Northeast Fishing Reports

Delaware Lake (Delaware County) – Crappies are active again in this lake north of Columbus. Minnows fished under a bobber around woody cover can put these fish in the boat. Crappies must be nine inches or longer to keep. Largemouth bass are also around woody cover and points. Use creature baits and spinnerbaits to catch these fish. A large population of channel catfish can be caught on shrimp, cut baits, and chicken livers.

Alum Creek Lake (Delaware County) – As water temperatures decrease, the crappie bite has increased. Use a jig and minnows in and along woody cover or in water six feet or less in coves. Smallmouth bass are being caught off points in the southern basin and along the east shore of the middle basin. The fall saugeye bite will start after the water temperature falls closer to 60 degrees. Troll crankbaits and worm harnesses just off the bottom in the evening for best results.

Indian Lake (Logan County) – Saugeyes should start to be caught along the south bank and around the Moundwood and Dream Bridge areas as water temperatures decrease. Try using crankbaits and worm harnesses trolled near the bottom. Vertical jigging around the bridges is also productive for saugeyes. Anglers are catching largemouth bass in the canals around cover with buzz baits and tubes. Bluegills are still being caught in the channels on waxworms and nightcrawlers. Crappies are moving into channels, coves, and any remaining lily pads. Use minnows and jigs around any cover in these areas.

Deer Creek Lake (Fayette, Pickaway counties) – Cool water temperatures have fish more active. For crappies, target woody cover in the coves and shallower water. Try minnows or jigs suspended under a bobber. Largemouth bass can be caught on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and plastics. Try fishing points and concentrations of gizzard shad. White bass are active around Tick Ridge. Look for fish breaking the water surface as they chase gizzard shad using spinners and jigs.

Rush Creek Lake (Fairfield County) – Channel catfish can be caught in this lake east of Lancaster. Use cut shad, shrimp, or nightcrawlers fished in the east or south ends for best results. Bluegills are providing some action around cover in the east end. Use waxworms or red worms fished under a bobber. Crappie action is picking up. Use minnows or jigs suspended by a bobber around woody cover. There is a 10-horsepower limit on the lake.

Kiser Lake (Champaign County) – This 394-acre lake in Champaign County is perfect for a quiet day on the water since no motors are allowed. The lake has a good population of largemouth bass; try plastics, light colored spinnerbaits, and crankbaits along the lily pads or in cover on the north side of the lake. Crappies will become more active as the water cools this fall. Fishing with minnows in the old creek channel, along the lily pads, or around woody cover is best. Bluegills are also being taken around aquatic vegetation and cover using waxworms and red worms.

Northwest Region

Pleasant Hill Reservoir (Richland-Ashland county line) – Good numbers of crappies from nine to 10 inches can be found. Try fishing with minnows under a slip bobber in eight to 12 feet of water near submerged trees. The lake also has excellent populations of largemouth bass, saugeye, and yellow perch. For saugeye, trolling a jointed 21⁄2-inch, 1⁄4-ounce lure about 10 to 15 feet deep is usually very effective. At nighttime, try trolling in 10 to 15 feet of water in front of the beach with a jig tipped with a live minnow. Smallmouth bass can be caught in the deeper, lower end of the reservoir while more largemouth bass are caught in the shallower upper end of the lake.

Paulding Reservoir (Paulding County) – Located at Reservoir Park in the village of Paulding, this reservoir provides good opportunities for anglers pursuing bluegills this time of year. Try using nightcrawlers or waxworms on slip bobbers set to five- to six-feet deep during the mornings and evenings anywhere in the reservoir. Only boats 16 feet or less may be used. Electric motors may be used, but no gasoline engines are allowed. A lifetime “boat license” is required from the Village of Paulding.

Upper Sandusky Reservoir #2 (Wyandot County) – The shoreline of this reservoir consists of rocks, a wetland shelf, and sand beach area, which all provide a lot of cover for largemouth bass. Try fishing along the west side as well as in the standing timber. Bluegills have also been biting recently. Try using shrimp or bits of nightcrawlers.

Willard Reservoir (Huron County) – Walleyes should be biting now. As the water temperature begins to cool, fish for walleyes along the contour breaks located throughout the reservoir. Try casting diving crankbaits and jigs with minnows or vertical jigging blade bits. Yellow perch are usually found in the same areas as walleyes. The best baits for open water fishing are minnows and worms. There is a boat ramp available, but only electric motors may be used. A boat permit must be obtained from the city of Willard at city hall.

Auglaize River (Paulding County) – Anglers have been catching channel catfish and crappies in the river over the past couple of weeks. For crappies, try fishing four- to six-feet deep using crappie rigs or crappie jigs tipped with minnows. The best successes have come in the mornings and evenings.

Killdeer Plains Reservoir (Wyandot County) – Located 10 miles southwest of Upper Sandusky along State Route 67, Killdeer Reservoir features a floating boat ramp and 241 acres of fishable water. Smallmouth bass should be biting again this month. Overcast mornings and evenings usually produce the best results. Try fishing the rocks along the island and the south shore, as well as the reefs. Cast the shoreline using crayfish, crankbaits, or soft baits. There is a 10-horsepower limit on the reservoir.

Van Wert Reservoirs #1 and #2 (Van Wert County) – These two reservoirs are located on State Route 127 at the south edge of the city of Van Wert. Anglers should have success catching sunfish at Van Wert Reservoir #1. Anglers should try using waxworms under a slip bobber set to seven feet during the mornings and evenings. Try fishing along the southeast bank. Bass anglers should head over to Van Wert Reservoir #2. Try casting crankbaits around structure from a boat. Boats are permitted on both reservoirs; however, no boat ramps are available. Boats must obtain a permit from the city of Van Wert.

Northeast Region

Tappan Lake (Harrison County) – This 2, 131-acre lake is known for its excellent fishery. A wide variety of fish species can be caught, including crappies, largemouth bass, bluegills, channel catfish, white bass, and saugeyes. Fall fishing in this lake should not be ignored. The scenery is beautiful as the leaves morph into rich autumn colors.