LINK TO THE WALLEYE/WHITE BASS RIVER RUN REPORT

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River Spawning of White Bass

White bass migrate up most of the Western Basin tributaries from Lake Erie each year to spawn.  The Sandusky, Maumee, and Portage rivers typically have the most white bass moving up in the spring.  White bass may be found in the rivers from mid-April, toward the end of the walleye spawning run, through early June.  The peak of the run is usually some time in mid-May when water temperatures reach around 55 degrees F.  The Maumee and Sandusky Rivers usually have the best fishing for white bass, but some years the Portage and Huron rivers also have good runs.

Predictions for 2013

The 2013 white bass spawning runs up these rivers are expected to be good, if river conditions are good.  The majority of white bass will range from 8 to 13 inches in size.  Most of these fish will be from the strong 2007 year class, with the 2009, 2006, and 2005 year classes also contributing.  Some larger white bass, up to 16 inches from the 2003 year class, will be caught.

Fishing Tips

The best fishing area for the Maumee River is from the Conant Street Bridge, in the city of Maumee, upstream to the end of Jerome Road, in Wood County, and below the Grand Rapids-Providence Dam in Lucas County.  In the Sandusky River, the best fishing area is from the State Street Bridge in Fremont, upstream to the Ballville Dam; however, the area on the Sandusky River from the Ballville Dam to the Toledo Edison power line (Old Ballville and Fifth Street line) located at the southeast corner of Roger Young Park (in the City of Fremont) is closed to all fishing from March 1 to May 1.  In the Portage River, the best area is generally from just above Oak Harbor to the entrance of Sugar Creek.  In the Huron River, try fishing from Mason Road to the Ohio Turnpike.

Most anglers fish the rivers by wading, or fishing from shore. Small boats are sometimes used in both rivers.  Boat ramps are available on the Sandusky River just north of the State Street Bridge in Fremont, and on the Maumee River at the foot of Maple Street in Perrysburg and at Orleans Park also in Perrysburg. Caution is strongly recommended in both rivers as they are often high in the early spring and quite treacherous.

The best baits for white bass are floating jigs tipped with a minnow or 1/8 and 1/4 oz. lead-head jigs (size depends on river flow, in lower flow use lighter lead) tipped with white, yellow or fluorescent colored twister tails.  Small silver-colored spinners and spoons may also catch white bass.  Small minnows are sometimes effective, especially when white white bass are biting slowly.

Important Phone Numbers

For fishing report information call:  800-WILDLIFE, 800-BUCKEYE, 888-HOOKFISH, or
call Wildlife District Two at 419-424-5000.
 
For local information call:
For the Maumee River call the Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce   419-874-9147
For the Sandusky River call the Sandusky County Visitors Bureau  419-332-4470 .

Regulations

(See also the 2012-2013 Fishing Regulations)

There is no daily bag or size limit on white bass.  White bass taken by angling may not be sold.  There are special restrictions on fishing times and hook size from March 1 to May 1.  After May 1, there are no time or hook restrictions.

Call 1-800-POACHER to report violations anonymously or report violations online.