Maumee River

[roger23]

The is just about all gone and river is running a little high . The fishing has started.;) http://www.maumeetackle.net this site usually gives good river reports.he has not up dated lately .but I am sure he will

[hiddenlake]

You got that right Roger, started buying my floating jig heads today. Did really well on them last year. Any of the members wanna come down for some good walleye action next month just let me know and i will put you on them. The great river is in my back yard. Will be out at ginos and fairhaven this weekend, hope to finally get some perch, were new to this lake and the fish are coming slow to us but we try hard. Good luck to all and talk to ya on 7.

[Lunker]

The action has started, expect lots of new Mi walleye fishers since theres is outlawed until the spawn is over. Im sure it will be a crazy spring on the Maumee.

[ImaRedneck]

Ah yes the Maumee River. Combat fishing at its best.
I never miss a chance to go cross the island to get some hawgs. My friend used floaters last year and he swears by them . Me I still prefer a 1/4 oz leadhead tipped with a pearl twister tail.
Redneck

[rizutto61]

Last year a maumee veteran showed me the ropes and I can hardly wait. We usually go down for 3 days during the week so we aren't elbows to you know what. Pretty easy to limit out down there and a blast even catching and releasing after you have your limit. Can hardly wait. Do you guys know if they lowered the limit one fish or if it's the same. Anyone who hasn't tried it should it's a blast, just watch crossing to the island it can get hairy. Just make sure one foot is on the ground when moving the other.

[roger23]

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/fishing/fishregs/default.htm try this State site they lowered the limit buy one fish to three and of coarse raised the cost of the license. also put a15" size limit on them never saw one that small in the spring Good luck;)

[hiddenlake]

The island is a beautiful thing my friends, it is getting very close now and it's a shame they lowered the limit but it will still be alot of fun everyday. Let's use our radios for our friends up north. Find the maumee bait store and he'll help you out with everything you need. Talk to you all tomorrow on the pond.

[Dead Bird]

I be there wed and fri... i have business in ohio and plan on fishing on the way down and again on the way home... I will let you know how I do...

[slowpoke]

Hiddenlake; I'll be down just as soon as the walleyes start to show up. I just might take you up on the offer to show me some walleyes. I went to the island for the first time last year and had fun. Didn't get any hawgs but some nice eaters.

[roger23]

I stoped by Maumee bait & Tackle this morning they said there web site should be up dated next week .computer problems http://www.maumeetackle.net Did not see anyone with any fish the pike fishermen are out with no luck .

[LazyEye]

I live near the Maumee river walleye hot spots, about 10 minutes away. Its been my expierience that in the past the bite really heats up the third week in March to the 2nd week in April. After that the white bass come in large ones they are fun to catch but I do not eat them. If any one has a 12 to 14 foot deep v aluminum boat that would like to come dwn and fish the river---I have a 9.9 mercury runs well that we could slap on the back of your boat and go. I sold my boat and wading isnt exactly my style any more unless I absoulutely have to. Shoot me an email at goodguy1440@yahoo.com or just post a reply on here.

[Lunker]

Dont forget to get your new liscence on Monday. Ohio's expires tommorow.

[HuRon]

Got a question or two for you Maumee River guys . Saw some comments on leadheads vs floating jigs . How do you rig your floaters for casting ? Does it help to prevent snagging or just to keep your bait off bottom or both ?

[mal]

use an egg sinker on your main line, usually 1/2-3/4 oz. depending on depth and current. at the end of your main line tie a two-way swivel. the swivel acts as a stop for the egg sinker. to the other end of the swivel you tie your floating jig on a leader ususally about 18" or so in length. the egg sinker bounces bottom and the floating jig head drifts through the strike zone. i use 10lb. main line and 6lb. leader line so if i get snagged i can ususally just break off the leader and retie. i started using this rig about three years ago rather than lead heads. the biggest difference is that most of the fish on a floating rig are fair hooked. best color combo last year was pink head and chartreuse tail or vice versa. my best day last year i limited out 4 fish in 21 minutes of fishing. took longer to walk from the truck to the river than it did to catch the fish. it can get really hot about april 10. good luck

[salmonslammer]

Welcome to the site LazyEye!!! Lots of good info here!

