What do bass eat in Ohio?


Sharing is Caring


They are found in nearly every lake, reservoir, and pond in Ohio. However, in flowing streams and rivers largemouth bass are typically out numbered by smallmouth bass and in southern Ohio spotted bass. Its diet typically consists of frogs, crayfish, large insects, and other fish.

How do you fish for bass in the Ohio River?

The best time to catch largemouth bass in the main river is June through the fall. When fishing the embayments in the spring try shallow running crank baits, plastic worms and spinner baits fished slowly. As the water warms, try fishing the creek mouths with jig and pigs, deep running crank baits and jigging spoons.

What is the best bait to use on the Ohio River?

In faster water (Ohio River tailwaters) use heavy spoons and jigs. In less current use imitation minnow baits and other crankbaits.

What is the best lure for bass in Ohio?

  • Swim jigs โ€“ Swim jigs work well around structure and vegetation, exactly where bass will be lurking.
  • Spinnerbaits โ€“ Spinnerbaits put off a ton of vibration and flash to catch a feeding largemouth’s attention.

What is the best bait for river bass?

A top lure for river bass is a soft plastic crawfish either Texas-rigged on a worm hook or attached to a lightweight jig. Heavier jigs tend to fall to the bottom whereas a lightweight model or a light sinker on the Texas rig is swept by the current right in front of a bass’ nose.

What’s the biggest fish in the Ohio River?

Massive 95-pound catfish ‘by far the largest’ trophy fish caught by these Kentucky men. Michael Robinson and Terry Raymer have made an annual tradition of catching massive fish on the Ohio River, but their latest snag is a personal best.

Where is the best place to fish in the Ohio River?

According to locals, the most bountiful spots to fish are the Cluster Islands, the mouths of the Muskingum River, Fishing Creek, Dam #21, the New Cumberland Dam, and the Byrd Dam. Almost all Ohio River favorites can be found in WV’s waters.

Can you fish the WV side of the Ohio River with an Ohio license?

Anglers with a valid Ohio resident or West Virginia resident fishing license may fish on the Ohio River, its embayments or from either bank.

What is the best time to fish a river?

  • One hour before and one hour after high tides, and one hour before and one hour after low tides.
  • During the “morning rise” (after sunup for a spell) and the “evening rise” (just before sundown and the hour or so after).
  • During the rise and set of the Moon.
  • When the barometer is steady or on the rise.

Are there sharks in the Ohio River?

There have been no reports of sharks caught from the Ohio River since I did a story 39 years ago on three young fishermen catching one from the river near Portsmouth.

What colors can bass see?

Bass apparently do see color. Their vision is strongest in the areas of medium-red to green. It fails rapidly moving into the blues and purples, as it does towards the far reds. If our picture of bass color vision is accurate, then color is meaningful to bass in some cases but not others.

Where is the best bass fishing in Ohio?

The top three destinations for Fish Ohio largemouth bass are Portage Lakes (Summit County), Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area (Muskingum, Morgan, Guernsey, and Noble counties), and Alum Creek Lake (Delaware County).

Where do bass hide in rivers?

In the rivers and streams that I was fishing, one will find a lot of structures underneath the water. Things like trees, old logs, and rock ledges provide excellent cover for bass to hide under until the current brings food by them.

What time of day are bass most active?

During most of the year, early mornings and late afternoons are the best times of year to catch largemouth bass. Specifically, 2 to 3 hours after sunrise and before sunset are the times largemouth bass will be most active.

How do you fish for bass in a river?

YouTube video

What is the biggest bass caught in Ohio?

On the evening of May 26, 1976, Roy Landsberger hooked and landed a 13.13-pound largemouth bass from a small pond in Northeast Ohio. To date, it is the largest bass ever recorded in Ohio’s history.

What is the biggest catfish found in Ohio River?

Catfish Fishing Tailwaters yield the most fish, but warm water discharges, stream confluences and gravel flats near deep water are proven producers of big cats. The largest catfish caught on the Ohio River weighed 106.9 pounds, caught by Glynn Grogan in 2018.

Are there Muskie in the Ohio River?

There are also some breeding populations of muskie in Lake Erie, the Ohio River and the Muskingum, Scioto and Grand rivers, said Curtis Wagner, fisheries management supervisor for DOW District 3, which covers 19 counties in Northeast Ohio.

Can I fish anywhere on the Ohio River?

An agreement between Indiana and Kentucky allows that each state will recognize the fishing license issued by the other state on the main stem of the Ohio River, excluding embayments and tributaries. This means anglers can fish the Ohio River bank to bank with a license issued by either state.

Can you eat fish from the Ohio River?

While you can eat fish from the Ohio River, the ORFA and Ohio EPA both recommend you don’t do it more than once a month for most species. The amount drops for children and women of child-bearing age. So, if you’re worried about pollutants in the fish caught from a contaminated river, you’re RIGHT.

Are treble hooks illegal in Ohio?

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain in excess of fifty set or bank lines, or attach more than one single hook to any one line. Treble hooks are unlawful.

How many hooks can you use in Ohio?

Anglers may use up to three hooks on each line, except as provided in the Ohio Administrative Code.

How many rods can you fish with in Ohio?

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to engage in fishing with more than two hand lines or more than two units of rod and line or a combination of more than one hand line and one rod and line, either in hand or under control.

How do you find bass in a river?

Prime examples include sparse rocks lying along a mud bank, a water fall or a partially submerged drain pipe. These areas usually hold concentrations of bass. If the current on the river is weak, try the main channel, because baitfish will move into the river followed by schooling bass.

Where do fish hang out in rivers?

Undercut banks, eddies, sunken trees, rocks and overhanging trees and bushes provide protection from the current and above-water predators (such as birds). Feeding places include the outside of bends, merging currents, drop-offs, feeder brooks and springs.

Craving More Content?

Safe Harbor Fishing