PERRYSBURG – Anglers itching at a shot to catch their limit of walleye are having to wait a little longer
than usual this year.
Cold temperatures and high water levels have delayed the annual walleye run on the Maumee and Sandusky
rivers, which usually draws a large number of fisherfolk to the waters to try their luck.
"Obviously, everything’s a little behind because of all the ice we’ve had," said John Windau,
communications specialist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
"Last week anglers were able to get into the river and start catching a few, but with the rains the
river’s back up and it’s somewhat fishable, but it’s pretty difficult to fish right now."
Indeed, the Maumee was expected to reach minor flood stage again on Monday after a bout of rain. Over the
weekend, the river reached moderate flood stage – near 17.5 feet – at Grand Rapids, submerging portions
of Mary Jane Thurstin State Park.
Prime fishing areas during the run usually include the Orleans Park area, just east of the
Maumee-Perrysburg bridge.
The walleye run is created when hundreds of thousands of the fish move out of Lake Erie into local
waterways to spawn in the warming waters. During the mating season, a female walleye can lay more than
400,000 eggs.
A webpage for the walleye run on the Division of Wildlife’s website – updated Monday – noted some walleye
have been caught by anglers in recent days, though most of them have been males.
The run traditionally lasts from March 1 through April 30, with the first two weeks of April being the
busiest time. Traditionally, anglers can be seen lining the Maumee in long columns during this period,
decked out in waders and other gear, assiduously watching their lines.
"There’s some fish in there," said Windau, "but you know, obviously it depends on the
weather."
Mike Wilkerson, the Division of Wildlife’s fishing supervisor, noted that last year more than 37,000
walleye were taken during the run on the Maumee, with fishermen logging an estimated 108,000 hours
"which was about the same as 2012, and those (numbers) were down a bit from 2011."
Whether those numbers will be repeated this year remains to be seen – though he predicted they would
probably mimic 2013 "provided (fishermen) can get to the river."
"Typically this week is the peak of the run, and we’re not quite started yet," said Wilkerson.

"They’ll come in later, and whether or not (the walleye will) come in quickly and leave, of if
they’ll stay for a more extended period of time, we don’t know."