I gotta try that this year....I hear that the river is a b***** to wade... I would gladly furnish bait and food if one of the local guys would give me a clue as to where to go I would prefer to fish midweek if you can swing it. I usully work on most weekends.

Can you fish out of a canoe with pontoons on it or is that just a death wish?? I was probably the only idiot that ever ran whitewater in aluminum canoe down south...."Y'all anit from around here, is ya?"

[HuRon]

Thanks mal , now I understand .

[Lunker]

Depends on how cold my fingers are. Floaters work maybe 20 percent better but are a pain to tie on with a swivel if you cant feel your fingers and cost more. (I will once I start finding them by the bucketfulls on the shore)So I rarely use them. I tie a 1/4 ounce or less sometimes jighead on and a throw on some splitshots.

[hiddenlake]

slow poke, all you have to do is post when your ready and I'll show you some hot spots for the mighty maumee, salmonslammer, I usually fish everyday on the maumee when the fish start running, get there around 11:00 am and leave around 3:00 to go to work, most of the time I get to lleave before 3:00 with a limit. Get yourself a medium action pole with a spinning reel with 10lb test. I use the floating jigs, they seem to generate more legal fish, all I do is tie one on and either use a 1/4 ounce or 3/8 ounce split shot above the jig about 12''. It's much easier than the swivels especially when your hands are cold. There is most likely at least 2 weeks before the action heats up. Also where i go it's a very short walk, need good waders!! Looking forward to meeting you guys!

[hiddenlake]

Just got back to toledo from LSC, had our best trip there yet.Saturday we caught 10 big ole hogs, biggest perch I ever seen. Today we caught only 9 jumbos, fished between the 2 packs from Geno's to I think it's selfridge. You guys watch out cause we found 2'' of ice between the 2 packs out there today. Not real famiar with the area. Went out at geno's and went NE a mile and it was THIN in a small area out there. The fish were huge though!!

[Dead Bird]

hiddenlake,

I am new to this type fishing but last year I used a barrel swivel with a leader about 18 in and a floting jig.... above the barrel swivel I had another snap swivel with a pencil type weight... I would pinch off the weight till I would get a good drift... the swivel with the lead would let the fish pick up the jig without any pressure.... this was my theory good bad right or different... was I making it more complicated than I needed... any suggestion on where to try this friday.... it is my first trip down this year... I know I might be early but I am really looking forward to some walleye fishing..

[LazyEye]

Mal uses the same system I do it is the easiest as for using floating jig heads, your fingers can get mighty cold and it can be hard to tie this system together. I drove over the Maumee today and it looked high and muddy, I did not see anyone fishing a few cars were parked along the river probably checking it out------If you want fast action now is not the time to go. As weather and water warms it will pick up.

[salmonslammer]

SWEEET!! I'm already rigged up.....Let me know when it's worth the trip!

[hiddenlake]

WILL DO!!!!

[hiddenlake]

Dead bird, never tried it but would like too. Maybe get together and show the guys from the sight the ''mighty maumee''.

[Dead Bird]

friday I will be driving from Andover back to MI... I am guessing that I should be at the river around 11... if you want to meet let me know... it is much more fun to stand in freezing water when you have someone to talk to.....

[johnny white]

thanks for the advice hiddenlake - i will be a first-timer this year

[fishindude644]

the only fish ive seen come out of the river are snagged. let the fish spawn out . just trying to be conservative. 75% of the fish caught are foul hooked and its not doing the fish any good with a gash in their side either. i think they should shut the river down for a period of time during the spawn so some of those fish can spawn out. i love catching walleyes when they bite not when you bite them.

[hiddenlake]

Last year with the floating jigs I legally caught 90% of the fish, if you do foul hook one release it cause the ''OTHER EYES'' are watching, wont see me in the river for at least 2 weeks. Also only 10% of the walleye run the rivers, the other 90% spawn in the lake my friends.

[hiddenlake]

Dead bird, it's way too early, the pike may be in now but never had any luck for them.

[johnny white]

question - what type of waders do you need to fish a cold river? - i looked at cabelas but they have a really large selection so it was confusing to me - thanks guys

[hiddenlake]

Johnny White, bought a pair of 'hodgemans' last year and i like them very well, they fit tight just in case you go under and they wont fill with water. i KNOW THEY JUST GOT A BUNCH OF THEM AT THE MAUMME BAIT SHOP. Visit their web site or let me know when you'll be in town for directions there, I do know they will be cheaper than cabelas. Take care.

