Area officials are trying to ensure fishermen are adhering to social distancing recommendations while the annual walleye spawning run continues.
A popular spot near the border of the city of Maumee and Monclova Township is raising questions. The rapids near the intersection of Jerome Road and River Road is drawing anglers in droves.
“It’s always in this one area of Maumee west of the bridge,” Mayor Richard Carr said. “They were congregating in Maumee, and that’s why we closed things down. It was shoulder to shoulder. Everyone was just totally ignoring social distancing.”
Maumee blocked access points along the Maumee River and put a no-parking order in place on all streets adjacent to the river earlier this month. The order remains in effect until further notice, which also affects River Road through Side Cut Metropark.
Mayor Carr said the city police department is keeping an eye on the situation, but fishermen are gathering within Monclova Township outside its jurisdiction. Scott Carpenter, spokesman for Metroparks Toledo, agreed, saying the main gathering area is outside the park’s boundaries.
The Lucas County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife retain law-enforcement jurisdiction in the area. Brett Warner, spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said the shoreline and river are under the Ohio DNR’s purview.
He said one township property owner in the area is allowing anglers to park on his property and collecting fees, which he told sheriff’s deputies were donations for a church. The sheriff’s office forwarded the concern to Monclova Township officials as a possible zoning violation.
Metroparks rangers are separating any large groups they come across within Side Cut’s boundaries, Mr. Carpenter said. Metroparks kept Side Cut open for fishing after consulting with the Toledo-Lucas County Health department.
“People get the message for the most part, and seeing officers is a reminder,” he said. “We have signs up all around. If there’s a group of people anywhere in the metroparks, our rangers will tell them to please disperse.”
Sarah Wickman, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, said the agency’s division of wildlife “has specifically focused patrols along the Maumee River, checking fishing licenses and encouraging social distancing during the walleye run.”
“Wildlife officers in the area today reported high numbers of anglers,” Ms. Wickman said in a prepared statement. “Shoreline and boat activity resulted in some people being close together but they would spread out when contacted. Family units may remain closer together. We will continue to provide patrols along the river for the safety of all Ohioans.”
The ODNR has temporarily suspended the sale of non-resident hunting and fishing licenses, she added.
First Published April 19, 2020, 1:38 a.m.
