ODNR Weekly Fishing Reports
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ODNR Weekly Fishing Reports
ODNR Fishing Reports-These are updated weekly and come straight for the ODNR website. If you have anything to add to the reports please do so. Also if you see a report before I get around to posting it please let me know.
:note: I will not be posting new reports on a new post. I will erase the last weeks post and put the updated one in its place. THANKS-O.F.
The Fish Ohio Report
August 27, 2008
CENTRAL OHIO
Alum Creek Lake (Delaware County) – Smallmouth bass are being caught in this lake north of Columbus. Using crankbaits and spinner baits, target the main and secondary lake points where rip rap or hard bottom is present. Saugeye can be caught in the same areas. Also try trolling in front of the beach at dawn and dusk. Crappies are being found around wood in 10 to 15 feet of water; use jigs or minnows. Crappies will move into shallower water as temperatures decrease this fall. Muskie can provide good action this time of year. Troll crank baits along the points and dam.
Rush Creek Lake (Fairfield County) – Channel catfish can be caught in this lake east of Lancaster. Use cut shad, shrimp or night crawlers fished in east or south ends for best results. Bluegills are providing some actions around cover in the east end. Use wax worms or redworms fished under a bobber. Largemouth bass are also being caught here. Largemouth bass must be 15 inches or longer to keep. There is a 10 horsepower limit on the lake.
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NORTHWEST OHIO
Sandusky River (Sandusky County) – The water levels are low and the water is clear. The water temperature is 75 degrees. Large numbers of white bass are being taken in the river. This annual run happens in the late summer. Male white bass are being taken on minnows, jigs and tails or spinners. Catches of 25 to 50 are common. The best areas to try are the sugar plant area, the sand docks at the water discharge, the downtown Fremont area and the Ballville Dam. Any of the deeper pools are holding fish.
Fostoria Reservoir #5 (Hancock County) – Bluegills are biting on wax worms in five feet of water. The best time is mid day and anywhere along the shoreline is good.
Upper Sandusky Reservoir (Wyandot County) – Bluegills are biting on redworms in five feet of water. The best time to catch these great bluegills is in the evening. Anywhere along the shoreline is great.
Ottawa Reservoir (Putnam County) – Bluegill are biting on wax worms in four to six feet of water. Mornings are the best time. Use a slip bobber along the south dike.
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NORTHEAST OHIO
Akron Youth Fishing Area (Summit County) – This is the last weekend for this very accessible, family-friendly fishing area which is open to the public at Wildlife District Three in Akron. Plenty of sunfish, catfish, and crappie are still lurking in the waters waiting to be caught by kids 15 years and younger. The area is open 9am to 7pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Labor Day. Kids can fish as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Bait, rods, and tackle are provided and DOW employee is available for questions and to assist the youngsters with fishing. Restrooms are available as well. Don’t let this opportunity be the one that got away! Visit the area at 912 Portage Lakes Drive, just off of SR 93/Manchester Road.
Cuyahoga River (Summit County) – In the middle stretch of the Cuyahoga River near Edison Dam and near Metroparks Serving Summit County’s Cascade Park, reports of smallmouth bass up to 17-inches have been caught on crankbaits, jig and grub combos, and soft plastics that mimic crayfish. A small number of unconfirmed reports of early run steelhead in this area have been received by Division of Wildlife biologists as well. Minnow-imitating crankbaits may produce good results for these trout.
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SOUTHWEST OHIO
Paint Creek (Highland County) – Crappies are being caught by anglers using crappie minnows or small jigs colored black or chartreuse as bait. Keep the bait five to seven feet deep. Fish the bait around any type of woody structure such as downed trees and overhanging brush. Channel catfish are being caught in the creek arms on cut bait. Fish the bait long the bottom of Rattlesnake and Paint creeks near where they enter into the lake. Largemouth bass are being caught by anglers using crankbaits to fish the main lake points. Best time to fish is during the evening or night time hours. Bluegills are being caught by anglers using wax worms under a bobber as bait. Fish the bait five to seven feet deep. Good fishing spots are back in the coves, near stumps, and around fallen timber. Saugeye are being caught by anglers fishing with shad wraps or by dragging a twister tail. Troll the bait in flats (shallow water) or about seven to 10 feet deep between the beach and island.