[mal]

using the floating rig i very rarely reel in a foul hooked fish. i've had jigs so far down the fish's throat that i needed to cut the line in order to keep fishing. now how did that happen if the fish didn't bite it? the statement that these fish are not biting is one that the lake fishermen like to make in an attempt to ban the river fishing, and is simply BS. i agree that many of the big females taken are not legal, but for me i'll take the 17-18 inch jacks any day, and they do bite quite well. fact is, as previously stated, only a fraction of the spawning walleye from the western basin even make the trip up the river. most spawn on the mud flats and reefs of the lake's shoreline.

[Lunker]

They bite very well. Once you find the color they want. Last years best was creamy pink. I start with a clearish chartreuse ever time if they arent biting that go to pink , white , then start the darks, purple, black. I also think the paddle tails work better, they can really feel that vibration.

[hiddenlake]

Good to have some river fishing people here. Last year in the river was the best year I ever had for the 'biting' walleye. The floating jig head is the best thing going I think. Will let you guys know when it happens. Took home 50 fish and they all bit. See ya soon.

[LazyEye]

Thanx for the welcome Salmon Slayer -----Just put my jig box together now all I will have to do is resting some line and then I am ready-----Its still gonna be a couple of weeks before they start really coming in. The water temp needs to come up----The water clarity needs to improve----And the level needs to come dwn some.----------------Tight Lines and Good Fishing!!!

[hiddenlake]

Guess the hard water fishing is over, as I drove by the mighty maumee today I noticed it looked like it might be alittle early this year. Hell last year to this very day we were catching big walleye on lake erie (ice fishing) My friends up north get ready. With all this rain and the river opened up it wont be long. Saw 2 guys with cabin fever standing in the river today, they dont know about the great times on LSC. Am looking forward to showing you guys the fun in the maumee river, after all I feel I owe you guys for all the info you gave us on the pond up north. Get ready it's almost here, will post when it is time. Take care!

[Lunker]

Is Fairhaven still frozen ? I might go at day break.

[LazyEye]

3/4/04------Went to side cut Metro park, Fortmeigs,and to Orleans park today to ck out conditions on the Maumee. The water is still high but receading the water clarity is about 2 inches. Seen 1 guy fishing at Fortmeigs said he caught 2 sucker fish yesterday nothing today. It was a beautiful morning and not a soul around almost made me wish I had brought my rod and reel to throw a few. If we do not get alot of rain here the walleye run should be in full swing in a couple of weeks. Even if we get rain they still will come up but it just wreaks havoc on the water clarity. Ill post as often as I can, and don't forget, I guide for rides on the Maumee, especially if you are new to fishing the river and have a 12 to 14 foot deep v and would like to give it a shot. Email me at goodguy1440@yahoo .com I know the river well and can get you on some hogs.

[griz]

another great way is using slinky weights instead of the egg or lindy sinkers. found that i lose alot less rigs this way.also it helps to run a 10 lb iron silk or fireline mainline and go to 6 lb mono after the barrel swivel, its a lot easier to tie a new jig on than the whole rig. chart. and pink were hot last year but i had alot of luck off of white double tail grubs with a chart. jig.also catch more fair hooks with the salted grubs for some reason.

[Dead Bird]

fished last night (4 to 5) but notta... water is extermely muddy... don't think this rain is going to help.... but the good news is that I was able to wet a line... it felt strange being the only guy on the river... that probably should have been a clue but I wanted to fish...

[CMFish51]

Went down to take a look at the river around the Jerome road and rapids area. Water is extremely high, flooding a little bit into the trees in the rapids area. Took a drive down river to the island and riverview park. Water is extremely muddy and moving fast. A lot of lumber floating down the river also...Couple more weeks, we will be divin in...Did see two guys with poles in hand about to fish just up-river of the island across from the cemetary....Good luck to them...

