Don't worry about weather; good days will be here soon

Print Story

Email to Friend

Discuss this story

A little snow? No problem. April is here and the fish are out there.

Our weather's polar plunge is just a minor setback as the calendar heads toward the midsection of the spring season, and the walleyes, crappies and bass can take the weekend off after some pretty serious pounding last week.

Anglers flocked to the traditional spring hot spots when the mercury climbed and the sun shined last week. Crappie fishermen had pretty decent luck, though walleye and bass anglers did manage to shake off the winter dust with sporadic action.

Mosquito will continue to be the best place for all three species over the next several weeks, but Berlin, Milton and West Branch soon will catch up.

Those who enjoy tossing jigs for river-run walleyes have been focusing their attention on western Ohio's Maumee and Sandusky rivers.

At midweek, the rivers were running between 53 and 57 degrees at normal levels and good color.

The Maumee was producing better than the Sandusky, according to reports released by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife. Maumee anglers were catching limits of mostly male walleyes ranging from 15 to 22 inches long.

The catch rate was more sporadic on Sandusky River, but a few fish were showing up.

The recommended tactics include tossing bright-colored jigs and plastic grubs and bouncing them the deeper and faster-running holes.

Packed with trailers

Back at Mosquito, meanwhile, the parking lot at the state park marina was packed with trailers last Saturday as a number of Northeastern Ohio anglers took the opportunity to kick off their 2007 fishing.

Mosquito crappie anglers anchored around brush in 3 to 5 feet of water and caught nice fish. Crappies also are gathering around the fish attractors placed within casting distance of the Ohio 88 causeway's northeast and southwest walks.

The walleye action has been a little slower in developing, but a few fish were reported by wading anglers and those drifting boats off the cemetery and the south end's stump flats.

Largemouth bass had moved up into skinny water last weekend, with a number of anglers in a local tournament catching their five-bass limits. Fish averaged around 2 pounds each. Jigs and plastics flipped in the shallow brush were working, and a few good fish came on spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits.

Sunday was the season opening day for anglers who bought permits for Aqua Ohio's Pine, Evans and Hamilton lakes. The cold, steady rain put a damper on some anglers' plans, but those who did venture out for bass reported they caught some nice largemouths and crappies.

Those who have permission to fish private ponds also had good luck before the weather soured. Bass and panfish, along with a few catfish, were up and active in the warming waters.

Sure, today is not your typical can't-wait-to-hitch-up-the-boat Saturday, so all but the hardiest of souls will find another way to celebrate Easter weekend. We'll catch up on our chores because fine weather and excellent fishing is just around the corner.

jwwollitz@aol.com

Saturday, April 7, 2007