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Walleye Run

Love it or hate it, it's an annual tradition!

Every Spring, thousands of anglers descend on this part of Ohio to fish the waters of the Maumee & Sandusky Rivers for a spawning run of Walleye followed by White Bass.  Popular spots include downtown Fremont, Ohio (Sandusky River) and Sidecut Park, Toledo, Ohio (Maumee River).  While I wont get too specific on the science of the run, I will give a basic overview.  The fish that enter these tributaries are a small portion of the resident Walleye from the Western basin of Lake Erie and a smaller number from Lake St.

Clair.  Fish usually start showing up early March and continue to be present through mid to late April.  The White Bass that follow the Walleye will often continue several weeks past this.  Most people consider the water temperature hitting 40 degrees as the start of the run.  At this point, the anglers start to show up and the fishing 'pressure' can be intense.  Many people do not like fishing the run due to the 'elbow to elbow' crowded fishing conditions.  If you avoid the weekends and are willing to try spots a bit tougher for fish you can avoid the crowds somewhat.  Also, it tends to get blown out of proportion about everyone's behavior, most folks get along fine.  I've made a lot of friends for the day with my nearby anglers.

The Ohio DNR has a strong presence at the Walleye Run, both visibly and undercover efforts.  Their main goal is to make sure people are not illegally snagging fish.  Many people feel the DNR tends to be a bit too militant at this time, however, I have never had anything but positive firsthand experiences.  I will say it is a good idea if you walk by any trash or debris to pick it up, regardless of whether it was yours or not.  This is a good sportsman quality to have at all times anyways.  There are a few stereotypes and misinformation that always seem to surface about the run that completely make me angry.  One is that the fish aren't biting and that they are all snagged.  Simply put, this just isn't true.  When you fish for them, you will feel the strike often no different than a bass, and the obvious strike is verified when you net a fish that is clearly mouth hooked.  At times you will inadvertantly snag a fish, usually you can tell it is a snag and not a bite immediately.  When this happens, just release the fish and no harm.  I was motivated a few years ago to call the ODNR after reading on some of the fishing web communities people's opinions and thoughts about the run.  An Ohio DNR fish biologist from the Cleveland office was nice enough to give me about an hour of their time.  Thank you Andy!  The first question I asked was regarding a claim that the DNR had done a study that showed the fish aren't biting.  Needless to say, that was quickly discarded as non factual.  The DNR has never done any study to quantify or qualify the way, reason, or any other aspect of the feeding of the 'run' fish.  They just simply operate with the understanding the fish do bite and are legally taken, with the enforcement division actively seeking those anglers taking fish when this does not occur.  We had a lengthy discussion over how the river fish were considered snagged by unethical angling rifraf yet the boaters fishing the same spawning fish in the lake was perceived as 'sporting'.  This leads right into the next aspect that we talked about concerning the run.  Why is the run open to fishing at all if the fish are spawning?  It was explained to me that the number of fish entering the rivers to spawn is only a very small portion of the total Walleye population.  The Walleye entering into the river also have a much more statistically tough time to have a successful spawn verses the much larger population in the lake.  This isn't from angling pressure but rather the specific conditions needed in the river to make the spawn successful.  Anyone familiar with NW Ohio weather knows how sporadic and inconsistent our weather can be. The proposed data expressed in the phonecall was that even with perfect conditions in the river, that successful spawn would likely represent 15% or less of the total Walleye population.  More commonly the river fish represent 4 to 8% of the total population.  If anything, to me, this would indicate closer regulations for the lake fish as they make up the larger portion of the fish population and also are more likely to successfully spawn.  I am playing 'devil's advocate' of course, and I do think the river fish should also have some regulation to be assured they are successful enough to keep creating a fresh crop of fish that will return.  Overall, the argument really shoudn't be over the run it should be whether people believe in fishing during the spawn at all.  The debate over that is something well known to bass fisherman and will always be going on, it surely won't be decided anytime soon.

