2010 ODNR Fishing Report
By
ODNR Report-
2010 Fishing Forecast
Ohio Department of Natural Resources: Division of Wildlife
Rocky Fork Lake Creek
Largemouth Bass:
Outlook — Excellent
Excellent numbers of largemouth bass 12-18" and lots of 2-4 pound fish; a few smallmouth bass are present, some up to 3-4 pounds. Tournament anglers weighed in a 5 lb. 8 oz. fish in 2005 and a 6 lb. 3 oz. bass in 2006. In 2009, bass anglers experienced good catch rates as compared to other lakes statewide. Try spinner baits, jigs, or plastic worms around weed beds, fallen shoreline trees or rocky shorelines.
Crappie:
Outlook — Excellent
Large population, most 8-10", with fair numbers up to 12”. In spring, fish around brushy shorelines or fallen trees. In summer and fall, try dropoffs or points adjacent to deep water for some of the larger fish. In 2009, anglers enjoyed good catch rates and harvested fish which averaged 9 inches. Effective March 1, 2010 there is a 9-inch minimum size limit and a daily bag limit of 30 for crappies at Rocky Fork Lake.
Channel Catfish:
Outlook — Good
Strong population of channel catfish, most 1-3 pounds, some over 10 pounds. Good numbers of flathead catfish present, some over 30 pounds. Best time June - August.
Bluegill Sunfish:
Outlook — Excellent
Large population, most 5-7". In 2009, bluegill anglers had excellent catch rates and harvested bluegills that averaged 6.7 inches. Fish around weed beds, fallen trees, or boat docks using red worms, wax worms, or small jigs. May and June are the best months.
Saugeye:
Outlook — Good
Saugeye fishing over the last 5 years has been hard to predict-- great in 2005, slow in 2007, very good in 2008, and good in 2009. The average length of saugeye harvested in 2009 was 14.3". This year, look for good numbers of 13-18" fish, with some fish over 24". The best catches are during May through July. Drift bottom-bouncing night crawler rigs, cast jigs and twister tails, and casting or troll crankbaits.
White Bass:
Outlook — Good
Good numbers of 8-12 inch fish. The population has grown considerably over the last 5 years, yet very few anglers target white bass. Try casting small spinners or small jigs with twister tails. In the main lake, try trolling small silver crankbaits or casting jigs, spinners, and blade baits from July through October.
Paint Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass:
Outlook — Excellent
Lots of largemouth bass 12 - 17", with some up to 4 pounds. A few spotted bass and smallmouth bass present. A spring 2008 electrofishing survey produced excellent numbers of 13-19 inch fish.
Crappie:
Outlook — Excellent
Lots of 8-10" fish, some over 12". In 2008, crappie anglers had high catch rates, and harvested black crappies which averaged 9.2 inches. Flooded timber areas, shoreline brush, and rocky areas are best in spring. Also, late fall fishing usually good along steeper rocky shorelines.
Channel Catfish:
Outlook — Excellent
Strong population of channel catfish, most 12 - 24". Fair numbers of flathead catfish, some over 20 pounds. Tailwater pool also provides excellent opportunities, especially from May through July.
Bluegill Sunfish:
Outlook — Excellent
A 2007 electrofishing survey showed good numbers of 5-7 inch fish. In 2008, bluegill anglers had excellent catch rates and kept fish that averaged 6.7 inches. Best areas are around standing timber or rocky shorelines. Try casting small tube jigs, or use a wax worm or red worm below a bobber.
Saugeye:
Outlook — Excellent
The lake holds fair numbers of fish, but anglers are most successful in the tailwater below the dam. This tailwater is one of the best saugeye locations in Ohio; most fish caught are from 10-18", with some up to 6 pounds. A lead head jig (1/16 to 1⁄4 ounce) with a plastic twister tail body is all you need. Tailwater fishing is best from November - May after high flows. In the lake, try points and dropoffs adjacent to flat areas.