Corey

[roger23]

Forget The MAUMEE for a Week or Two it is real high and muddy unless you want to fish in the weeds;)

[Dead Bird]

going to try Simcoe this coming up week than back to the river... hoping the water drops and clears up a little... I really have walleye fever bad... last year was fun and I'm really looking forward to finding a couple of fish this year...

[hiddenlake]

Hang tight Dead Bird and we'll find you more than a couple fish.The river is right on schedule! I think if the river starts to receed could be next weekend!

[griz]

guys i have the fever so bad i went and bought two more rods today. that 2 week stretch between ice and open water is torture, except for a litle steelhead action here and there. for you maumee guys try using 71/2 ft to 9 ft medium/light action rods, you will notice a huge difference in detecting the more subtle bites. i am recently a conformed walleye junkie from a steelhead junkie so i started with the equipment i had and i noticed a lot of the days the last few years i was hooking more fish than others using the longer rods when the fish were biting light.try it out.

[hiddenlake]

Griz, if you haven't tried the ice fishing on lake st. claire you should try it next year, we were catching jumbos just last week, hasn't been 2 weeks yet for us. Good luck in the river!!

[griz]

hiddenlake i spent at least two days a week down at the harley ramp on south river road. i fish there almost exclusively and yes i was out there too last week and got 90 between 3 guys and all at least 8 inches and the biggest at 11, not all huge but put a good stink in the pan. i get alittle nervous seeing how i was air lifted off port clinton a few years ago when the supposed earth quake hit toledo. scared the living poop out of me going up a cable 70 ft and having a marine pull me in. last time i was on st clair last week i saw at least 7 guys go through and helped an elderly man that went through and injured his leg where some guy spudded a 3x3 hole and didn't mark it. so to me i have 2 weeks till open water or the maumee comes down. my health isn't worth some fish.good luck to you this season and maybe i will bump into you in ohio, fish on but be safe

[hiddenlake]

griz, thats the first i heard of anyone going in up there, glad were done for the year as we were rookies up there. hope everyone is ok. Wont be long now I feel them coming in the river now. Do you use the floating jigs? Had real good luck with them last year, I was very surprised at how well they bit. I fish near buttonwood both sides of the river. Read alot about the steelhead bite and would love to try it, I think it was the vermillion river near huron, ohio. Hope to see ya at the river REAL soon. Let us know if you've gotten any walleye in the maumee and I'll do the same.

[griz]

hiddenlake i use the floating rigs during the higher water levels with a lindy rig set up. i also use 1/4 ounce lead heads when the water is at lower levels. i do like using longer rods 71/2 fters and my steelhead rods i find i detect the more subtle bites. i fish down in maumee just about every sunday from now until may, email me if you would like to hook up for a fish sometime. i can also get you on some fantastic fly rod fishing for kings in the fall up here in michigan.might be down on next sunday.

[roger23]

Few walleye being taken; heavy runs still weeks away


The first walleye of the spring runs have been taken in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers in recent days, but it likely will be another two weeks before the popular spawning runs get under way in earnest.

Gary Lowry of Maumee Valley Bait and Tackle said that "just a handful" of walleyes were taken over the weekend at the usual high-water sites on the Maumee, with male and female fish both present. Lowry’s wife Jan was weighing a seven-to-eight-pound fish outside their shop as Lowry spoke.

He said the water is high and dirty with early spring runoff, and darker colors were working on lure presentations.

The preferred bait these days is a Carolina-rigged floating jighead and plastic twisting tail, the shopkeeper said. Such a presentation keeps the jig and tail just up in the strike-zone. A barrel or bullet-sinker in the rig is just heavy enough to "tick" the bottom occasionally.

Rich Cherry, ranger at Side Cut Metropark, said the water temperature Sunday was 44 degrees - ideal for the runs - and the river level was 585 feet above sea level, as measured on the gauge on the I-475 bridge. Wading to Blue Grass Island, a popular fishing zone at the metropark, is banned as unsafe until the waters recede to 582 feet or lower. The area is posted with advisory warnings. The metropark maintains a fish-action hotline, 419-893-9740.

Lowry said the leading high-water fishing zones on the Maumee in the popular rapids area above Maumee and Perrysburg include Orleans Park and Fort Meigs on the Perrysburg side, and the foot of White Street and the Towpath on the Maumee side.

