CLEVELAND, Ohio - Summer’s here, and there are a wide variety of fishing opportunities around the Buckeye State, especially in the Cleveland area. Many put off getting back into a fishing mode or picking up a rod and reel for the first time because that requires purchasing an Ohio fishing license.
To ignore that speed bump, the Ohio Division of Wildlife will allow Ohio residents who are 16 or older to wet a line on Friday and Saturday, June 15-16, without first having to buy a fishing license.
Kids under 16 don’t need one.
“These Free Fishing Days allow anglers of all ages and skill levels to enjoy Ohio’s rivers, lakes and streams together,” said Director Mary Mertz of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. ”And perhaps find out or remember how much fun it is.”
The special days are designed to encourage those who have never gone fishing in the Buckeye State, or haven’t enjoyed the sport recently, to wet a line again. The fishing opportunities around Northern Ohio are endless, from bank fishing with the kids to join friends heading out on boats or booking fishing charters on the productive Lake Erie waters.
The Cleveland Metroparks reports plenty of stocked channel catfish and rainbow trout are available to catch. That includes Wallace Lake in Berea and the Ohio & Erie Canal ponds in Cuyahoga Heights, which recently hosted the Children’s Fishing Derbies.
Wildlife officials have suggestions for this weekend:
- Keep it simple to accommodate an angler’s age and skill levels.
- Pick a location that encourages angling success.
- Live bait fishing increases the odds, and entertains young anglers.
- Bring snacks and take photos as reminders of the fun.
- Fishing can be unpredictable. Be patient. Have fun!
Weather warnings: The fishing weather should be very good this weekend, with mild and variable winds and typical summer temperatures. Western Lake Erie anglers should focus on southerly winds that keep mayflies from inundating the Ohio shoreline. If midges are expected, don’t wear white clothing that attracts them.
A heat wave is expected next week, so remember heavy-duty sunscreen, sunglasses, long pans and long-sleeved shirts, hats, and put a lot of water in the cooler and stay hydrated.
Mayfly madness!: Mayfly Madness has been a problem for Western Lake Erie walleye fishermen, said Marc Wolfe at Fisherman’s Warehouse in downtown Port Clinton. Millions of mayflies are hatching from the muddy bottom of Lake Erie right now and dominating the food chain, slowing down the walleye fishing.
“Most years, the fish eat the mayflies and they keep the walleye around,” said Wolfe. “This year, Port Clinton has been inundated with them, and our party fishing boats have had to travel further, heading to West Sister and Middle Sister islands and north of Kelleys Island for the best fishing.”
Go east for walleye: The midge and mayfly hatches have been minimal around Central Lake Erie. They’re aggravating for anglers, but walleye catches have been good in 36 to 46 feet of water off Lorain and in 42 to 47 feet of water off Cleveland and Fairport Harbor
The schools of walleye are so plentiful that anglers are returning to popular drift, cast and catch techniques for success. While weight-forward spinners area good choice for casting, Weapon-style rigs — a 1/2- to 1-ounce sinker, swivel, 18-inch leader, No. 4 spinner blade and long-shanked No. 6 long-shanked hook and nightcrawler — have become the technique of choice.
The trolling bite for walleye has been very good, with spoons and tandem spinner rigs with nightcrawlers a top choice. Top spoon colors are blue-silver and purple-black with a copper back.
Channel cats in the rivers: The lower areas of the Lake Erie tributaries are getting a transfusion of channel catfish right now during their spawning season, with the Black, Rocky and Grand rivers producing good catches. Catfish baits range from uncooked shrimp to chicken livers, cut bait, nightcrawlers and processed baits. Fish the deep pools with a Carolina Rig.
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