That solitary figure standing waist deep in the frigid 38-degree waters of the Maumee River early Thursday morning was there based on faith, a chronic case of cabin fever that only a fishing rod and a long cast could cure, and some seemingly wise meteorological calculations.

Traditionally, the walleye start to come back to the Maumee and several other rivers that feed Lake Erie about mid-March as they begin their spawning run. The fishermen hold the belief that, the good Lord willing and even if the creek does rise, the walleye will make their annual appearance. That's a sound, faith-based conclusion.

They also are aware that the walleye run, despite the occasional interruptions brought on by a snowstorm or impossibly high water, signals the unofficial start of the 2012 fishing season. The door of angling opportunity opens and the confinement of winter ends.

Those weather-related computations that have lured a few fishermen into the river in February with a siren's song of early rewards are based on the widely held theory that a mild winter with very little ice on the river has to translate into walleyes jumping the gun and shooting up the river prematurely.

That's what some fishermen reckon will happen, so they want to be there as part of the welcome wagon. But the fish doctors, the biologists who study every move these creatures make, say not so fast -- to the fishermen and the fish.

"We don't think the spawning season will start any earlier than it usually does," said Jeff Tyson, fisheries biologist supervisor at the Ohio Division of Wildlife's Sandusky Fisheries Research Station.

Tyson said since both daylight and water temperature work to trigger thousands of walleyes to move out of the lake and into the rivers, a relatively mild winter won't throw things off schedule.

"As much as anything, the start of the spawning run is tied to the photo period -- the amount of light and the length of the day," he said. "We'll see a few males come into the river early, like we normally do, but the females and the majority of the fish will likely not arrive until the middle of March."

Mike Wilkerson, fish management supervisor for the Division of Wildlife office in Findlay, said even dramatic fluctuations in winter weather should not have a measurable impact on the timing of the walleye run.

"Typically, we don't see fish in the river in significant numbers until mid-March, with the peak of the run usually coming around the end of the month and into early April," he said. "I understand that due to the milder winter and if we get a sunny day in late February, people will flock out to the river, but doesn't mean the run has started."

Whether the fish are in the river en masse, the special walleye run regulations go into effect March 1 and stay in place until May 1.

The rules are enforced on specific sections of the Maumee, Portage, Sandusky and Mahoning rivers.

The major aspects of the walleye run regulations include: Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset only; anglers can use only a single hook no larger than one-half inch from shank to point; no treble hooks are allowed, and it is illegal to keep snagged fish.

The walleye run rules are outlined in the 2012 Ohio fishing regulations pamphlet distributed with new fishing licenses. These rules are aggressively enforced.

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Volunteers needed: The Bird Center at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area near Oak Harbor is seeking volunteers to help staff the center, work in the bookstore, and assist with programs and special events. Call Mary at 419-898-0960 extension 31 for information, or to register for the volunteers training on March 10.

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Boating education: The Western Lake Erie Safe Boating Council will hold a class on March 3 at the Cooley Canal Yacht Club on Bono Road in Curtice. The class meets Ohio and Michigan requirements for mandatory boater education. Contact Christopher Hoover at 419-343-0251 for details.

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Ducks unlimited: The Fallen Timbers Ducks Unlimited chapter will hold its annual fund-raising banquet on March 10 at the Electrical Industry Banquet Hall on Lime City Road in Rossford. For tickets or information call Heather Schramko (419-467-2850) or Cornelia Wagner (419-297-5179).

Contact Blade outdoors editor Matt Markey at: mmarkey@theblade.com or 419-724-6068

First Published February 24, 2012, 9:08 a.m.