I would suggest your first stop be maumee bait and tackles website. They explain most of what you need to know. Other than that, fire away with the questions! I'm sure we can get you squared away.

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Yea it's not really anyone's honey hole there are 1000 people up there on any 1 day so most people are helpful on here. I believe there is a thread from not very long ago with a ton of good information. I would search for it and ask whatever questions you have.

 

Do you have to wade the Maumee or can I bring my boat? When is it? How long does it last typically?
I have heard its "always" two weeks before the white bass run at Freemont which is the second week in May.


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People do boat, but it can be dangerous if you don't know the river. Early April is usually an average peak. Duration varies I would say most would say two months. The vast majority of people call it quits by the first week in may. The earliest reports of fish are usually around early march.

The Maumee in the spring can be a nasty mistress. Spring flooding is pretty common.

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If its your first time on the river you might want to consider wading. Maybe fish the morning and if you limit then go scout the afternoon and see how other guys are securing their rigs in the river. There are also a lot of special regulations and if you dont follow them or just make a mistake you will be ticketed as there are tons of DNR officers there during the run. It's really a good time though and plenty of fish to be caught. A lot of access points and you fish different parts of the river depending on water level. Carolina rig with a floater and twister is the most popular method but some people still use lead.

 

When I was a kid we would go up with some of my dads coworkers and we would all take boats and go down river where there wasn't as many people then get out and wade and just tie the boat to the bank. It's alot if fun. Make sire u no the rule s cuz they are plenty of officers watching your every move. And if I remove right lots of snags sui we would bring extra spools for our reels and extra line. Not that I think about it I might have to take that trip this year again. It's been 15 years. Lol

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When I was a kid we would go up with some of my dads coworkers and we would all take boats and go down river where there wasn't as many people then get out and wade and just tie the boat to the bank. It's alot if fun. Make sire u no the rule s cuz they are plenty of officers watching your every move. And if I remove right lots of snags sui we would bring extra spools for our reels and extra line. Not that I think about it I might have to take that trip this year again. It's been 15 years. Lol

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If you needed extra spools of line, I'd almost have to guess that when you got hung up you'd just cut the line. That's not a very good idea, it just creates more snags. I've fished the run for quite a few years now and have never come close to running out of line on my reel.
OP, use a braided main line with a lighter mono or flouro leader. Many guys will use trolling weights between leader and main line. This way when you get hung up you'll just lose your leader and not a bunch of expensive braided line. It keeps the costs down and the river a little cleaner. I would also have your jigs and leaders pre tied, before you get out there.

 

I would help more if I could but I don't remember the names of the best places to fish. but there is a little island on the west side of the city that's a good place to fish. you have to wade out and cross the island then find a place to get in line. you have to get there early or wait for someone to leave. you can use jigs with mister twisters or you can use Carolina rigs with floating jigs and mister twisters. you want just enough weight to cast out across the current and just bump bottom as your rig drifts down stream then reel in slow always be ready to set the hook if you get hit. you do get hung up this way and you get tangled lines with other fisherman. you will have a hard time telling the bottom from hits so you will set the hook a few times when its the bottom and not fish hitting. you will foul hook some fish, don't keep any foul hooked fish. this is fishing shoulder to shoulder so just watch what others are doing and try to fish with the crowd.

there is also a little park downtown that can be a good spot. I have done good both places. and you can try any place you can get access to the river between the island and the park.

there are 2 places that I know of to launch a boat. 1 is just above the island but you really need to be careful going down the river to fish below the island. you cant use a boat at the island because there are to many waders. the second 1 is just across the river from the little park. there is plenty of room in this area to fish from a boat. just make sure you anchor far enough out to not bother the bank fisherman or you may get hit by there jigs.

it can be a fun place to fish but it is always crowded when there is fish there. I always liked to fish from about the middle of march until about the 3rd week in april. but this can vary because of weather and water levels.

just follow all the rules and have fun.
sherman

 

If you do a search on the walleye run you will get a very good idea of when and where the fishing takes place. River levels will help you decide where to fish. Most fish down stream when the flow is high. When the flow drops they move upstream to fish. Look up a map online so you have a good idea of whete people are refering to from past posts. The general area of the main run is from new orleans park to jerome road. Take notes of where people caught fish in relationship to the water level and take notes. This will cut out alot of wasted time when you make it up here to fish.

