Michigan fishing action heats up

4/24/2009

One of the most anticipated angling events of the year in neighboring Michigan - trout season- opens tomorrow on many streams and inland lakes statewide.

Also, walleye, pike, and muskellunge seasons open on inland waters of the lower peninsula, and anglers may begin catch-and-release of bass in the lower as well.

For other details, visit online at michigan.gov/dnrfishing.

Here in northwest Ohio, receding water levels should improve walleye fishing action on the Maumee and Sandusky rivers, though both remain turbid from recent rain.

The usual high-water sites are favored on the Maumee, though as the weekend rolls on sites upstream of the Maumee-

Perrysburg bridge should gain attention. Plenty of walleye remain, though white bass have not yet

appeared in numbers.

One angler to take advantage of the large female fish in the river right now was 11-year-old Jesse Taylor, a fifth grader at Union School in Maumee.

Fishing with his uncle, Marvin Taylor, from a boat just below the Maumee-Perrysburg bridge last Saturday afternoon, he caught a 27-inch walleye that went to 16 pounds-plus on a meat-scale at home.

A photo of the young angler with the fish showed it to be as fat as a football. The fish was not officially weighed, however.

Jesse is the son of Arthur Taylor of Maumee and Gwen Brinkley of Madison, Ga. It took him about 25 minutes to land the monster 'eye.

White bass have moved into the Sandusky at Fremont, but action has been hampered by the high, muddy water. Fair to good numbers of walleye also remain in the stream.

Anglers in the special-restrictions zones of both rivers and the upper bays are reminded that the seasonal rules stay in place through Thursday. Next Friday the walleye daily creel limit increases from four to six on the rivers, bays, and Lake Erie as well. A 15-inch minimum keeper length remains.

On western Lake Erie, the jig-and-minnow bite has resumed but slowly, mainly because of wind-muddied water that still is settling out. As the water clears, expect action to increase dramatically in what so far has been a delayed, cold, wet spring season.

Boats yesterday were taking some fish, but they were scattered all over Maumee Bay, and ones further east off the inshore reefs near Davis-Besse were working hard for fish, said Rick Ferguson at Al Szuch Live Bait in Jerusalem Township.

The Cabela's Master Walleye Circuit kicks off its east division season tomorrow and Sunday on the Detroit River at Trenton, Mich., based at Elizabeth Park there.

Weigh-ins are set for 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the park. At least 63 teams are expected to compete for more than $40,000 in the top 12 paces. For other details call toll-free 877-893-7947 or visit online at masterswalleyecircuit.com.

In other tournament news, pro Pat Byle of Colgate, Wis., won the Wal-Mart/FLW Walleye Tour opener last weekend on Lake Erie at Port Clinton.

Byle amassed a three-day total of 92 pounds, 9 ounces for 15 fish to take home $82,000. He searched for clean water and trolled primarily pink and purple crankbaits at 1.1 to 1.4 mph, he said.

Ted Takasaki of east Gull Lake, Minn., finished second with 91 pounds, 4 ounces for 15 fish and $16,533 in winnings. Rick Franklin of Bemidji, Minn., turned in 15 fish at 88 pounds, 12 ounces to earn $16,946, with bonuses, for third.

Kenny Henexson of Thornton, Colo., won the co-angler side with a three-day catch of 14 fish weighing 94 pounds, three ounces to win $8,267. Co-anglers were paired with different pros each day and took their daily totals with them. The event was shortened by a day because of heavy weather. Details are available online at FLWOutdoors.com.

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Jann's Netcraft is holding its annual bass and walleye fishing seminar tomorrow at the shop, 3350 Briarfield Blvd, Maumee, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pros on the FLW walleye and bass tours will be on hand, and sessions are set for lure-making and product demonstrations. Walleye pro John Gillman, who finished seventh in last weekend's FLW Walleye Tour opener on Lake Erie, is scheduled at 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Bass pros Brian Hensley and Steve Clapper are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively.

Jann's recently was featured in North American Fisherman magazine, receiving a 9.3/10 rating for its skirt-making kit, which was field-tested by members of the North American Fishing Club. Details appear in the March issue of the magazine.

Contact Steve Pollick at:

spollick@theblade.com

or 419-724-6068.