C. J. Brown Reservoir: The best fishing at this point has been off of the docks at the marina. Anglers are catching crappies, bluegills and perch, mostly on minnows or jigs tipped with waxworms. Bass and walleye fishing have been slow. Fish near the dam. Walleyes have been coming in evening hours and moving to deeper water during the day. Jerk baits and deep-diving crankbaits have worked best.
Rocky Fork Lake: Crappies are 6-10 feet deep, hitting minnows and black/chartreuse tubes. Fish around laydowns and other structure. Yellow perch have been hitting redworms and minnows, fished at the same depth, mostly around the south beach. For bass, use shad-color crankbaits or green-pumpkin worms and fish around stumps about six feet deep. Saugeyes are hitting chartreuse/red fleck twisters around the south beach and the island. For catfish, use cut bait and fish around the wharf.
Paint Creek Lake: Crappies have been hitting minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad in the patriot colors along bluff walls and channel banks. Some are having success using a drop shot with the hook about 18 inches off of the bottom. Bass are also off of bluff walls, 5-12 feet deep. Use crankbaits or green/pumpkin worms. White bass are hitting Triple-Ripples and white inline spinners on the flats. If fishing from a boat, be advised the ramp at the marina is the only one open.
Acton Lake: Fishing has slowed. They're still catching some crappies off of pier, but most are small. The best action has been in the evening or early morning. Use minnows close to the bottom. A few saugeyes have been caught by trolling or casting off of points. Bass minnows and brightly colored twisters have been good baits. A few bass have been caught along the banks near the lodge early in the day on crankbaits or spinnerbaits.
Grand Lake St. Marys: Anglers are catching crappies, but you'll probably have to work to find them. Look for brush and fish deep. Minnows are the best bait. You might have to keep moving toward the middle of channels. Bluegills are hitting waxworms around docks. A few perch have been caught by crappie fishermen.
Lake Loramie: Bluegills have been biting 2-3 feet deep around lily pads. Use tiny rubber spiders tipped with waxworms or spikes. Crappies are also at that depth, hitting minnows. While fishing for crappies you might catch a bass or a catfish. Saugeyes are being caught on the east side of the lake on bass minnows and Vib-Es.
Lake Erie: Walleyes have been caught around Kelleys Island and in 30 to 40 feet of water from Cedar Point to Huron. Night fishing has been good nearshore around Huron and around Cleveland harbor. Most walleye have been caught by trolling with crankbaits. For yellow perch, fish with shiners off of Marblehead or east of Kelleys. For Lake Erie information, call (888) HOOK-FISH or visit wildohio.gov.
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