Acton Lake (Preble County) – Channel catfish are biting on creek chubs or night crawlers fished along the bottom or between eight to 19 feet deep during the late evening or early morning hours. Fishing for channel catfish is productive anywhere in the lake. Bluegills are being caught by anglers using wax worms or night crawlers as bait. Saugeye have been active in this lake. Try a variety of lures fished trolling up and down the lake and are catching them on bottom bouncers and night crawler rigs. Silver or gold colored night crawler rigs are working well. Fish the bait in water that is greater than 10 feet deep.
Caesar Creek (Clinton, Greene, and Warren counties) - Anglers casting in-line spinners and crankbaits are catching muskellunge. Last weekend a 49-inch catch was reported. The musky was taken in one of the smaller creeks leading into the lake. If you catch a musky please report your catch to the Division of Wildlife’s Musky Angler Log at http://www.ohiodnr.com/muskielog/welcome.aspx . The Muskie Angler Log was developed in partnership with the Ohio Muskie Anglers as a resource for Ohio Muskie anglers and to support muskie management efforts in Ohio by providing valuable muskie catch data to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Saugeye anglers are catching a few 15 to 18 inch fish from six to 15 feet depths, but most fish are small. Troll medium or deep diving crankbaits along submerged points or underwater humps. Cast or drift with live night crawlers on a bottom bouncing harness rig, or use a lead head jig tipped with a piece of worm. Fish in the early morning and early evening hours. Channel catfish are being caught by shore anglers using nightcrawlers, shrimp, and chicken livers. Fish the bait tight line along the bottom in five to eight foot depths.
***PASSPORT TO FISHING”**** One last “Passport to Fishing” will be offered at the Wildlife District Five Headquarters on September 15th. “Passport to Fishing” is sponsored in part by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Fishing fundamentals are taught including casting, knots and rigging, habitat and handling. Passport is geared towards youth ages 4 – 17, and is an easy way to learn the basics of angling, get kids outdoors and on the road to a lifetime of recreational activity. The session is free and will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 12:00 p.m. Space is limited and interested individuals must pre-register by calling Jeff Wenning at (937) 372-9261. All participants ages four to 12 must be accompanied by an adult. We strongly encourage parent participation during the event. The Wildlife District Five Headquarters is located at 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, OH 45385.
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SOUTHEAST OHIO
Piedmont Lake (Belmont County) – Smallmouth bass have been biting well. Successful anglers are fishing in the early evening, night, as well as early morning. Fish along shallow points in three to five feet of water. Anglers are using tube jigs and spinner baits. Spinner baits can be used with a slow retrieve or allowed to helicopter down.
Hanging Rock Ponds (Lawrence County) – Numerous small ponds dot the Hanging Rock area. Water temperatures have been hovering around 82 degrees. Anglers are catching largemouth bass up to 15-inches on buzzbaits, plastic worms and crankbaits fished in the early evening and past dark.
Woodbury Wildlife Area Ponds (Coshocton County) – Most ponds are stable and clear. Sunfish are being caught on small worms or wax worms. Largemouth bass in the eight to 15 inch range have been caught on darker-colored rubber worms during the evening hours or top water lures at night.
Forked Run Lake (Meigs County) – Anglers report success fishing for channel catfish in the shallow end of the lake. Successful rigs were baited with chicken livers or night crawlers and fished under a bobber suspended six feet deep. Fishing for bluegill has also been successful using wax worms or night crawlers fished under a bobber. 10 horsepower limit at this 107-acre lake.
