Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine

Walleye action on the Maumee River
By Brian Miller

I stood in the ice cold water of the great Maumee River awaiting the sunrise. It was early April right in the heart of the walleye run. As soon as the sun peaked over the horizon I found myself casting out into the ripples. My jig bumped along the bottom for a moment until my line went limp. I immediately picked up on the rod to feel the pronounced head shake. I could tell it was going to be a great morning, already having one walleye on the stringer.
Each spring after the ice breaks open and the waters warm, the walleye begin their spawn up the Maumee River. Since the Maumee River is a tributary of Lake Erie, it holds walleye year round. But the walleye move up the river from mid March through April. Then in early May the white bass begin the same spawning cycle.

Expectations
The excitement of catching huge walleye and the ease of access is what attracts anglers to the river each year. I have not been anywhere else that provides the same type of action these walleye bring. On a good day it’s easy to catch a limit in short order. But the river can also close its jaw and refuse you any walleye for hours. It’s fishing, some days they bite like crazy and others make for tough fishing.

Each spring hundreds flock to the shores of the Maumee River from across Ohio, Michigan and a spattering of other states.
The makeup of the river allows easy access by wader or small boats. Anyone with waders can give it a try. The technique for walleye fishing is a very simple. The floating jig with a slip sinker is responsible for more walleye caught then any other lure. The key is to find drop offs, holes and large rocks. Walleye prefer to hide behind the rocks near the rapids where they can grab a snack floating by in the heavy current.

At first glance the river looks the same. But upon further analysis you see an entire world beneath the water. By reading the river through the surface ripples you can become deadly at catching walleyes. Often the main current is running next to a calmer part of the river which causes large ripples running parallel to smaller ripples. This break line causes the fish to stack up in mornings. Big rocks cause one large rolling rapid as the water swirls around the rock. And deep holes cause a calm swirl in the river. These are just a few indicators but are good places to start casting.

From there, it’s an odds game. Once you locate the fish, try to get the lure in front of them more then anyone else. Once the fish are located, remember what you did and repeat it over and over again. Finding preference on retrieve speed, jigging or floating, calm water or rapids, etc. will put many walleye on the line. Find your groove and stick with it until you have a stringer full.

Angler Respect
If you’re interested in a quiet day on the river this is not the place to head. Each year thousands of people flock to the banks of the river to try their luck. During the weekend you’ll be standing shoulder to shoulder. As with any crowded sport, respect among others is needed.
It might seem insane to stand three feet away from another angler. But that is exactly how crowded it gets. If everyone continues to cast directly in front of them tangles are minimal. Everyone is out to have fun and enjoy the sport. Fishing is about enjoying yourself, not getting frustrated. No fish is worth that type of aggravation. With that being said, each year I have the pleasure of reuniting with old friends and meeting many new people. It’s a time of year I look forward to and enjoy the many different people that partake in the sport.

Fishing Reports
Each year anglers pull out some giant walleyes including several over 30 inches. Gary Lowry from Maumee Bait and Tackle says “I see fish taken up to 13lbs.” Most fish caught are good eaters, 18-22-inch fish. But during the periods when the females come up the river you’ll often see much larger. Gary also “encourages all anglers to release female walleyes to preserve the sport.” The 18-22 males fry up much better anyway.
Lowry runs the local bait shop and has an excellent fishing report. Before making the drive it’s worth the time to check the local report at www.maumeetackle.net. He also provides detailed information on fishing access, techniques, local fishing pictures and gear.
So this spring when you have the itch to get out fishing, try making a trip to the Maumee River for some tasty walleye.

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Brian Miller has 20 years of experience fishing the Maumee River. Contact him at field.notes@comcast.net.