbaits or troll with a Shad Rap. Crappies are hitting between three to four feet; use black or chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass are being taken with crankbaits in water two to six feet in depth.