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Big Darby Creek (Franklin, Madison, and Pickaway counties) – In summer weather, creeks and rivers can provide fishing action. Smallmouth bass: Casting small crankbaits or plastics resembling crayfish or shiners can be rewarding. Target boulders, shoreline cover, where pools meet riffles, and current eddies. Rock bass: Can be caught using the same techniques as smallmouth

Outhwaite Reservoir, Bucyrus Reservoir #4 (160 acres, Crawford County) – Bluegill: are being caught on the east side of the reservoir. Try using maggots or waxworms. Yellow perch: are also being caught fishing with maggots a few feet above a sinker on the bottom. There is no motor size restriction but a “no-wake” zone exists

Mogadore Reservoir (1,104 acres; Portage County) – Fishing from shore is somewhat limited, but the entire reservoir is available for boat fishing. Outboard motors are limited to electric only. Largemouth bass: biting well on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and plastic worms. Target deep weedlines. Catfish: cut shad remains a top bait for channel catfish, which run big

Hocking River (Athens and Hocking counties) – Channel catfish: The Hockingport area is generally a great place to find catfish. Use cut baits and chicken livers. The river at White’s Mill in Athens is another popular hot spot. Parking for access is on West Union Street. Fish above the island on the north bank with

Great Miami River (Miami, Montgomery, and Warren counties) – Catfish: Popular spots on the river are the deeper water areas below the low-head dams. Anglers can find fish lying in these deeper holes. Try using chicken livers, cut bait, earth worms, nightcrawlers, or live goldfish or bluegill for flatheads. Smallmouth bass and rock bass: are

Western Basin Walleye Where: The best walleye fishing reports have come from west of the Bass Islands, primarily from west of Rattlesnake Island and north to the Canadian border. How: Trolling anglers are using worm harnesses with inline weights, divers, or bottom bouncers, and spoons pulled behind divers. Casting anglers are using mayfly rigs or

Greenup Dam (Scioto County) – Hybrid striped bass: Try fishing cut baits and live baits off the bottom. White bass: Try using topwater lures as well as skipjack, chubs, shiners, and cut bait. Early morning will probably produce the most catches. Channel catfish: Most fish will probably be found on the bottom using tight-lining techniques