Walleye Run On The Maumee River

[Capt.Bob]

This is my 42nd year fishing this run, it is the largest walleye run in the world, and is on the largest tributary to the great lakes. I have been running hard for the past 15 days and @ 60 it's taking it's toll on me. Up at 3:30am every morning, out the door by 4am after checking the water level and deciding where I need to be at sunrise when legal fishing hours begin, then 70 miles to the spot I need to be at that day, in the water by 6:30 to secure my position, mainly to keep idiots from going out to their **** and standing in the fish. Then I have a problem leaving when your nailing fish right and left. It is a ball and this is a run I have fished 5 to 7 days a week usually from March 1st to may 10th or so well into the white bass run. I have had a great season so far, after filling the freezer with deer as usual and ending that season January 31st, Now 64 Walleye are in the freezer, I am taking a 3 or 4 day rest as I am just hurting to bad and the need to fill the freezer for the upcoming year is pretty stable, so it's time for a little body repair!!!!

 

I get so tiered and sore anymore wading in this whitewater wonderland and get aggravated by so many of these idiots who think they know more than you, but don't seem to understand if they would just listen they might actually catch fish, then at my age with my health I have to realize there are so many places that are treacherous but great fishing That I need to realize I can no longer fish without paying a penalty, there is always something taken away when I leave the river that is special,,,,,,,,,more memories, always loving the way it was, while learning the way it is, changing with physical changes and learning what changes the river makes every year, aging together and loving every minute thanking God for both!!!     

 

Here are a few pics of all the sights and times, but if you had ever been there you could even smell the times, as you literally know when a fresh run has shown up during the night n

by the smell when you get out of the truck, and await the next beautiful sunrise as you dress and continue to the water as you watch the tailing fish as daylight steadily approaches!!! Yes this is one of the magic moments of my life every year, and I thank God and pray I can continue to enjoy it for years to come!!! 

 

 

 

 

I don't take many hogs I usually limit with jacks, but they are not as good for the grill, little drier because of the thinner fillets. So I do keep 3 or 4 limits a year of females when they are the larger ones, 26" or larger the 2 on the right are 29" and just over 10 lbs. a real fight in fast water on the 7' Avid MF rod and Lew's Team real with 12lbs. test, the thick fillets make for much moister fillets coming of the grill,,,,,, which is whats for supper tonight, with Venison Backstraps butterflied 34" thick,,,,,,, my idea of REAL,,,,, SURF & TURF!!!!! 

 

 

I'll be back after em Tuesday after a 4 day break and probably spend the next 2 weeks back on the same schedule,,,,,,, a tough life but I'll try and live it the ,,,RITE WAY!!!

[bassh8er]

Looks like a great time. What are you catching them on?

Also, as a question since I'm not sure what state you're in, but is it legal to have 64 fish in your freezer, in your possession?

[BooyahMan]

Wow. And I thought the Sockeye run here was crowded.

Nice fish! Glad to hear you're nailing them.

[Catch 22]

Wow that is some incredible catching. I did a goggle search on the river to see many limits by many people.

Very nice report.I`m having a tough time generating any sympathy for your fatigue because it is self inflicted plus I used to do something very similar a while back.

I wish we had eye catching like that close by. I`m jealous.

C22

[powerduster]

Nice fish there Bob. I don't believe walleye are in my area, but they sound like fun.

Looks like a great time. What are you catching them on?

Also, as a question since I'm not sure what state you're in, but is it legal to have 64 fish in your freezer, in your possession?

Legal? Probably. Regardless of the daily limits, it's not like he caught all 64 fish in a single day.

[intan]

wow

[hatrix]

It's crazy how people will line up shoulder to shoulder for eyes. Even in the dead of winter when the night bite starts they stack up at Erie on the rocks fishing for eyes.

[bassh8er]

Nice fish there Bob. I don't believe walleye are in my area, but they sound like fun. Legal? Probably. Regardless of the daily limits, it's not like he caught all 64 fish in a single day.