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LAKE ERIE
**The daily bag limit for Lake Erie yellow perch dropped from 30 to 25 fish per angler effective July 1, 2008 in waters west of the Huron pier. The daily bag limit will remain at 30 fish per angler in Ohio waters from Huron eastward. Any boats landing west of Huron, Ohio will be subject to the 25 fish daily bag limit, while boats landing at Huron or points east will be subject to a 30 fish daily bag limit. Shore-based anglers west of the Huron pier will be subject to a 25 fish daily bag limit, while those on the pier and eastward will remain at 30 fish daily.**
**The walleye bag limit is 6 fish per day. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15”.**
**The black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) daily bag limit is 5 fish with a 14” minimum size limit.**
**The steelhead trout daily bag limit is 5. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches.**
Western Basin
Walleye fishing has remained slow over the past week. The best fishing was around Northwest Reef (NW of West Reef) and also five miles NE of Kelleys Island near the old “C” can on the Canadian border. Drifting with bottom bouncers and worm harnesses or casting mayfly rigs has been productive. Trollers have been catching fish on spoons with divers, or worm harnesses fished with inline weights, snap weights, bottom bouncers, or divers. The best spoon colors have been pinks and purples.
The best Yellow Perch fishing in the islands area has been between Rattlesnake Island and Green Island. Other areas that have produced perch include “B” and “C” cans of the Camp Perry firing range and NE of Kelleys Island. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.
Central Basin
Walleye fishing has been good E of the southern half of the sandbar NW of Lorain five to seven miles out. Fishing has slowed down in the Cleveland area this past week so there are no locations to report. Very good fishing has been reported 10 to 15 miles N of Geneva in 70 to 74-feet of water, and seven to 15 miles NE and NW of Ashtabula in 68 to 74-feet of water. Trollers are using worm harnesses, spoons or stickbaits off jet divers, dipsy divers, planer boards and downriggers. Worm harnesses and spoons continue to be the top baits. The best action has been about 25 to 50 feet down, and the best colors have been chartreuse, purple, orange, green, and black with copper or gold/red.
Yellow perch fishing is good offshore in the Cleveland area and also east to Conneaut. The best spots to fish are NW of Gordon Park in 53 to 55 feet of water, NW of Chagrin River in 45 to 50 feet of water, NW of Fairport Harbor in 38 to 50-feet of water, and N of Conneaut in 60 to 65-feet of water. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish. Don’t forget to try several turns up from the bottom as some fish may be suspended. Fish have ranged from eight to 13 inches.
White bass fishing has been very good off Eastlake CEI power plant in 15-30 feet of water. Anglers are using agitators with blue/silver spoons and jigs tipped with twister tails.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good in 16 to 26-feet of water around Cleveland, Fairport Harbor, Ashtabula and Conneaut harbors. Fish are being caught on watermelon, pumpkinseed and green tube jigs and drop-shot goby imitations.
Steelhead are being caught by anglers while walleye fishing seven to 15 miles offshore from Geneva and Ashtabula in 65 to 74 feet of water. Anglers are catching steelhead on blue or green with silver spoons while trolling using downriggers, dipsy divers, or jet divers off planer boards.
Based on the nearshore forecast the water temperature is 71 off of Toledo and 73 off of Cleveland.
Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.
To view the predicted weather forecast for Lake Erie visit: http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=/raw/fz/fzus61.kcle.glf.le.txt
To view Lake Erie boating information, safety tips, and launch ramps visit: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/default/tabid/2062/Default.aspx
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OHIO RIVER
Lawrence County – Water temperature is 80 degrees and falling. Anglers are having good luck with channel catfish using minnows and chicken livers. Baits are being fished on the bottom. Channel catfish up to 25-inches are being caught.
Belmont County – Both flathead catfish and channel catfish are being caught using chicken livers fished on the bottom. Rains in the upper Ohio River watershed may trigger catfish to feed even better. Water temperatures are in the low 80’s.
Gallia County – Try fishing for catfish in the evenings and through the night where the deeper holes start to get shallow using cut bait, livers or shrimp.
Clermont County - Channel catfish and flathead are being caught below the Meldahl Dam using shad and skipjack herring fished tight on the bottom. Fishing during the night seems to be the best time to fish for channel catfish and flathead catfish. Flathead catfish are generally caught using live bait such as shad and skipjack herring. Water temperatures are in the mid-80 degree range.
