The Blade Fishing Report: 6-06
Best angling information from area experts
6/6/2014■ Maumee River: The walleye run is history and the white bass run is moving in that direction, although some anglers are still picking up stringers of fish working the holes and deeper runs, according to Maumee Tackle. Channel catfish and flatheads are being taken on traditional baits fished in deeper water with current. Fly fishing aficionado Quinn Logsdon reports that the river is serving up some big smallmouth bass, along with gar and other species for anglers tossing bunny fur pattern flies, baitfish flies, leech flies, and crawfish flies in olive or white. Fly fishermen are targeting shelves, grassy areas around islands, and the entrance and exit areas of rapids.
■ Sandusky River: As the strong white bass run tapers off, a few anglers are picking up fish holding in pockets of deeper water by drifting minnows fished under bobbers. Crappie fishermen are working the brushy shoreline areas between downtown Fremont and the bay, and producing fish with tiny jigs or minnows fished under slip bobbers. Catfish are coming in numbers for anglers fishing night crawlers, chicken livers or crayfish just off the bottom.
■ Sandusky Bay: The shallower, warmer waters of the marinas, harbors and bays are providing largemouth bass action for fishermen willing to cover a lot of areas to locate active fish, and working crankbaits and tubes. Anglers are reminded that the bass season is closed through June 27 so all largemouth and smallmouth must be released immediately.
■ Lake Erie: When the wind is in a cooperative mood, anglers have been finding walleyes off Magee Marsh, near the boundaries of the Camp Perry firing range, and in the Niagara Reef region. Trolling with worm harnesses, divers or bottom bouncers has also produced fish around Green Island, according to ODNR, and on the reefs and shoals around Kelleys Island. Coe Vanna Charters reports catching walleyes drift fishing around A-can and Niagara Reef, and in the chute between Mouse Island and South Bass Island. Casting/drifting with mayfly rigs, bottom bouncers, worm harnesses and traditional weight-forward spinners have all been productive at times. The smallmouth bass fishing remains strong around the islands and some of the shallower reef areas for anglers using tube jigs, crankbaits and jerkbaits.
■ Inland waters: Record-setting bowfisherman Patrick Johnson put the arrows aside for a day and engaged the large bluegills and redear sunfish in Lake La Su An in Williams County, which is managed under special regulations. A couple of Fish Ohio award size redears were part of the catch for Johnson, who used redworms fished under a pencil float, and also small jigs, fished on two-pound test line.
■ Michigan inland lakes/Irish Hills: Angler Brian Miller reports finding concentrations of crappies on the beds in shallow water, with more suspended in deeper water nearby. Miller said a technique called pop-jigging was producing fish. He uses a tiny jig and one-inch tail, continually popping the lure up and then letting it fall. He said the fish seemed to hit better in sections where the sun was shining on the water, and in areas where there was a mixture of some grass and brush in the water.
■ Detroit River: The DNR reports that as spawning run walleyes move out of the river, the potential exists for large catches of white bass. These fish are in an aggressive posture and will strike spinners, twister tails, and even bass baits. White bass provide exceptional fight and action on lightweight gear, but remain an underutilized resource on the river.
■ Michigan Free Fishing: The free fishing days are Saturday and Sunday, with residents and non-residents permitted to fish this weekend without a license. All other fishing regulations apply and will be enforced.