**As of March 1, 2004 the bag limit for walleye on Ohio waters of Lake Erie
and its tributaries is 3 fish. On May 1 the bag limit will return to 6
walleye. A new 15" minimum size limit is in place for the entire season.
Single hook restrictions have also been extended to the mouth of Maumee Bay
and Sandusky Bay. See the 2004 Ohio fishing regulations brochure for a
complete listing of all fishing regulations. 2004 licenses are required as
of March 1.**
Ice fishing has ended on most of Lake Erie. With temperatures above
freezing in the forecast the Lake could be accessible by boat within a week
or two. Spring walleye fishing generally consists of two tactics; jigging
shallow reef areas or trolling open water near reef areas. Try jigging a
lead-head jig tipped with a minnow on the reef complex north of Camp Perry.
Trollers usually pull crankbaits in the upper half of the water column over
flats north or east of the reef complex to catch early season trophies over
ten pounds.
As ice clears out of the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers the annual spring
walleye run will heat up. Expect limits of fish with occasional trophies to
be caught in Fremont on the Sandusky River and the Maumee/Perrysburg area of
the Maumee River during March and April. Peak fishing tends to occur
towards the end of March and the beginning of April, but fish will be caught
throughout the entire two month period.
Steelhead:
Most Lake Erie tributaries are ice free as of Wednesday (3/3), although they
are running high and muddy. Conditions should improve throughout the week
if the weather co-operates. Look for deeper pools to hold newly arriving
steelhead. Spawn sacs, jigs tipped with maggots, and flies are popular deep
pool presentations. In shallower areas with gravel substrate and high
current sucker spawn or brightly colored streamers work best. Use caution
in high current cold water situations.
Source: ODNR
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