Indian Lake: Saugeye fishing has slowed a bit, although plenty are still being caught. Anglers are jigging with nightcrawlers or VibE's. Some are trolling with crankbaits and Erie Dearies tipped with nightcrawlers. Some of the best spots are Long Island, Dream Bridge, Lakeview Harbor and around most bridges. Crappies are biting around docks, lily pads and rocks, mostly on minnows. Catfish are hitting nightcrawlers and minnows.
Grand Lake St. Marys: Crappies are spawning, so you will find them close to the banks around brush, rocks and docks. Use small jigs or minnows. Bluegills are getting ready to spawn, so they are in brush and around rocks and docks, but not quite as shallow as the crappies. Use an ice jig tipped with a waxworm for bluegills. Catfish are hitting cut shad and nightcrawlers along the east bank. For bass, work the channels with plastics or spinnerbaits. A few perch have been caught on minnows off of the west bank.
C.J. Brown Reservoir: Anglers have been trolling for walleyes with crawler harnesses and crankbaits. The dropoff in front of the beach and the deeper water near the dam have been the best spots. Crappies are spawning, so fish tight to the banks with minnows. You can limit out, but you'll have to go through plenty of undersize fish. The best time to catch catfish is at night with chicken liver and nightcrawlers. A few perch have been caught in the spillway.
Clark Lake: Crappie fishing is excellent. Work the shallow water around brush with minnows and jigs.
Acton Lake: Bass are close to the banks, starting to spawn. Use crankbaits, spinnerbaits or plastics. Crappies are spawning, so you can catch them close to the shore just about anywhere in the lake. Minnows or jigs are working. Bluegills are just off of the banks, hitting waxworms. Anglers are trolling with small crankbaits and brightly colored twisters to catch saugeyes. They are also catching saugeyes in the spillway on chubs and bass minnows.
Rush Run Lake: Crappies and bluegills are close to the banks, hitting minnows and waxworms, respectively. Catfish are biting on minnows, chicken liver and nightcrawlers.
Lake Loramie: Most anglers are catching plenty of crappies, but a large portion of them are under the 9-inch size limit. They are close to the shore in brush all over the lake. The Minster branch has been a good area. That's also where some nice bass have been caught on plastics, spinnerbaits and Flippin' Jigs. Catfish are hitting day and night off of the rocks on nightcrawlers and chicken liver. For bluegills, use ice blades tipped with waxworms.
Rocky Fork Lake: You'll find crappies in 3-6 feet of water all around the lake. Look for wood or brush and fish with minnows or black/chartreuse jigs. Work the points 3-6 feet deep to catch bass on spinnerbaits, black/grape worms. Saugeyes are being caught by trolling or casting in front of the south and north beaches. Try a 3-inch brightly colored twister. Bluegills are hitting waxworms in the coves, but the bite has been erratic.
Cowan Lake: Plenty of crappie action, although it appears spawning is over. Crappies have moved away from the banks and are now found along ledges and drop-offs. Use your fish finder and look for changes in the bottom structure. Those spots are likely to hold crappies. Bass appear to be spawning and are close to the banks. Bluegills will also be moving in. Use nightcrawlers or chubs to catch channel catfish.
Lake Erie: Walleye Use nightcrawlers or chubs to catch channel catfish. fishing was excellent at times over the past week. The best areas were west of South Bass Island, between Middle Bass Island and North Bass Island, north of North Bass Island, and north of Kelleys Island. Trollers have been catching fish on crankbaits and worm harnesses. Jigging has slowed down on the reefs and west of the reefs as the spawning season is ending. Yellow perch have been caught north of Kelleys Island and between South Bass and Middle Bass Islands.
About the Author