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Jim Morris’ fishing report for April 22

Elmer Wagner of St. Marys caught this 7-pound northern pike last week at Grand Lake St. Marys. He was crappie fishing and caught it on a minnow. Several pike have been caught at GLSM this spring.

Contributed photo by Dan Manning Elmer Wagner of St. Marys caught this 7-pound northern pike last week at Grand Lake St. Marys. He was crappie fishing and caught it on a minnow. Several pike have been caught at GLSM this spring.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: The fish you caught

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By Jim Morris, Contributing Writer Updated 12:02 PM Thursday, April 22, 2010

Hot Spots

Indian Lake: You name the species and it has been biting. Saugeyes are in deeper water, being caught by boaters around Dream Bridge on Vib-E’s, Husky Jerks and jigs tipped with bass minnows. Crappies are hitting minnows around docks and rocks. Bluegills up to two pounds have been caught on waxworms and tiger worms in the old game reserve, around Orchard Island and at the covered bridge. Perch have been biting at Oldfield and off of Pew Island. White bass have been caught at the covered bridge. Catfish are hitting cut bait, nightcrawlers and minnows all over the lake.

Cowan Lake: With no restriction on size or numbers of crappies at Cowan Lake, the anglers have been swarming. Crappies are still deep. Look for ledges and drop-offs in front of the marina and in the coves on the north side of the lake. Bass fishermen are picking up a few on spinners and crankbaits. Most of the saugeyes caught have hit crappie minnows.

Lake Erie: Even with a cold front passing through, the walleye fishing is still going strong in Maumee Bay, around the reefs, off of Turtle Creek, around the outer buoys of the firing range and near Kelleys Island. Perch are being caught between Marblehead and Kelleys and east of Kelleys. For Lake Erie information, call 999-HOOK-FISH or visit wildohio.com.

Other Lakes

Grand Lake St. Marys: It has been a mixed bag this year with plenty of crappies, catfish, bluegills and even a few walleyes, perch and northern pike caught by anglers. Crappies have been coming up to shallow water as the temperature warms, then heading for deeper water when it turns colder. Catfish have been hitting all over on cut shad for larger cats and nightcrawlers for eating-size fish. The bluegill bite has been very good this year on waxworms and redworms.

C.J. Brown Reservoir: White bass have been caught from several spots around the lake, but most have hit minnows or white Roostertails around the marina. Most anglers are fishing for crappies near the marina and the fish-attractors near the ramp. Walleye fishing has been slow. The Boathouse Bait Shop and Fish & Game Finder magazine will sponsor a fishing derby for kids up to 15 years old on May 1 from 8-11 a.m. Sign up at the shop on the west end of the dam. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Paint Creek Lake: The lake is at summer pool and the crappies are biting. Smaller fish are in shallow water, 3-5 feet deep, while the larger fish seem to be holding at about 10 feet. Use minnows or chartreuse tubes. Fish for bass around rocks with green-pumpkin plastics. Plenty of bluegills are being caught from brush on waxworms. White bass are hitting white twisters, Roostertails and Mepps in the creek arms. Fish for saugeyes in the spillway with chartreuse twisters.

Caesar Creek Lake: Crappies are biting, but they are mostly deep, 15 feet or more. Use minnows. Bluegills are hanging around wood at the mouths of the coves about 8 feet deep. For bass, toss spinners or plastics around stickups at varying depths. Saugeye fishing has been slow.

Rocky Fork Lake: Bass fishing has been up and down with the cold fronts. Black/blue jigs or shad-colored Shad-Raps have worked best. Crappies, mostly under the 9-inch size limit, are being caught on minnows on the south side of the lake.

Acton Lake: Crappie action has picked up with many being caught off of the banks on minnows and jigs (green/lime and pumpkinseed). Bass have been hitting light-colored spinners and plastic worms fished out from shore. Fish in the tailwaters for saugeyes.

Lake Loramie: Evening has been the best time for crappie fishing. Black crappies are hanging out in the lily pads and white crappies are in the brush. They are hitting minnows and purple/pearl white jigs tipped with waxworms. Bluegills are in the brush, 16 inches down, biting on redworms and waxworms. Catfish are hitting cut shad and nightcrawlers. Bass have been going after spinnerbaits and jig-n-pig.

Walleye Run

Maumee River: With the cold front that moved in over the weekend, the walleye catch was down, but it is improving. Most of the walleye being caught are males. Anglers have been getting both walleyes and white bass. Visit maumeetackle.net or wildohio.com.

Sandusky River: Walleye fishing has been spotty. Some anglers caught limits and some did not catch any. More and more white bass are being caught each day. For walleye run information visit wildohio.com.

Outdoors columnist Jim Morris can be reached through his Web site at www.tinyurl.com/ylh2rol or by e-mail at sports@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Send us your photos

Are you proud of that big fish you or perhaps your youngster caught? The Dayton Daily News is accepting photos of local people and their prize catches. Send them to sports@DaytonDailyNews.com for a chance to be featured on Jim Morris’ fishing report.

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