Northwest Oho Fishing Report – November 9th, 2012

Clear Fork Reservoir (Richland and Morrow counties)

Located just 8 miles south of Mansfield along State Route 97, this 971-acre reservoir is well known for its muskellunge population. It is one of the eight lakes stocked with muskellunge in Ohio. Muskie can be caught by fishing large crankbaits along the edges of weed beds. Anglers can also catch yellow perch using minnows and redworms. Crappies can be caught using minnows. Try fishing around fallen trees and other structure. There are three picnic areas with access to the lake located along the south side of the reservoir. Shore fishing is only allowed along the south and west shorelines from the Orewiler Road bridge to a point 1,000 feet upstream of the dam. There are no motor size restrictions, but an 8 mph speed limit is enforced by the city of Mansfield.

Ottawa Reservoir (Putnam County)

This 20-acre reservoir is located near the Putnam County Fairgrounds on South Agner Street. Try fishing for saugeyes, channel catfish and crappies in this small above-ground reservoir. For saugeyes, try using minnows, nightcrawlers and jigs tipped with worms. To catch crappies, use minnows suspended under a bobber. Catfish can be caught using nightcrawlers, shrimp or cut shad as bait. Try fishing along the shoreline in the evening. Boats are allowed, but are restricted to electric motors only. There is no boat ramp, so only small boats which can be carried may be used.

Bellevue Reservoir No. 5 (Huron County)

This should be a good time to catch crappies and yellow perch at this 85-acre reservoir located at the intersection of State Route 547 and County Road 30. Try for crappies in the mornings and evenings using minnows on the north and south banks. For perch, try fishing the west side using minnows under a slip bobber. Fishing is from the shore only.

Findlay Reservoir No. 2 (Hancock County)

Findlay Reservoir No.2 is located southwest of Findlay on Township Road 207. It is 629 acres in size with 4.2 miles of shoreline. There is a full boat ramp at the southern shore of the reservoir. Yellow perch and white bass should be biting this month. White bass can be found feeding near the surface in schools throughout the reservoir. During the fall, yellow perch can be caught around structure. The best baits include minnows and red worms fished near the bottom with spreaders or crappie rigs. Anglers should still be able to hook into some walleyes in the mornings and evenings near the shoreline. There is a 9.9-horsepower limit on the reservoir.