White Bass:
Outlook — Good
Moderate numbers of 8-12” fish, with some 13-15 inchers. Try casting jigs with twisters or trolling small crankbaits. August through October can be peak time. Very few anglers target white bass in the lake. The average size white bass kept in 2008 was a very respectable 13.1 inches.[[In-content Ad]]
Ohio Department of Natural Resources: Division of Wildlife
Rocky Fork Lake Creek
Largemouth Bass:
Outlook — Excellent
Excellent numbers of largemouth bass 12-18" and lots of 2-4 pound fish; a few smallmouth bass are present, some up to 3-4 pounds. Tournament anglers weighed in a 5 lb. 8 oz. fish in 2005 and a 6 lb. 3 oz. bass in 2006. In 2009, bass anglers experienced good catch rates as compared to other lakes statewide. Try spinner baits, jigs, or plastic worms around weed beds, fallen shoreline trees or rocky shorelines.
Crappie:
Outlook — Excellent
Large population, most 8-10", with fair numbers up to 12”. In spring, fish around brushy shorelines or fallen trees. In summer and fall, try dropoffs or points adjacent to deep water for some of the larger fish. In 2009, anglers enjoyed good catch rates and harvested fish which averaged 9 inches. Effective March 1, 2010 there is a 9-inch minimum size limit and a daily bag limit of 30 for crappies at Rocky Fork Lake.
Channel Catfish:
Outlook — Good
Strong population of channel catfish, most 1-3 pounds, some over 10 pounds. Good numbers of flathead catfish present, some over 30 pounds. Best time June - August.
Bluegill Sunfish:
Outlook — Excellent
Large population, most 5-7". In 2009, bluegill anglers had excellent catch rates and harvested bluegills that averaged 6.7 inches. Fish around weed beds, fallen trees, or boat docks using red worms, wax worms, or small jigs. May and June are the best months.
Saugeye:
Outlook — Good
Saugeye fishing over the last 5 years has been hard to predict-- great in 2005, slow in 2007, very good in 2008, and good in 2009. The average length of saugeye harvested in 2009 was 14.3". This year, look for good numbers of 13-18" fish, with some fish over 24". The best catches are during May through July. Drift bottom-bouncing night crawler rigs, cast jigs and twister tails, and casting or troll crankbaits.
White Bass:
Outlook — Good
Good numbers of 8-12 inch fish. The population has grown considerably over the last 5 years, yet very few anglers target white bass. Try casting small spinners or small jigs with twister tails. In the main lake, try trolling small silver crankbaits or casting jigs, spinners, and blade baits from July through October.
Paint Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass:
Outlook — Excellent
Lots of largemouth bass 12 - 17", with some up to 4 pounds. A few spotted bass and smallmouth bass present. A spring 2008 electrofishing survey produced excellent numbers of 13-19 inch fish.
Crappie:
Outlook — Excellent
Lots of 8-10" fish, some over 12". In 2008, crappie anglers had high catch rates, and harvested black crappies which averaged 9.2 inches. Flooded timber areas, shoreline brush, and rocky areas are best in spring. Also, late fall fishing usually good along steeper rocky shorelines.
Channel Catfish:
Outlook — Excellent
Strong population of channel catfish, most 12 - 24". Fair numbers of flathead catfish, some over 20 pounds. Tailwater pool also provides excellent opportunities, especially from May through July.
Bluegill Sunfish:
Outlook — Excellent
A 2007 electrofishing survey showed good numbers of 5-7 inch fish. In 2008, bluegill anglers had excellent catch rates and kept fish that averaged 6.7 inches. Best areas are around standing timber or rocky shorelines. Try casting small tube jigs, or use a wax worm or red worm below a bobber.
Saugeye:
Outlook — Excellent
The lake holds fair numbers of fish, but anglers are most successful in the tailwater below the dam. This tailwater is one of the best saugeye locations in Ohio; most fish caught are from 10-18", with some up to 6 pounds. A lead head jig (1/16 to 1⁄4 ounce) with a plastic twister tail body is all you need. Tailwater fishing is best from November - May after high flows. In the lake, try points and dropoffs adjacent to flat areas.
White Bass:
Outlook — Good
Moderate numbers of 8-12” fish, with some 13-15 inchers. Try casting jigs with twisters or trolling small crankbaits. August through October can be peak time. Very few anglers target white bass in the lake. The average size white bass kept in 2008 was a very respectable 13.1 inches.[[In-content Ad]]