Enough about the politics, onto catching these fine fish!  Most people wade, there are a few shorefishing spots, and some use small boats.  This is one of the few times that I really don't think the boaters have the upperhand.  Between navigating the heavy current and the extremely shallow water, I just assume wade.  Most use spinning gear, and a pole between 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet long with either 8 or 10 pound mono.  If you use braid, it will often start freying on all the rocks.  The standard rig is a simple lead head and single tail grub. Weight varies and commonly it is thought to use the lightest weight you can that will still get you on the bottom.  Tails vary in size also, 3" to 4" is standard.  As for colors, every person you ask will have a different opinion.  I will say this, there have been days where it really seems not to matter at all and there have been days where one specific combination seems to work.  Whether it's fact or fiction, take a few different combos, but more importantly, pay attention to technique.  The most important thing is to make sure you get low enough, let the jig hit the bottom, then retrieve making contact with the bottom rather frequently to make sure your presentation is as close to the bottom as possible.  It's almost like a jigging retrieve.  Another completely different setup is the carolina rig.  With this, just use a floating head with your grub, make a leader about a foot to a foot and a half, barrel swivel and egg sinker.  This has grown in popularity over recent years and I have had success with it.  I cannot say that I prefer one over the other as both produce fish.  To the left, I have a couple limits from 2003 and the combo that took the most fish that year.

The fish you catch will largely be jacks (males), they are the first to show up and throughout the run they seem to feed more.  Most of these fish will be 16 to 22 inches, however, you can catch some huge males.  As for the females, they don't seem to bite much pre spawn or during spawn, but post spawn they seem to feed a bit.  Those individuals lucky enough to catch a female are often treated to a real trophy of a specimen.  Many people will release the females and larger fish as they want to protect the fishery as well as prefer the smaller fish as table fare.  I tend to agree with releasing the females, however, keeping a trophy fish is more then understandable.  I will say I completely disagree with keeping multiple big fish, especially prespawn - not to mention it seems a bit suspicious for someone to have an all female stringer when looking at how much more the jacks tend to feed.  As the Walleye begin to wind down, you will start catching White Bass.  The White Bass run is not quite as popular but does have a rather strong following.  While you will catch them with your Walleye setup, those targeting the species will often use spinners, small cranks, smaller grub combos, or if not in strong current, bobber/minnow.  Please note some of those techniques cannot be used until a specific date that is set each year.  I have had alot of success cast and retrieve with a 1/32 oz. jig tipped with minnow.  When you find these fish they feed aggressively and are in huge schools.  It is not unrealistic to catch several hundred fish in rather quick time.  Another fun thing that happens, especially in the Maumee River, is the Smallmouth Bass bonus catches.  While I don't target them during the run, I have caught quite a few during the transition from Walleye to White Bass.  I urge everyone to release all Smallies they catch.  Other bonus catches include Common Carp, Buffalo, Longnose Gar, and various suckers.  The 'run' is some awesome fishing and it is my hope this page has done nothing but encourage people to go try it.  I love any type of cast and retrieve fishing, let alone being in the water, with Spring 'in the air', and feeling the strike and pull of a nice fish!  It is truly a blast!  If you want the best information on the web about the run, go to the link for Maumee Bait & Tackle on my links page.  On their site you will find everything to get on these fish, not to mention all through the run they post tons of great daily pictures, flow updates, & reports.  If you make it to the river, make sure to stop by their shop!

Guide Service

I am unaware of any reputable guide that has been consistent each year for the run.  Instead, I often see a post here or there about a new person offering the service.  Having a guide really isn't necessary for this fishing experience for a variety of reasons.  First, the best fishing spots are actually public access.  Second, the vehicles and number of people fishing make it clear as to where to go.  Third, wading is the standard practice, not necessary to have a boat. Lastly, the rig and technique are rather simple.  I do realize some people are busy with work have absolutely no time to research anything at all and just want the fun with no stress.  In that case, tracking down a guide or experienced Walleye Run angler makes sense.  Feel free to email me if this is the case and I can try to locate who is advertising the guide service for that year.  I do get asked to guide, which I have done, but generally I just try to accomodate my schedule to meet up with folks to help them rather then anything official.  It doesn't take much arm twisting!