Fish Reports

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Report Date: Sept. 8, 2010
West Branch Reservoir (Portage County) – This 2,616-acre lake offers great muskellunge fishing with decent bass and channel catfishing. Access this lake from State Route 5, turning south on Rock Spring Road. Parking is available near the bridge (just past the railroad tracks) as well as boat ramp access. As of December 22, 2008 a total of 221 muskies were caught in this lake with 31 fish exceeding 42-inches. Fishing from the riprap produces well for bass while fishing near the muddy flats at dusk, and dawn is good for catfish. Fishing the humps in the middle of the lake produces larger muskies this time of year. Bass are biting on shad-imitating baits such as spinner baits and crankbaits. Catfish will go for hot dog chunks, stink baits, power baits, chicken liver, or shrimp. Anglers should try casting bulldogs, spinners, or larger stick baits for muskies.

Lake Erie tributary streams (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Lake, & Lorain counties) – Anglers should start rain dancing. With the cooling fall temperatures and shortening days, the steelhead from Lake Erie should be making their annual trips into Lake Erie’s tributary streams. But, the one thing they need is increased flow in the streams due to runoff. The stream levels are low as we speak, but look for river levels to rise over the upcoming weeks. Until then, focus on break walls and piers along Lake Erie that border mouths of tributary streams. Popular baits this time of year include casting spoons, jig and maggots, and other live bait.

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Report Date: Sept. 1, 2010
Tappan Lake (Harrison County) – This 2,131-acre lake is known for its excellent fishery. A wide variety of fish species can be caught including crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, white bass, and saugeye. Fall fishing in this lake should not be ignored. The scenery is beautiful as the leaves morph into rich autumn colors. For more information on tips and tactics for fishing any of the mentioned species go to www.wildohio.com Wheelchair accessible shoreline fishing facilities are available.

Atwood Lake (Carroll and Tuscarawas counties) – This 1,551-acre lake located on State Route 212, two miles south of New Cumberland offers great fishing. Species often caught by anglers include saugeye, largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, and especially channel catfish. Saugeye, a hybrid cross between a female walleye and a male sauger, have provided anglers with wonderful fishing opportunities for many years now. The Division of Wildlife originally stocked saugeye in 1985 and, with the exception of one year, continued an aggressive stocking program. Over 234,000 fingerling saugeye were stocked in 2008. The catch size for 2010 should be dominated by fish ranging seven to 26-inches in length, most of which are expected to exceed 14-inches. One of the best ways to catch saugeye is to use a small jig (1/32 or 1/8) and tip it with a piece of night crawler. Simply cast, let the bait sink, and slowly retrieve. The strike will be gentle so watch for a twitch in the line.