Post by eriequest on Mar 8, 2009 16:27:55 GMT -5
March heralds the annual walleye spawning run in Lake Erie’s Maumee and Sandusky Rivers. A variety of factors trigger this annual migration including water temperature, photo period, and river flow. Male walleye usually move up the river first as water temperatures near 40°F. Female walleye follow and spawning activity begins when waters warm to 42° - 52°F. Photo period (the hours of daylight) is related to the calendar date. Photo period triggers walleye to spawn near the same date every year; usually from late March to mid April, yet moderated to high river flows may encourage walleye to move up the river earlier. These rivers usually warm up faster than Lake Erie and their flow into the lake promote upstream walleye movements.
Spring 2009 should be an excellent year to catch walleye in these rivers. Walleye from the strong 2003 year class will dominate the harvest and typically range form 18 to 26-inches. Some larger walleye in the 22 to 30-inch range will be caught this spring, also. Larger walleye will be from hatches in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2001 year classes. Walleye longer than 30-inches may date back to 1993, 1994, or even the late 1980s. Walleye harvested in the past were as old as 24 years.
Anglers generally fish these rivers by wading with chest waders or fishing from small boats. Whether fishing the river by wading or from a boat, use caution in the swift current. The cold water temperatures can be hazardous if you fall in. The best area to fish in the Maumee River is from the Conant Street Bridge between Perrysburg and Maumee. The best area to fish for walleye in the Sandusky River is from Brady’s Island to Rodger Young Park. Floating jig heads tipped with brightly colored plastic tails, fished about 18 to 24-inches below a weight is generally the most successful lure. The amount of weight depends on the amount of current; at low river stages use about 3/8 oz. weight and at high river flow you may need heavier ¾ oz. weight.
Maumee and Sandusky River Spawning Runs:
Walleye Fishing Forecast for 2009
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 2009
This should be an excellent year to harvest walleye from the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers.
Walleye from the strong 2003 year class will dominate harvest again this year. They will range from 18 to 26 inches with most of the male walleye being around 20 inches, and the female walleye will be in the mid-20 inch range. Larger walleye from the 1996, 1998, and 2001 year classes will be 22 to 30 inches this spring. Some walleye that are 30+ inches will be caught from the 1993, 1994, year classes, or even year classes from the late 1980's. Walleye as old as 24-years have been harvested from the Maumee River in past years. Smaller walleye in the harvest will most likely come from the 2005 year class. Male walleye from the 2007 year class could also be caught and some of them could be smaller than the 15-inch minimum length limit. 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. On the Sandusky River the best area to fish for walleye is from Brady's Island to Rodger Young Park.
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 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 419-874-9174
For the Sandusky River call the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau 419-332-4470 .
Spring 2009 should be an excellent year to catch walleye in these rivers. Walleye from the strong 2003 year class will dominate the harvest and typically range form 18 to 26-inches. Some larger walleye in the 22 to 30-inch range will be caught this spring, also. Larger walleye will be from hatches in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2001 year classes. Walleye longer than 30-inches may date back to 1993, 1994, or even the late 1980s. Walleye harvested in the past were as old as 24 years.
Anglers generally fish these rivers by wading with chest waders or fishing from small boats. Whether fishing the river by wading or from a boat, use caution in the swift current. The cold water temperatures can be hazardous if you fall in. The best area to fish in the Maumee River is from the Conant Street Bridge between Perrysburg and Maumee. The best area to fish for walleye in the Sandusky River is from Brady’s Island to Rodger Young Park. Floating jig heads tipped with brightly colored plastic tails, fished about 18 to 24-inches below a weight is generally the most successful lure. The amount of weight depends on the amount of current; at low river stages use about 3/8 oz. weight and at high river flow you may need heavier ¾ oz. weight.
Maumee and Sandusky River Spawning Runs:
Walleye Fishing Forecast for 2009
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 2009
This should be an excellent year to harvest walleye from the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers.
Walleye from the strong 2003 year class will dominate harvest again this year. They will range from 18 to 26 inches with most of the male walleye being around 20 inches, and the female walleye will be in the mid-20 inch range. Larger walleye from the 1996, 1998, and 2001 year classes will be 22 to 30 inches this spring. Some walleye that are 30+ inches will be caught from the 1993, 1994, year classes, or even year classes from the late 1980's. Walleye as old as 24-years have been harvested from the Maumee River in past years. Smaller walleye in the harvest will most likely come from the 2005 year class. Male walleye from the 2007 year class could also be caught and some of them could be smaller than the 15-inch minimum length limit. 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. On the Sandusky River the best area to fish for walleye is from Brady's Island to Rodger Young Park.
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 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 419-874-9174
For the Sandusky River call the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau 419-332-4470 .