 

It's a real long read but I did a walleye run overview on my blog;

http://coolwaterfish.com/the-walleye-run/

Many people around this site have fished it a long time, just ask any question and I'm sure it will get answered.

 

The walleye run is awesome! JM Steele gave you good advice earlier. Another method is using round leadheads ranging up to 3/4 oz in size during high water. A sharp, strong non-barbed hook works great because snagged fish won't get gouged as bad during hook removal and throwback. Also, if you wade, be sure to wear a belt for safety. I have run a blog for several years that will tell you depth, fishing conditions, and techniques. See walleyerun.blogspot.com for daily updates. Good luck!

Dr. Walleye

 

If you needed extra spools of line, I'd almost have to guess that when you got hung up you'd just cut the line. That's not a very good idea, it just creates more snags. I've fished the run for quite a few years now and have never come close to running out of line on my reel.
OP, use a braided main line with a lighter mono or flouro leader. Many guys will use trolling weights between leader and main line. This way when you get hung up you'll just lose your leader and not a bunch of expensive braided line. It keeps the costs down and the river a little cleaner. I would also have your jigs and leaders pre tied, before you get out there.

Nope never cut a line but got hung up alot and the line would break. We were just using regular mono.

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I'll second MudKings' comment. When I use monofilament I often break off my line, and it's usually at the knot. It's going to happen.

 

Thanks for all of the good info... I think I'll make a scouting trip up there in the next few weeks to find a boat launch. If wading is the only thing that ends up working then waders will become plan B. The thought of being elbow to elbow with guys doesn't seem appealing. The constant worry about crossing someone's line drives me nuts. I'd rather not have to even think about dealing with some of the uptight "hardcore fisherman" who are out.
It's certainly worth a drive up to see what's what!


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Thanks for all of the good info... I think I'll make a scouting trip up there in the next few weeks to find a boat launch. If wading is the only thing that ends up working then waders will become plan B. The thought of being elbow to elbow with guys doesn't seem appealing. The constant worry about crossing someone's line drives me nuts. I'd rather not have to even think about dealing with some of the uptight "hardcore fisherman" who are out.
It's certainly worth a drive up to see what's what!


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The shoulder to shoulder thing isn't that bad. I've had very few bad experiences out there. I've met and talked to far more good people out there, than "uptight hardcore fishermen". As far as crossing the line of the guy next to you, it's all about timing. You just have to pay attention to the people around you and it pretty easy to avoid.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about crossing people's lines. Like said you just have to pay attention and time it right. For the most part guys get along. But you're pretty much going to get crossed with someone's line along the way. It happens. Just go out and catch some fish. Pack light, what you can fit in your waders. A landing net, small tackle box, extra spool of line for leaders, and a stringer or chain. It can be a blast, a limit of fish is always a possibility. Don't take snagged fish!

 

I wouldn't worry too much about crossing people's lines. Like said you just have to pay attention and time it right. For the most part guys get along. But you're pretty much going to get crossed with someone's line along the way. It happens. Just go out and catch some fish. Pack light, what you can fit in your waders. A landing net, small tackle box, extra spool of line for leaders, and a stringer or chain. It can be a blast, a limit of fish is always a possibility. Don't take snagged fish!

This info is consistent with my experiences. Sure you snag, tangle, and get crossed. However, the ONLY time I have seen any issues is when people lack any fishing skills and appear to be crossing others on purpose, lack any common courtesy, or try to muscle their way into a spot already taken.

The DNR officers are no joke, don't try to get away with anything. People get away with a lot but usually not for long, if at all. The DNR officers will do anything from a ticket to confiscating your gear (which you will not get back). If you get nasty with them or be one a repeat offender they can take anything related to the crime including your boat, your car/truck, and anything else they deem part of the offense.

All in all if you have common courtesy and try to get along with others you WILL have a blast at the run! So long as they're biting!

