Author: Daniel Eggertsen
To catch Walleye fish on the Sandusky River, you have to understand how walleyes breed, when they appear, and the legal and other rules of fishing in this river, because Walleyes are not as numerous as other species of fish. Also some tips are here to help you catch Walleye fish.
Walleye fish swim along the Maumee and Sandusky rivers all year long, but their numbers are somewhat low except during the spawning time in the spring. This is because the three tributaries that come from Lake Erie lead into the Sandusky River, carrying a flood of Walleye fish with it. Several factors cause the spawning run such as the water temperature, flow of the river, and the current daylight hours. Usually the Walleye spawning happens during March and April, the highest point of this being the first two weeks of April. The spawning occurs when the water temperatures are between 42 and 53 degrees Fahrenheit, and high flows in the river will also bring more Walleyes to the area. High river flows will also increase the number of walleyes especially if Lake Erie is cooler than the river.
Walleye, thus for in 2008 have been particularly abundant in the Sandusky River, as well as the Maumee. The females have come up the river a second time for spawning, and since Walleye fish do not stop growing, they have reached 2 feet in length. The males are slightly shorter, at 20 inches.
When looking for the best place to catch Walleye fish on the Sandusky River, check in between Brady's Island and Rodger Young Park, in Fremont.
Many anglers wade in the river to fish, or do so from shore at this time of year, because the Walleye fish are not so deep or far out that they require a boat to get to. Some fishermen do use boats though cartop boats and trailered boats mainly, depending on the size. If you decide to use a boat, there are boat ramps on the Sandusky River slightly north of the State Street Bridge in Fremont, and also there is one on the Maumee River at the foot of Maple Street in Perrysburg, as well as another one in Orleans Park in Perrysburg. Be cautious though, in both rivers in the early spring the rivers are high and quick-flowing, and can capsize the boat. The best baits for walleye are floating jigs that are tipped with white, yellow or fluorescent colored plastic tails; they are attracted to bright colors, and you can buy these lures at bait stands set up along the Maumee.
Walleye cannot be taken from the river if they are less than 15 inches long, according to the fishing laws there. This applies to Lake Erie, the two rivers and all the tributaries that lead up to the first dam. You are allowed to take at most four fish in a combination of Walleye, Saugeye and Sauger fish. This applies in the latter parts of March and through April and somewhat into May. In May, this limit is raised to six of these fish within Lake Erie.
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