Jim Morris’ fishing report

Caesar Creek Lake: Saugeye action has been hot. Anglers are trolling around Walker's Island with spinnerbaits and crawler harnesses. On the flats, try jigging with a nightcrawler. Another good spot has been around the small island near the Wellman boat ramp. Bass are just off of the banks, hitting topwater lures early and late. Crappies are deep, mostly around structure in 20-25 feet of water. Anglers are working the main lake rocks with jigs and spinnerbaits to catch bass.

Grand Lake St. Marys: Crappie fishing is still good, but you might have to work a little harder to find them. On sunny days, look for shady spots, like pontoons, docks or low-hanging trees. A minnow under a slip bobber is the best bet. Bluegills are around rocks and seawalls, hitting waxworms. Catfish have slowed, but still biting on cut shad, chicken liver and nightcrawlers. There is a Big Cat Tournament this weekend. Call (419) 394-5769 for details.

Lake Loramie: Crappies have moved to deeper water, around lily pads and brush. Use minnows or jigs tipped with waxworms. Catfish are going after nightcrawlers, chicken liver and shrimp. Bluegills are hanging around on rocky shoreline, some still spawning. Waxworms on a rubber spider or ice jig works well. Cast around wood with spinnerbaits and plastics to catch bass.

Cowan Lake: Try fishing the ledges, like the one in front of the marina, to catch crappies. Use minnows and vary the depths with a slip bobber. Bass have been hitting topwater baits early and late. Use nightcrawlers and chubs to catch catfish. Try trolling with a crawler harness to catch saugeyes.

C.J. Brown Reservoir: Bass fishing has been very good over humps. There are a couple of humps near the marina that have produced numerous fish. Also fish off of the west bank rocks in 6-12 feet of water with spinnerbaits and jigs. Both smallmouth and largemouth are being caught. For walleyes, try jigging with a nightcrawler or twister with a chunk of nightcrawler over the humps and old road bed. You might also use bass minnows or leeches. Or try trolling with a crawler harness. Fish for bluegills around fish attractors, using waxworms or redworms for bait.

Paint Creek Lake: Plenty of crappies are still being caught, but most are small. The deeper you fish, the chances of catching a larger fish increase. Use minnows and fish around wood. Bass fishing has moved to the points with crankbaits about 5-8 feet deep. Or use a fire-tiger plastic worm along bluff walls. In the spillway, they're catching saugeyes with a chartreuse/red fleck twister tipped with a piece of nightcrawler. Use a minnow under a bobber to catch crappies.

Rocky Fork Lake: Bass have been hitting spinnerbaits, buzzbaits or 6-inch worms along the edges of weedbeds in 5-7 feet of water. For saugeyes, troll in front of the beaches with a crawler harness or a pink or chartreuse twister tipped with a piece of nightcrawler. For catfish, work the west end of the lake with cut shad or nightcrawlers. Bluegills are around brush and docks, hitting waxworms.

Indian Lake: Saugeye fishing has slowed, although a few are still being caught off of the south bank by trolling with a crawler harness or a brightly colored twister tipped with a nightcrawler. Work around bridges and shady areas during the day. The Moundwood channel has been a good spot for catfish, using cut shad, chicken liver or nightcrawlers. Channel cats have been biting pretty much all over the lake.

Acton Lake: Anglers have been out early and late to avoid the heat of recent days. Most of the action has been for channel catfish, which are biting on chicken liver, nightcrawlers and pieces of hot dog. Bass have been hitting topwater lures along the banks, around weeds and wood. Crappies have moved to deeper water. Bluegills are still hitting waxworms around brush and docks.

Lake Erie: Walleyes have been caught near the turnaround buoy of the Toledo shipping channel, around the Toledo water intake, north of West Sister Island, near "B", "G" and "H" buoys of the Camp Perry firing range, around Clinton Reef, off Mouse Island, southeast of Kelleys Island and near Gull Island Shoal. Most fish have been caught by trolling with spoons or worm harnesses and by casting with weight-forward spinners or mayfly rigs.

Yellow perch have been caught northwest of West Sister Island, off the Marblehead Lighthouse, southwest of Kelleys Island on American Eagle Shoal and south of Ballast Island.

For Lake Erie information, visit ohiodnr.gov or call (888) HOOK-FISH.

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