Mr. A

 

Thanks for all of the good info... I think I'll make a scouting trip up there in the next few weeks to find a boat launch. If wading is the only thing that ends up working then waders will become plan B. The thought of being elbow to elbow with guys doesn't seem appealing. The constant worry about crossing someone's line drives me nuts. I'd rather not have to even think about dealing with some of the uptight "hardcore fisherman" who are out.
It's certainly worth a drive up to see what's what!


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the trip up scouting is a good idea. but take a rod up with you as you may decide to try your luck.

the 1st trip I made we went to the little park and they were really catching fish. and we didn't have any rods. but we watched these 3 guys bringing there limit of fish to there car, and when they opened there trunk about 4 or 5 dnr guys walk up and get them for catching to many fish. it seems they had caught 1 limit and put them in the trunk and went back and caught another limit.

be sure and check out Maumee bait and tackle. they are good people.

and you can fish from the little park without waders. good luck have fun and catch fish. and just use enough weight on your rigs to get you down and bump the bottom every so often. if you go to heavy you will just stay hung up on the bottom.
sherman

 

I agree with Sherman, check out maimed tackle's website. They keep a du.bing daily log that will help maximize your efforts!

Tight lines to all!

Mr. A

 

Boat launches are under the 475 bridge and at Orleans Park. You must be very careful as to where you navigate due to the large numbers of anglers. Most guys that launch at Orleans will go downstream and across the river. No waders there. Launching at the bridge will give you access all the way from the tip of Bluegrass Island to just downstream of the Jerome Road rapids. Exactly where you can go will depend largely on water depth at the time. One rule that you absolutely MUST NEVER VIOLATE is to NEVER anchor off the stern. Most drownings occur when that rule is broken!

 

Come on Spring!

 

Walleye run sucks I stick to crappie fishing way better and more to many idiots out there not knowing how. To fish

 

I saw someone post about a non-barbed hook..... NO WAY! Use normal hooks. The fishing is good, but not so good that I want to give up fish. My advice is PATIENCE. It may seem like everyone catches fish all the time by reading posts. That just isn't the case. Sometime you have to grind out the fish.

 

You can't call that stone path to the river "a launch" under the 475 bridge...and I wouldn't call the launch at Orleans a "launch" either. It's a concrete path to the water...nothing more, nothing less. Any water level below 581 and you are hitting rocks 50 yards from the Orleans park launch. There is no dock at 475 or at Orleans.

Best place to launch a boat is Maple Street in Perrysburg. Launching a boat in a river that is moving as fast at the Maumee is very different than anything you likely have done. Plan accordingly...and you'll need a big anchor with lots of rode.

Fishing from a boat ain't all its cracked up to seem anymore. There are more boats down there now than I can ever remember. I used to be a 90% boat guy but now I am a 95% on foot guy.

It's a frickin' zoo bro, that is the best way I can describe it. There are days it can be fun, but I'd wager that those days are outweighed by those days where I walk away frustrated. So very many make it seem that the river is a "slam dunk" limit every time. It's not...trust me.

Enjoy your trip up to the river. Be safe, and I hope you get into some fish.

 

You can't call that stone path to the river "a launch" under the 475 bridge...and I wouldn't call the launch at Orleans a "launch" either. It's a concrete path to the water...nothing more, nothing less. Any water level below 581 and you are hitting rocks 50 yards from the Orleans park launch. There is no dock at 475 or at Orleans.

Best place to launch a boat is Maple Street in Perrysburg. Launching a boat in a river that is moving as fast at the Maumee is very different than anything you likely have done. Plan accordingly...and you'll need a big anchor with lots of rode.

Fishing from a boat ain't all its cracked up to seem anymore. There are more boats down there now than I can ever remember. I used to be a 90% boat guy but now I am a 95% on foot guy.

It's a frickin' zoo bro, that is the best way I can describe it. There are days it can be fun, but I'd wager that those days are outweighed by those days where I walk away frustrated. So very many make it seem that the river is a "slam dunk" limit every time. It's not...trust me.

Enjoy your trip up to the river. Be safe, and I hope you get into some fish.

Its gotten a lot tougher than say, 5 years ago. There's just so much more info out there and everybody can do it. I find myself grinding out limits a lot more often now rather than a 10 cast limit a few times a week