Central Ohio Fishing Report – September 28th, 2012

Olentangy River (Delaware and Franklin Counties)

Smallmouth bass and rock bass are two fish species that give a lot of action to anglers on this river.  Good angling can be found from High Banks Metro Park to the Delaware Lake dam. Try spinners and crankbaits that mimic crawfish around rocks and other cover. Other sportfish present include crappies, saugeyes, carp and channel catfish. 

Kiser Lake (Champaign County)

This 394-acre lake in Champaign County is perfect for a quiet day on the water since no motors are allowed, gas or electric.  The lake has a good population of largemouth bass; try plastics, top water baits and crankbaits along the lily pads or cover on the north side to the lake. Crappies will become more active as the water cools this fall, fish with minnows in the old creek channel, or around woody cover. Bluegills are also being taken around aquatic vegetation and cover using wax worms and red worms. 

Deer Creek Lake (Fayette and Pickaway counties)

As water temperatures cool, fish activity will increase. For crappies, target woody cover in the creek channel and move to shallower water as water temperatures cool; try minnows or jigs suspended under bobbers. Large­mouth bass can be caught on buzzbaits, crankbaits and plastics while anglers fish shoreline cover.  Bluegills can be caught on wax worms and nightcrawlers. Channel catfish are feeding on cut bait and shrimp lakewide.

Kokosing River (Knox County)

Smallmouth bass are active around cover in upper pool areas. Use small crankbaits in crawfish or shiner patterns, but keep in mind that spinners are also effective. Rock bass can be caught in the same areas and on the same baits as smallmouth bass.  Channel catfish can be caught using shrimp, nightcrawlers and prepared baits. The Kokosing River Water Trail provides excellent access to the river; maps are available online at www.wildohio.com.