The best fishing is often the end product of good habitat, clean water, a healthy ecosystem, and sound management.
The world-class bass fishing we enjoy today on Lake Erie, around the Lake Erie Islands, and in Sandusky Bay and the many marinas along the lake is the reward for Ohio fisheries biologists following this formula.
There are some finely-tuned regulations and restrictions in place that protect the Lake Erie bass fishery and allow it to flourish, producing both more fish and bigger fish. Historically, some of the strongest voices in support of tighter rules around bass fishing were those of bass fishermen.
To keep smallmouth and largemouth bass protected when they are in their spawning period, and easier to locate and target while they aggressively protect their nesting sites, the regulations were tightened to safeguard against an over-harvest of these fish.
So from May 1 through June 23, anglers are limited to one black bass — smallmouth, largemouth, or spotted bass — per day and the fish must be at least 18 inches. The rule applies to the open lake and its adjacent waters, including Maumee Bay, Sandusky Bay, East Harbor, Middle Harbor, and West Harbor.
Those restrictions also are in place on the creeks, rivers, and streams that feed into the lake’s waters, upstream to certain designated end points, usually the first barrier.
On the Maumee River, the one fish per day possession limit and the 18-inch minimum extends to the dam in Grand Rapids. The Sandusky River restrictions extend to the Waterworks Dam in Tiffin.
Elsewhere in the state, the daily limit for these bass species is five, and the minimum length is 12 inches.
Certain reservoirs and ponds open to the public, including those in the La Su An Wildlife Area in Williams County, also have site-specific regulations for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
Consult the 2023-24 Ohio Fishing Regulations handbook for details, or visit ohiodnr.gov.
For white bass, striped bass, and hybrid stripers, the rules are also different on Lake Erie from those in place inland. On Lake Erie and its adjacent waters, there is no daily limit or size limit for white bass, striped bass, or hybrid stripers.
Inland, there is a 30-fish limit for those three species, either singularly or in the aggregate, but no more than four kept fish can be over 15 inches.
■ Lake Erie: In recent days, the most commonly used phrase by charter captains on the big water is “we had to work for them,” meaning the walleye came to the net, often eventually in good numbers, but getting that limit was no stroll in the park. Anglers have been marking large concentrations of fish in the area of “D” can and east of the South Passage, but after each blow day a new search for cooperative fish commences. Trolling Bandits with chrome accents has seduced some fish that were found just 10 to 12 feet down in the water column.
■ Maumee River: The white bass run continues to supply anglers with good action on lightweight tackle, and some fishermen have found good concentrations of spawning fish and filled a stringer. The best baits have been Rooster Tails and jigs dressed with chartreuse Twister Tails for the fishermen working the rapids at Jerome Road and the narrow run at Buttonwood. Anglers floating minnows under bobbers have had some success off Fort Meigs and Orleans Park.
■ Sandusky River: The heavy white bass run continues, with the river at about 63 degrees and average level. Anglers are still taking pre-spawn females so the strong run likely will continue through the weekend. The stretch of the river through the parks has been busy with anglers and fish, while the sugar plant area also has been a good producer.
■ Free fishing days: Ohio’s free fishing weekend will take place on June 17 and 18. All Ohio residents are allowed to fish on those two days without purchasing a license. All size and bag limits remain in place for these two days.
First Published May 17, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