On the Sandusky River at downtown Fremont, another popular spring fishing site, a few fish already have come upriver, but the flow remains high and muddy, said Bernie Whitt at Anglers’ Supply there.

In any case, you can be sure that growing numbers of anglers will run to the rivers before the bulk of the fish arrive. The Ohio Division of Wildlife is expecting conditions on both rivers to improve by the weekend. But don’t look for peak action until the last week of March or the first two weeks of April, depending on water levels and temperatures, both of which are weather-related.

The Ohio Division of Watercraft has issued its annual common-sense warnings about boat-fishing in cold weather on cold waters. John Wisse, a watercraft spokesman, makes the following suggestions:

• Always wear a life jacket.

• Dress in layers, wearing synthetic, moisture-wicking clothing.

• Avoid overloading your craft, or unbalancing the load.

• Take a boating-safety course.

State watercraft officers will be manning popular ramp sites on the rivers during the spring runs to conduct free safety inspections and offer advice.

Elsewhere on the river front, Lowry noted that crappie action has been excellent above the Grand Rapids Dam and in streamside eddies, using shiners below a float. White and black crappies are being taken. He checked one group of six anglers that had taken 96 fish.

Northern pike were hitting before recent high, muddy waters, and can be expected to resume action as water levels recede and clear. Lowry suggested using pike-suckers or golden shiners for bait under large bobbers around the dam.

Western Lake Erie has been wind-whipped and roiled in recent days, but a few boatloads of anglers were about to slip out last Wednesday and Thursday and catch limits of walleye [three fish] with the usual ice-out/early-spring method - jig and minnow.

Vince Lamberjack, at Lamberjack’s Marina near the Davis-Besse Power Station on State Rt. 2 in Ottawa County, said that early-season anglers were fishing the in-shore reefs four to six miles off his ramp, which is open for small-boat launching.

Fishermen who encounter gill net buoys on reefs should take pains to avoid the areas. These are not poachers’ nets, but rather test-nets set by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Commercial gill nets have been banned in Ohio lakewaters for 20 years.

Jeff Tyson, supervisor of the division’s Lake Erie Fisheries Research Station at Sandusky, said that the division this spring is beginning a multi-year project in cooperation with researchers at Ohio State University. The aim is to sample adult spawning walleye to assess their eggs and hatching characteristics.

DATEBOOK
Tomorrow - Ohio Wildlife Council, 7 p.m., Ohio Wildlife District 1 headquarters, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus, statewide hearing on hunting and trapping proposals, call 1-800-WILDLIFE

[hiddenlake]

May go down to the maumee around noon tomorrow, got to work at 4:00, will be enough time in the cold water. I'm sure once the water clears alittle you should start catching some males. Will let you all know how I do if I go. Soon my friends!!

[Dead Bird]

hiddenlake,

myself and quack whacker are coming down on fri.... if you would like some company on friday let me know... allways fun to meet guys from the site... we probally wouldn't get down till around noon... going to try to fish the warm part of the day...

[hiddenlake]

Dead Bird, decided not to go today and get my chores done, talk to my bud Huss and we'll be there friday to meet you and q.w. I think you said you were familiar with the area so we'll meet you by the 475 bridge overpass around noon. Then we'll go across the river and hopefully get down to the hot spots. If your not sure where the bridge is bring your 2-way and give me a shout when your close. Channel 7. The bridge is southwest of the park there about 1/4 mile, I'll be in a dark blue GMC sonoma. Let me know. I think it's alittle early but if the females are in already we might get lucky. See ya friday.

[Dead Bird]

sounds great... I will be in a green suburban... see you there.... it sounds like it might be a little cool but I am looking forward to wetting a line and a little fishing....

[Lunker]

Quote- ""Fishermen who encounter gill net buoys on reefs should take pains to avoid the areas. These are not poachers’ nets, but rather test-nets set by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Commercial gill nets have been banned in Ohio lakewaters for 20 years.""



What can they possilby be testing with gill nets on top of the reefs, how many walleye they can kill??? I dont get it?!?!?!

[hiddenlake]

River has gone down quite a bit, still alittle muddy. Probably do better with the dark color twister tails. Yes it will be chilly friday. My favorite place to go isn't gonna open their gates till sunday but will beable to show you guys where it is along with where not to go. Hopefully we'll get a couple but it's gonna be tough fishing. See you friday!!

