LINK TO THE WALLEYE/WHITE BASS RIVER RUN REPORT

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River Spawning of Walleye

Walleye are present all year long in the MAUMEE and SANDUSKY RIVERS in relatively low numbers; however, the number of walleye dramatically increases during annual spawning runs up these tributaries from Lake Erie. A variety of factors trigger the spawning run including: water temperature, river flow, and photoperiod (hours of daylight). Walleye spawning occurs anytime from mid-March through mid-April, but frequently the peak activity occurs the last week of March through the second week of April. Walleye spawn when water temperatures range from 42°F  to 52° F. High river flows will also increase the number of walleye in the river, especially if river temperatures are warmer than Lake Erie temperatures.

Predictions for 2013

This should be an excellent year to harvest walleye from the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers. 

In the Maumee River, walleye from the strong 2003 year class will continue to dominate harvest again this year with contributions from the 2007, 2008, 2009 and year classes with some 2010 fish showing up.  These fish will range from 19 to 28 inches with most of the male walleye being around 21 inches, and the female walleye will be in the mid-20 inch range.  Some large walleye in the 22 to 30-inch range will be caught this spring.  Those large walleye are from the 1996, 1999, 2001, and 2003 year classes. Walleye over 30 inches may date back to good year classes from 1993 and 1994 or even year classes from the late 1980's. Walleye caught in past years have been as old as 26 years.

In the Sandusky River, the 2007 and 2009 year class will be tyhe dominate contributors to the run with fish from the 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2008 year classes contributing to the 2013 harvest.  The larger fish in the Sandusky River harvest will come from the 1998, 1997, and 1994 year classes.

Anglers are reminded that there is a 15-inch minimum size limit the entire season for walleye.

Fishing Tips

On the Maumee River the best area to fish for walleye is from the Conant Street Bridge upstream to the end of Jerome Road in Lucas County.  Click here for a map of the Maumee River.

On the Sandusky River the best area to fish for walleye is from Brady's Island to Rodger Young Park.  Click here for a map of the Sandusky River.

Most anglers fish the rivers by wading, or fishing from shore. Car-top boats are sometimes used in both rivers. Trailered boats are used in the lower portions of both rivers. Boat ramps are available on the Sandusky River just north of the State Street Bridge in Fremont, and on the Maumee River at the foot of Maple Street in Perrysburg and at Orleans Park also in Perrysburg. Caution is strongly recommended in both rivers as they are often high in the early spring and quite treacherous. The best baits for walleye are floating jigs tipped with white, yellow or fluorescent colored twister tails.  Lures are available at bait stands set up along the Maumee River. 

Important Phone Numbers

For fishing report infromation: Check the Ohio Divison of Wildlife web page at www.wildohio.com or call:  800-WILDLIFE, 800-BUCKEYE, 888-HOOKFISH, or call Wildlife District Two at 419-424-5000.
 
For local information call:
For the Maumee River call the Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce:   419-874-9147
For the Sandusky River call the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau:  419-332-4470 .

Call 800-POACHER to report violoations anonymously.

Regulations

(See also the 2013-2014 Fishing Regulations)

Walleye are protected by a 15-inch minimum length-limit year around on Lake Erie, the bays, and the tributaries up to the first dam. From March 1 thru April 30, 2012, anglers may take a daily limit of four (4) (singly or in combination) walleye, saugeye, and sauger. For May 1, 2013 thru February 28, 2014, the daily bag limit will be announced by May 1st.

Special regulations for black bass (includes smallmouth bass) are in place for all Lake Erie Tributaries, including the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers, up to their fist dam. Black bass season is closed to possession, from May 1 through the last Friday in June (June 28, 2013); any caught must be released immediately unharmed.  Black bass are protected by a 14-inch minimum length limit in Lake Erie and the tributaries up to the first dam at all times. 

On the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers there is also a regulation limiting hook size from March 1st through May 1st. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a line having attached more than one single hook (no treble hooks) larger than one-half inch from shank to point, or a lure having more than a single hook larger than one-half inch from shank to point. The area on the Maumee River with this hook restriction is from the Grand Rapids Providence Dam to a line in Maumee Bay from Little Cedar Point to Turtle Island. The hook regulation applies to the section of the Sandusky River from where the Toledo Edison Power line (Old Ballville and Fifth Street Line) crosses the river at the south west corner of Rodger Young Park in the City of Fremont to a line in Sandusky Bay running one quarter mile east of, and parallel to, the full length of the Conrail Railroad Bridge in Sandusky Bay (from N 41 degrees 29’ 35.4", W 082 degrees 49’ 18.0" to N 41 degrees 28’ 02.4", W 082 degrees 47’ 58.2".

Sections of the Maumee River and Sandusky Rivers are closed to night time fishing from March 1 through May 1. During those dates it is not legal to engage in fishing between sunset and the following sunrise. The Maumee River is closed to night time fishing from the Ohio turnpike bridge to the Old Waterville interurban bridge at the end of Forst Road, in Wood County, and from State Route 578 Bridge to the Grand Rapids Providence Dam. The Sandusky River is closed to night time fishing from where the Toledo Edison power line (Old Ballville and Fifth Street line) crosses the Sandusky River at the southeast corner of Rodger Young Park (in the City of Fremont) to the northern tip of Brady's Island.

One section of the Sandusky River is closed to all fishing during the walleye spawning run. The area on the Sandusky River from the Ballville Dam to the Toledo Edison power line (Old Ballville and Fifth Street line) located at the southeast corner of Rodger Young Park (in the City of Fremont) is closed to all fishing from March 1 to May 1.