Southeast Ohio fishing forecasts released
ATHENS – As the spring days grow warmer, more and more Ohioans will be venturing out to go fishing. Ohio offers many fantastic opportunities for the public to fish, including 124,000 acres of inland water, 7,000 miles of streams, 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie water, and 481 miles of the Ohio River, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Here are a few areas in southeast Ohio anglers may want to check out.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife has numerous resources available to assist anglers, including lake maps, fishing tips by species, and fishing forecasts based on survey data. New this year, is an interactive fishing map which allows anglers to select features to customize their own fishing maps for Ohio’s inland lakes. The interactive map is even mobile friendly so anglers can access information right on the water. For more information, click the fishing tab at wildohio.gov.
Black Bass
Burr Oak Lake (Athens and Morgan counties) – This 668 acre lake is popular for both its population and sizes of largemouth bass. You can find lots of great structure around the main lake point and shoreline across from Dock 4, around the lodge, and the S-bend towards the lower end of the lake. Boat access is available at four different docks, as well as the State Park Lodge/Cabin Boat Launch. Shore access is available around all the docks, along Beach Rd. and campground, along the dam, and numerous trails surrounding the lake. Unlimited horsepower with no wake. Largemouth bass have a 5 fish daily limit and none may be taken between 12 and 15 inches. Fishing is best in the spring and at night. Check out the new interactive fishing map for depth contours and habitat information.
Crappie
Piedmont Lake (Belmont County) – Located between Cambridge and St. Clairsville, this popular lake has a good population of crappie over 9 inches. Fish the numerous fish attractors in the lake, around laydown trees, and around the docks. These areas will attract crappie most of the year. Check out the fishing tips by species page at wildohio.gov. Boat access is available at Piedmont Marina off Marina Road, and at the Reynolds Rd. Launch Ramp off Reynolds Rd. Shore access is available along the dam, around the marina, and off Reynolds Rd. by the boat ramp. There is a 10 horsepower limit on the lake. Crappie have a 9 inch minimum size and 30 daily bag limit.
Sunfish
AEP ReCreation Land (Morgan, Muskingum, and Noble counties) – This unique property has 100s of ponds/lakes with good populations and sizes of sunfish. Many lakes have easy access, but if you’re looking for trophy sunfish it’s worth the time to target ponds/lakes off the beaten path. Lakes on A-C Hull Road, Rural Dale Road, and the equine trail head road have ramps. However, kayak, float tube, or shore fishing is probably the best way to fish the area. There are seven different campgrounds if you’re interested in an extended stay. All users must obtain a free permit from AEP AEP (https://www.aep.com/environment/conservation/recland/permit.aspx). Maps are also available at (https://www.aep.com/environment/conservation/recland/maps.aspx) Largemouth bass have a 3 fish split daily limit with 2 fish less than 14 inches and 1 fish greater than or equal to 20 inches. Sunfish have a 20 fish daily bag with no size limit.
Catfish
Muskingum River (Coshocton, Muskingum, Morgan, and Washington counties) – Good populations of both channel and flathead catfish, with potential for a trophy fish. Target any of the 10 lock and dams along the river and deeper outside bends in the river, especially those with cover. Catfish have an excellent sense of smell and taste, so baits like cut shad, chicken livers, shrimp, and nightcrawlers are effective. You don’t need much tackle either, use a fixed or slip sinker to fish your bait on the bottom. Boat access is available at Baird Concrete Access and Coshocton City Access in Coshocton, Dresden Ramp in Dresden, Ellis Lock and Dam on Ellis Dam Road, Riverside Park and Putnam Landing in Zanesville, Malta Village Ramp in Malta, McConnelsville Wharf Park and McConnelsville Ramp in McConnelsville, Stockport Lake and Dam in Stockport, Luke Chute Lock and Dam on County Road 102, Beverly Ramp in Beverly, Indian Acres Boat Ramp in Marietta, and numerous private ramps along the river. Shore access is available in Zanesville and at all 10 lock and dams.
Walleye/Saugeye
Seneca Lake (Noble County) – There are lots of harvestable saugeye, although larger fish may be harder to come by. Good shore access is available in some top spots for this species. Fish October-April along the dam, around the islands, around the beach, the 313 causeway (Cadillac Bay causeway), and old road beds. The tailwater is also a good spot in the fall after the lake is in draw down. Harvestable fish are much harder to come by in the summer. Boat access is available at the Seneca Launch Ram off Seneca Dam Road, Seneca Marina Ramp off Lashley Road, and the Seneca Park Campground Ramp off Park Road. Shore access is available along the dam, along the causeways, at the campground, and roads that are long the lake. Saugeye have a 15 inch minimum and 6 fish daily limit.