[roger23]

http://www.maumeetackle.net/ they have there site back for river up dates

[LazyEye]

Had a buddy go out yesterday, he caught his limit on prerun males, however the forecast for today is rain and snow. So who knows what effect that will have? :eek: But thats ok Im patient and fishing for a trophy anyways. I have caught several 10 and 11 pounders in past years. I am searching for a 12 plus.

[hiddenlake]

Good luck Lazy eye, caught one last year while ice fishing out of camp perry, it was amazing.

[hiddenlake]

So far we've had little rain, there's another round gonna come thru later, dose'nt look that bad. Tomorrow they say winds up to 35 knots. Took the day off and will try our best.

[Dead Bird]

I have to work till noon so we will be getting a late start... I still would like to meet up with you guys even if it just to say hi... I sent you a PM with my cell number and pager....

[hiddenlake]

Dead Bird, we'll be down there across from where we were gonna meet, if you got a two-way just give me a shout when you get there and I'll tell you where to go, gonna be cold, wish I could put my carhartts on under the waders. Best bet will probably be the weekend when it warms alittle. Went to the river today and saw about 15 people fishing total saw 2 fish but was told that 2 guys had their limits. hopefully hear from you guys tomorrow, if not I'll let you know how we do.

[CMFish51]

Fished 3-11-04 near the rapids. Put three in the net but only one on the stringer. The legal fish was 19 1/4 inches long. All caught on floater-carolina rigs, color: chartruse metal fleck. All fish were jacks. Caught a beauty 6 pounder, prolly bout 24-25 inches, but just outside the mouth...Gotta luv it, O-well will catch it another day. About 10-15 guys throughout the morning while I was there and seen about 4 fish leave the area. Good luck, will be there Sat and Sun mornin, same area @ sunrise, hope to see yas there!

Corey

[Dead Bird]

it was cold.... ice in the first three eye-lets.... but you be the man hiddenlake.... it is only a matter of time... fun anyway.... the fish you guys caught was sweet... 5 lbs plus.... hopefully it gets a little warmer in the next few days....

[hiddenlake]

Thanks DeadBird, it was great meeting you guys. Yes it was very cold, I think it will be at least a week for the main run if we get more rain. Should be down there today but I'm still cold. Guess it's suppose to rain tomorrow so will go back down again monday. Hope to see you guys again, you know where we'll be. Maybe get some other members down here. Wont be on the river till 4:30 next week, got to work the day shift for a week. Take care and see ya on the river.....

[hiddenlake]

Went to the river yesterday for about 3 hours and no fish for us, much better weather wise but not fish wise, may go down for a few hours after the rain goes through today. Did see many more fish on other stringers though. Will post how we do.

[CMFish51]

Fished same area as Saturday just below the rapids off of Jerome road. Caught 7 total. But let me better rephrase that. Caught 2 walleye and 5 shad type sucker type things( ? )...Those shad things were on the feedbag today. Seen a lot of guys catching em in the area. Some guys left with one walleye, most left with empty stringers. Had a boat try to set up 40 yards right out in front of us around 8:30. We could cast right in the boat if we wanted too. They stayed not even 2 minutes and decided to leave. They then tried to get the anchor out and had some problems, all while the guy was flooring the motor and just tearin up our hole that we were trying to fish. Needless to say it was pretty slow after that. So thanks fellas....Thats river fishing, can't wait till next weekend, will be out on Erie hopefully away from some of this madness. Good luck guys it will only get better here on out!

[hiddenlake]

We got skunked again today, didn't even snag a shad. Dead Bird we got kicked out of our spot today, the guy said he wasn't open yet and wait till they open. Will try again tuesday after 4:00, good luck to all.

[hiddenlake]

Dead bird, the spot we showed you is open now and they raised the price to park to $4.00, it should be worth it very soon. Went there for an hour today and didn't get anything but seen fish on stringers. We need some good rain to bring em up. Going tomorrow early, hopefully see some of you down there.

[LoonyFisher]

We dont have anyone posting about the maumee river walleye run this year. Why not? I have yet to get down there myself but intend on giving it a shot this weekend. I cant wait. Walleye Fever has got me.