Indian Lake: Good fishing for most species has been reported. Bluegills are still on the beds and hitting waxworms and redworms. Crappies have been found in brush and around lily pads. The south bank continues to be a good spot for saugeyes, both for boaters and bank fishermen. For trolling, anglers are using Husky Jerks, Rat-L-Traps and Shad-Raps. Bank fishermen are using nightcrawlers or large minnows fished under a bobber. Catfish up to 15 pounds have been caught on Powerbaits, nightcrawlers, chicken liver or leeches.
Caesar Creek Lake: Anglers are working the flats to catch saugeyes. Try tightlining or jigging or drifting with nightcrawlers or large minnows. For trolling, pull a Hot-N-Tot or Shad-Rap around the island. Or try casting a Vib-E. Bass fishing has been good early and late with topwater or try working a plastic worm or lizard along the banks during the day. Crappies are deep, around structure. Bluegills are close to the banks in the coves. For catfish, use nightcrawlers or stink baits and work the creeks.
Acton Lake: Bass have been hitting Rebel Pop-R’s fished early and late. Spinners and plastics have worked best as the day progresses. Crappies have been biting on minnows and jigs at depths of about 4 feet in brush. Anglers are trolling for Saugeyes or casting nightcrawlers, large minnows or leeches. Bluegills are close to the banks and going after waxworms.
Rush Run Lake: Bluegills are biting around the banks. They are being caught mostly with waxworms. A few rainbow trout are still biting, although the warm water has taken the fight out of them. Use waxworms, small spinners or prepared trout bait.
Cowan Lake: Crappies are not biting as much as earlier this spring, but there is still some good crappie fishing. Fish around ledges and underwater structure with minnows. Try the area between the island and the cabins. Bluegills are hitting waxworms and redworms in the coves around brush. The best bass bite has been early or late on topwater baits.
Paint Creek Lake: Crappie fishing has been good, but many are just under the 9-inch limit. Look for brush and fish about 5 feet deep. Chartreuse jigs and minnows have been the best baits. For bass, work the points with Shad-Raps or green/pumpkinseed Brush Hogs. Look for catfish around rocks and fish 4-5 feet deep with cut shad or nightcrawlers. Bluegills are on the beds. Saugeyes are being caught in the spillway on chartreuse twisters.
C.J. Brown Reservoir: Crappies have spawned and are moving to deeper water. Some good-size crappies have been caught in and around the marina. For walleyes, troll over the humps or jig with nightcrawlers or leeches. Also work the brush that was placed in front of the coves on the west side of the lake. Bluegills are spawning and close to the banks. White bass have been hitting Roostertails, Mepps and anything shiny all over the lake.
Lake Loramie: Fishing remains very good for bluegills and catfish. Both are spawning and close to the banks. For bluegills use a jig tipped with a waxworm. For catfish, try cut shad, nightcrawlers or chicken liver. Crappies are plentiful, but small. Most of the larger fish seem to have headed for deeper water. For bass, work the banks with spinners or plastics.
Lake Erie: The best walleye fishing in the western basin has been northwest of West Sister Island, around Niagara Reef and also east of Kelleys Island. In the central basin, walleye fishing has been excellent between Ruggles Reef and Lorain in 28 to 36 feet of water. The best perch reports have come from Marblehead, Kelleys Island and Rattlesnake Island.
For Lake Erie information, visit wildohio.com or call (888) HOOK-FISH.
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