:note: I will not be posting new reports on a new post. I will erase the last weeks post and put the updated one in its place. THANKS-O.F.
The Fish Ohio Report
August 27, 2008
CENTRAL OHIO
Alum Creek Lake (Delaware County) – Smallmouth bass are being caught in this lake north of Columbus. Using crankbaits and spinner baits, target the main and secondary lake points where rip rap or hard bottom is present. Saugeye can be caught in the same areas. Also try trolling in front of the beach at dawn and dusk. Crappies are being found around wood in 10 to 15 feet of water; use jigs or minnows. Crappies will move into shallower water as temperatures decrease this fall. Muskie can provide good action this time of year. Troll crank baits along the points and dam.
Rush Creek Lake (Fairfield County) – Channel catfish can be caught in this lake east of Lancaster. Use cut shad, shrimp or night crawlers fished in east or south ends for best results. Bluegills are providing some actions around cover in the east end. Use wax worms or redworms fished under a bobber. Largemouth bass are also being caught here. Largemouth bass must be 15 inches or longer to keep. There is a 10 horsepower limit on the lake.
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NORTHWEST OHIO
Sandusky River (Sandusky County) – The water levels are low and the water is clear. The water temperature is 75 degrees. Large numbers of white bass are being taken in the river. This annual run happens in the late summer. Male white bass are being taken on minnows, jigs and tails or spinners. Catches of 25 to 50 are common. The best areas to try are the sugar plant area, the sand docks at the water discharge, the downtown Fremont area and the Ballville Dam. Any of the deeper pools are holding fish.
Fostoria Reservoir #5 (Hancock County) – Bluegills are biting on wax worms in five feet of water. The best time is mid day and anywhere along the shoreline is good.
Upper Sandusky Reservoir (Wyandot County) – Bluegills are biting on redworms in five feet of water. The best time to catch these great bluegills is in the evening. Anywhere along the shoreline is great.
Ottawa Reservoir (Putnam County) – Bluegill are biting on wax worms in four to six feet of water. Mornings are the best time. Use a slip bobber along the south dike.
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NORTHEAST OHIO
Akron Youth Fishing Area (Summit County) – This is the last weekend for this very accessible, family-friendly fishing area which is open to the public at Wildlife District Three in Akron. Plenty of sunfish, catfish, and crappie are still lurking in the waters waiting to be caught by kids 15 years and younger. The area is open 9am to 7pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Labor Day. Kids can fish as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Bait, rods, and tackle are provided and DOW employee is available for questions and to assist the youngsters with fishing. Restrooms are available as well. Don’t let this opportunity be the one that got away! Visit the area at 912 Portage Lakes Drive, just off of SR 93/Manchester Road.
Cuyahoga River (Summit County) – In the middle stretch of the Cuyahoga River near Edison Dam and near Metroparks Serving Summit County’s Cascade Park, reports of smallmouth bass up to 17-inches have been caught on crankbaits, jig and grub combos, and soft plastics that mimic crayfish. A small number of unconfirmed reports of early run steelhead in this area have been received by Division of Wildlife biologists as well. Minnow-imitating crankbaits may produce good results for these trout.
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SOUTHWEST OHIO
Paint Creek (Highland County) – Crappies are being caught by anglers using crappie minnows or small jigs colored black or chartreuse as bait. Keep the bait five to seven feet deep. Fish the bait around any type of woody structure such as downed trees and overhanging brush. Channel catfish are being caught in the creek arms on cut bait. Fish the bait long the bottom of Rattlesnake and Paint creeks near where they enter into the lake. Largemouth bass are being caught by anglers using crankbaits to fish the main lake points. Best time to fish is during the evening or night time hours. Bluegills are being caught by anglers using wax worms under a bobber as bait. Fish the bait five to seven feet deep. Good fishing spots are back in the coves, near stumps, and around fallen timber. Saugeye are being caught by anglers fishing with shad wraps or by dragging a twister tail. Troll the bait in flats (shallow water) or about seven to 10 feet deep between the beach and island.
