Warm weather and the appearance of migrating walleye in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers has triggered early fishing opportunities, according to the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources Division of Wildlife.
Anglers are reminded the daily bag limit is four walleye through April 30, in addition to a 15-inch length limit for walleye on Lake Erie and its tributaries to the first dam or designated landmark.
Special regulations are in effect for the rivers during March and April. Fishing is allowed between sunrise and sunset in specified areas, and treble hooks are prohibited. Anglers may only use a single hook no larger than 1 inch from shank to point.
Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be legally taken, and any snagged fish must be immediately released.
Anglers should refer to ODNR's regulations pamphlet or contact the Division of Wildlife for additional information.
The annual phenomenon in northwest Ohio occurs each spring when a portion of Lake Erie's walleye population makes its way up the Maumee and Sandusky rivers to spawn in northwest Ohio.
Although the fish caught represent a small portion of Lake Erie walleye, the run brings hundreds of thousands of fish within casting distance of shore.
Sandusky River anglers will find fish from Brady's Island to Fremont's Rodger Young Park. Fishing is prohibited upstream from Rodger Young Park to the Ballville Dam.
The best fishing areas in the Maumee River are from Orleans Park in Perrysburg upstream to the end of Jerome Road in Lucas County.
