Fishing in Ohio in September
- Crappie, large and small-mouth bass, sauger and steelhead trout are all available in "good" to "excellent" numbers in the month of September, according to the ODNR. Crappie are smaller fish that average 13 inches in Ohio. They are one of the easiest fish in the state to catch, which makes them a popular target for kids and others new to fishing. Large-mouth bass are Ohio's "most-popular fish," according to the ODNR. They average 21 inches and can be found by cover in muddy waters. Small-mouth bass in Ohio are typically 20 inches; they are known for their fight and above-water acrobatics. Look for them in pools around cover. Sauger can be found in large numbers at select locations in the state. They average 16 inches and feature numerous sharp teeth, so anglers must be careful when handling them.
- Different fish can be targeted with specific tackle; however, a versatile rod is a 7 1/2- to 9 1/2-foot medium-action spin rod. Rig it with 4- to 12-lb. test line, depending on the size of fish you are trying to catch; for crappie, 4-lb. line will do, but larger steelhead will require heavier line.
Attach a fluorocarbon leader to protect your line when fishing for sauger or steelhead, or when you are casting in or around rough rocks. Minnows are a popular bait for crappie. Lizard or tube baits in shad tones, white spinner baits and shallow diving crankbaits will be effective for large-mouth bass; crayfish, spinners, tubes and jigs in lighter colors will help you catch small-mouth bass. Sauger can be caught with bottom-bouncing pencil weights tied above jigs, and steelhead can be hooked with maggots, minnows and eggs, as well as various fly patterns. - In Central Ohio, Delaware Lake, Knox Lake and the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir hold many of these fish. The Pleasant Hill and Clear Fork Reservoirs can be effective places to fish in Northwest Ohio. In Northeast Ohio, La Duc Reservoir, Lake Milton, Berlin Lake, Mosquito Creek and Pymatuning Lake are large bodies of water that will hold these fish. Piedmont and Belmont Lake are among the fishing sites available in Southeast Ohio, and Cowen Lake and East Fork Lake are available for fishing in the state's Southwest. The tributaries of Lake Erie including Vermilion River, Chagrin River, Rocky River, Conneaut Creek and Grand River are stocked with more than 400,000 steelhead on an annual basis and are known to be effective places to fish the species. The Ohio River is the place to go for sauger.
- Use smaller hooks (sizes 4, 6 and 8) when targeting crappie; too large a hook will be ineffective. Use bobbers to help you navigate the waters where large- and small-mouth bass like to swim; there is likely to be lots of debris which can make casting and retrieving challenging. Present baits for steelhead at or very near the bottom of rivers over gravel or rocky bottoms. In the Ohio River, look for sauger at lock and dam tailwaters; handle them with needle-nose pliers to avoid their sharp teeth.
- Fishing in Ohio requires a state fishing license if you are 16 years of age or older. A license for the 2010/2011 season costs residents $19 and nonresidents $40. A three-day nonresident license is $19. Special bag limits, size restrictions and gear restrictions exist for many of the state's waters including Lake Erie and its tributaries. Where special regulations do not exist, statewide daily bag limits allow anglers to catch and keep five bass, five trout and six sauger per day; there is no limit on the number of crappie you may harvest.
