Jim Morris’ fishing report for April 8 Dayton OH

Hot spots

Cowan Lake: Crappies, crappies and more crappies. Anglers are filling the parking lot at South Shore Marina. Cowan is one of the few lakes with no size limit, so it seems to be attracting more anglers. And, interestingly, a number of crappies in the 10- to 12-inch range are being caught. Use minnows and fish the dropoff in front of the marina, fish the north side around wood and try the sailboat cove. Fishing for channel cats has been good on the east end of the lake, mostly with nightcrawlers. Several saugeyes have been caught by crappie fishermen using minnows.

Indian Lake: Saugeye fishing is still going strong, but now the crappies have turned on. Anglers are getting saugeyes mostly from boats around the donut harbor, off of the south bank and around Dream Bridge. They are using jigs tipped with bass minnows and vibrating or rattle baits. Crappies have been hitting minnows, jigs and waxworms in shallow water, 1-2 feet deep. They are also around the lily pads. Plenty of catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers and cut bait.

Other lakes

Grand Lake St. Marys: Crappie fishing has improved, but it's more difficult this year with the new 9-inch size limit. Plenty of 8-inchers are being caught and going back in the lake for future fishermen to catch. Fish shallow on sunny days and about 4 feet deep on cloudy days. Catfish are still biting on cut bait and nightcrawlers. Bluegills have been hitting waxworms around docks.

C.J. Brown Reservoir: Walleyes up to 6 pounds have been caught in the spillway. They are also being caught over the old roadbed on Vib-E's and jigs tipped with bass minnows. Keeper crappies are being caught in and around the marina on minnows and waxworms. You are likely to get a yellow perch while you are fishing for crappies. Fish the north end of the lake with nightcrawlers to catch catfish.

Clark Lake: Anglers continue to catch the stocked rainbow trout on Power Baits, waxworms and small spinners.

Paint Creek: Crappie fishing has been fair, which is pretty good considering the Army Corps of Engineers dropped the lake to winter pool last week so work could be done on new docks. It should be back at summer pool this weekend with all ramps open. The best crappie fishing has been just off the banks on the north end of the lake. They have been hitting minnows and black/chartreuse or blue/chartreuse jigs. Bass have been hitting jig-n-pig off of the rocky points. Spillway for fishing for saugeyes, catfish, crappies and bluegills has been very good.

Rocky Fork: Bass fishing has been very good. Use crankbaits or jigs and work the points. Crappie fishing has been fair, but saugeye fishing has been slow. A few bluegills have been caught on waxworms in the coves. Anglers are still catching stocked rainbow trout in an area near the docks at the campground. Use Power Baits, waxworms, Roostertails or Mepps.

Lake Loramie: Crappie fishing has been good with most being caught in brush near the banks on minnows and jigs. Pearl white has worked best on sunny days, black or purple on cloudy days. Saugeye fishing in the creek has been slower, but should improve when rain fills it up again. Plenty of catfish have been caught on nightcrawlers and tiger worms. Bluegill fishing is just getting started. Bass have been caught on crankbaits and spinners around wood near the banks.

Caesar Creek Lake: Once the Army Corps of Engineers settles on a water level, the fishing should improve. Crappies are in brush, but deep, probably 10 to 15 feet. Saugeyes have been hitting jigs tipped with bass minnows on the flats and in shallow water around the Wellman ramp. The north pool ramp will be closed for the next month due to restroom construction.

Acton Lake: Fish for crappies in shallow water with minnows. About 40 percent have been keepers (9 inches or larger). Saugeye fishing has been slow. A few bass have been caught on jig-n-pig. For catfish, use nightcrawlers, cut bait or bass minnows.

Rush Run Lake: They are still catching stocked rainbow trout on waxworms, inline spinners and Power Bait. Catfish have been hitting nightcrawlers and cut shad.

Maumee River: With water levels back to normal in clearing water, the walleye fishing has been excellent. The best areas have been Bluegrass Island, Buttonwood and up river to Jerome Road. Floating jig heads and brightly colored twisters and jigs have worked best. For Maumee River information, visit maumeetackle.net or wildohio.com.

Sandusky River: The run is close to its peak with outstanding fishing for walleyes reported. For information, visit wildohio.com.

Lake Erie: Walleye fishing has been outstanding near shore in the Turtle Creek area, around all of the reefs in the Camp Perry Range and all over Maumee Bay. Use jigs tipped with shiners fished close to the bottom. For Lake Erie information, visit wildohio.com or call (888) HOOK-FISH.

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

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