Acton Lake (Preble County) – Channel catfish are biting on creek chubs or night crawlers fished along the bottom or between eight to 19 feet deep during the late evening or early morning hours. Fishing for channel catfish is productive anywhere in the lake. Bluegills are being caught by anglers using wax worms or night crawlers as bait. Saugeye have been active in this lake. Try a variety of lures fished trolling up and down the lake and are catching them on bottom bouncers and night crawler rigs. Silver or gold colored night crawler rigs are working well. Fish the bait in water that is greater than 10 feet deep.
Caesar Creek (Clinton, Greene, and Warren counties) - Anglers casting in-line spinners and crankbaits are catching muskellunge. Last weekend a 49-inch catch was reported. The musky was taken in one of the smaller creeks leading into the lake. If you catch a musky please report your catch to the Division of Wildlife’s Musky Angler Log at http://www.ohiodnr.com/muskielog/welcome.aspx . The Muskie Angler Log was developed in partnership with the Ohio Muskie Anglers as a resource for Ohio Muskie anglers and to support muskie management efforts in Ohio by providing valuable muskie catch data to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Saugeye anglers are catching a few 15 to 18 inch fish from six to 15 feet depths, but most fish are small. Troll medium or deep diving crankbaits along submerged points or underwater humps. Cast or drift with live night crawlers on a bottom bouncing harness rig, or use a lead head jig tipped with a piece of worm. Fish in the early morning and early evening hours. Channel catfish are being caught by shore anglers using nightcrawlers, shrimp, and chicken livers. Fish the bait tight line along the bottom in five to eight foot depths.
***PASSPORT TO FISHING”**** One last “Passport to Fishing” will be offered at the Wildlife District Five Headquarters on September 15th. “Passport to Fishing” is sponsored in part by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Fishing fundamentals are taught including casting, knots and rigging, habitat and handling. Passport is geared towards youth ages 4 – 17, and is an easy way to learn the basics of angling, get kids outdoors and on the road to a lifetime of recreational activity. The session is free and will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 12:00 p.m. Space is limited and interested individuals must pre-register by calling Jeff Wenning at (937) 372-9261. All participants ages four to 12 must be accompanied by an adult. We strongly encourage parent participation during the event. The Wildlife District Five Headquarters is located at 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, OH 45385.
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SOUTHEAST OHIO
Piedmont Lake (Belmont County) – Smallmouth bass have been biting well. Successful anglers are fishing in the early evening, night, as well as early morning. Fish along shallow points in three to five feet of water. Anglers are using tube jigs and spinner baits. Spinner baits can be used with a slow retrieve or allowed to helicopter down.
Hanging Rock Ponds (Lawrence County) – Numerous small ponds dot the Hanging Rock area. Water temperatures have been hovering around 82 degrees. Anglers are catching largemouth bass up to 15-inches on buzzbaits, plastic worms and crankbaits fished in the early evening and past dark.
Woodbury Wildlife Area Ponds (Coshocton County) – Most ponds are stable and clear. Sunfish are being caught on small worms or wax worms. Largemouth bass in the eight to 15 inch range have been caught on darker-colored rubber worms during the evening hours or top water lures at night.
Forked Run Lake (Meigs County) – Anglers report success fishing for channel catfish in the shallow end of the lake. Successful rigs were baited with chicken livers or night crawlers and fished under a bobber suspended six feet deep. Fishing for bluegill has also been successful using wax worms or night crawlers fished under a bobber. 10 horsepower limit at this 107-acre lake.
