ODNR Fishing Report 3/07/2006: OH

Article Posted: March 07, 206

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**Remember that 2006 Ohio fishing licenses will be required after February 28. The walleye daily bag limit will be 4 fish from March 1 through April 30. A 15" minimum size limit for walleye remains in effect for the entire season. Starting March 1 the Lake Erie daily bag limit for yellow perch increases to 40 fish. Lake Erie black bass (smallmouth and largemouth bass) are closed to possession (catch and release only) May 1 through June 23. The daily bag limit for black bass on Lake Erie is 5 before May 1 and after June 23. The minimum size limit for black bass on Lake Erie is 14". See the 2006 regulations brochure for specific hook restrictions and closed areas pertaining to tributary and bay fishing during the walleye runs in March and April.**

North winds have pushed main lake ice nearshore. Many of the popular launches are currently blocked with ice (3/7/06). Rain and warm weather in the forecast should help to melt ice and open launches. The water temperature is still in the mid 30’s.

As March approaches spring walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass fishing will improve as the water temperatures warm. Walleye spawning in the rivers will start in early to mid March with the peak runs in the Sandusky and Maumee Rivers being in late March and early April. Lake Erie reef walleye spawning usually gets started in mid to late March and peaks in mid April. Large female walleye can be caught in the island area and around the Camp Perry reefs before and after they spawn. Numbers of male walleye can be caught during spawning on and around the reefs.

Jigging with jigheads, jigging spoons, or vibrating blade baits are popular methods for catching walleye on the reefs. Troll crankbaits or worm harnesses to catch the larger fish staging off of the reefs and around the islands. In the rivers walleye can be caught on jigheads tipped with twister tails.

For Steelhead fishing information visit: http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/Fishing/fairport/steelhead.htm

Lake Erie surface temperatures range from 33 to 37 degrees


Source: ODNR






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