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LAKE ERIE
**The daily bag limit for Lake Erie yellow perch dropped from 30 to 25 fish per angler effective July 1, 2008 in waters west of the Huron pier. The daily bag limit will remain at 30 fish per angler in Ohio waters from Huron eastward. Any boats landing west of Huron, Ohio will be subject to the 25 fish daily bag limit, while boats landing at Huron or points east will be subject to a 30 fish daily bag limit. Shore-based anglers west of the Huron pier will be subject to a 25 fish daily bag limit, while those on the pier and eastward will remain at 30 fish daily.**
**The walleye bag limit is 6 fish per day. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15”.**
**The black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) daily bag limit is 5 fish with a 14” minimum size limit.**
**The steelhead trout daily bag limit is 5. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches.**
Western Basin
Walleye fishing has remained slow over the past week. The best fishing was around Northwest Reef (NW of West Reef) and also five miles NE of Kelleys Island near the old “C” can on the Canadian border. Drifting with bottom bouncers and worm harnesses or casting mayfly rigs has been productive. Trollers have been catching fish on spoons with divers, or worm harnesses fished with inline weights, snap weights, bottom bouncers, or divers. The best spoon colors have been pinks and purples.
The best Yellow Perch fishing in the islands area has been between Rattlesnake Island and Green Island. Other areas that have produced perch include “B” and “C” cans of the Camp Perry firing range and NE of Kelleys Island. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.
Central Basin
Walleye fishing has been good E of the southern half of the sandbar NW of Lorain five to seven miles out. Fishing has slowed down in the Cleveland area this past week so there are no locations to report. Very good fishing has been reported 10 to 15 miles N of Geneva in 70 to 74-feet of water, and seven to 15 miles NE and NW of Ashtabula in 68 to 74-feet of water. Trollers are using worm harnesses, spoons or stickbaits off jet divers, dipsy divers, planer boards and downriggers. Worm harnesses and spoons continue to be the top baits. The best action has been about 25 to 50 feet down, and the best colors have been chartreuse, purple, orange, green, and black with copper or gold/red.
Yellow perch fishing is good offshore in the Cleveland area and also east to Conneaut. The best spots to fish are NW of Gordon Park in 53 to 55 feet of water, NW of Chagrin River in 45 to 50 feet of water, NW of Fairport Harbor in 38 to 50-feet of water, and N of Conneaut in 60 to 65-feet of water. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish. Don’t forget to try several turns up from the bottom as some fish may be suspended. Fish have ranged from eight to 13 inches.
White bass fishing has been very good off Eastlake CEI power plant in 15-30 feet of water. Anglers are using agitators with blue/silver spoons and jigs tipped with twister tails.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good in 16 to 26-feet of water around Cleveland, Fairport Harbor, Ashtabula and Conneaut harbors. Fish are being caught on watermelon, pumpkinseed and green tube jigs and drop-shot goby imitations.
Steelhead are being caught by anglers while walleye fishing seven to 15 miles offshore from Geneva and Ashtabula in 65 to 74 feet of water. Anglers are catching steelhead on blue or green with silver spoons while trolling using downriggers, dipsy divers, or jet divers off planer boards.
Based on the nearshore forecast the water temperature is 71 off of Toledo and 73 off of Cleveland.
Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.
To view the predicted weather forecast for Lake Erie visit: http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=/raw/fz/fzus61.kcle.glf.le.txt
To view Lake Erie boating information, safety tips, and launch ramps visit: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/default/tabid/2062/Default.aspx
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OHIO RIVER
Lawrence County – Water temperature is 80 degrees and falling. Anglers are having good luck with channel catfish using minnows and chicken livers. Baits are being fished on the bottom. Channel catfish up to 25-inches are being caught.
Belmont County – Both flathead catfish and channel catfish are being caught using chicken livers fished on the bottom. Rains in the upper Ohio River watershed may trigger catfish to feed even better. Water temperatures are in the low 80’s.
Gallia County – Try fishing for catfish in the evenings and through the night where the deeper holes start to get shallow using cut bait, livers or shrimp.
Clermont County - Channel catfish and flathead are being caught below the Meldahl Dam using shad and skipjack herring fished tight on the bottom. Fishing during the night seems to be the best time to fish for channel catfish and flathead catfish. Flathead catfish are generally caught using live bait such as shad and skipjack herring. Water temperatures are in the mid-80 degree range.
Last edited by OhioFisher on Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:38 pm; edited 14 times in total