Do you realize what 'possession limit' means? In Nebraska, it would be twice your daily limit, which would be 8 walleye. I thought the forum supported following regulations, and I would be willing to bet that having 64 walleyes in your freezer is not legal anywhere.

[Bluebasser86]

Do you realize what 'possession limit' means? In Nebraska, it would be twice your daily limit, which would be 8 walleye. I thought the forum supported following regulations, and I would be willing to bet that having 64 walleyes in your freezer is not legal anywhere.

That is very true. It's the same way in Kansas, you could catch 10 keeper sized walleye (twice the day bag limit), the first two days of the year and until you consume or do something with those fish you are not allowed to posses another one, which would include just putting a fish in the livewell. 

 

We do not condone any illegal activity, but I wasn't able to find anything on Ohio DNR's website that having 64 walleye in the freezer is anything illegal. I'm sure Capt. Bob is aware of his states possession limits, but it never hurts to refresh and review your states regulations as they change often. It is sad how many fishermen hit the water without knowing their states regulations that are generally put into place for their own good/benefit. 

[Capt.Bob]

rest assured folks, as a true Licensed USCG Master Captain, owning my own charter, and being a state licensed guide, I take caution to honor my state laws. I think it is sad when so many are limited to what resource they pay for and are not allowed to use. 

[hatrix]

I am not sure what the limit in Ohio is that you are allowed to posses and if there even is one. It is very common practice that people catch a limit of perch or walleye and freeze it for later. As far as I know there is nothing wrong with that as long as you follow regulations on the daily limit. Lots of my family members do that and will have bags and bags of fish as the year goes on and throw a big fish fry later or give some to people ect.

[BannedForSpamming-1234555]

64?  That's a lot of fish.

 

If that was in Canada, MNR would be busting down my door...

[Capt.Bob]

Well a week and a half later and still pull'n limits, the fish are starting to run a little smaller but thats ok, you gotta have some fryers to go with them Grillers,   But the freezer is gett'n full, put up close to my target of 100 Walleyes for the year. I think we got a week left anyway's maybe a little longer. If I can get 6 or 8 meals of Yellow Perch put up later this spring, I will have our fish supply for the year.

 

There have been a handful of white bass caught, when they start it is usually a sign the Walleye have about finished up. This is when my season of fishing just for fun starts. I'll keep 30 or 40 White Bass to smoke for the year but mostly start catch'n and fish'n for fun instead of subsistence. Plus in the river on medium light and light rod's and tackle it's a hoot when you can catch literally over 100 a day. It has been a very good Walleye season, started a little late but it's running a little later too. Hope everyone else's softwater season is started off as good as mine, and that everyone is having as much fun as I am,,, even if it is starting to take it;s toll on me, I'm hurting with a grin on my face, and my 42nd year fishing this great tributary is almost coming to end!!!! Soon all I will be able to do is hope God lets me do it again next year

 

 

[bassh8er]

Looks like a great time and I'm super jealous of having that resource near by.

Hitting the road to Lake Oahe today to try and catch some eyes and would love to have 1/10 of your success!

[Bluebasser86]

Looks like a great time and I'm super jealous of having that resource near by.

Hitting the road to Lake Oahe today to try and catch some eyes and would love to have 1/10 of your success!

I couldn't catch 64 walleye, let alone keepers, in an entire season. I can almost guarantee that none of them would be as big as even the smallest fish on that stringer picture either.

 

Good luck at Oahe. Never been there but I've heard it's a tremendous fishery. 

[Capt.Bob]

Yep good luck on the trip and hope you catch a bunch, even if you don;t I hope it;s a good day on the water and one to remember. Took today off as yesterday,,, after I had my limit and was just fishing for fun, the wife called to let me know the mail man just delivered my new Bow!!! So since I can barely walk from the last 4 weeks and not knowing how to take a break I did decide to take today off!! Tomorrow the 1st the limit goes to 6 fish per day. But with the temps in the 70's over the weekend and the river low, it will probably warm enough to run the Walleye back out to the Lake for another season. Had to stay home today to get aquanted with the new bow and strip it and send it out for a custom camo job and some other custom touches, like rods and reels,,,,,life is to short to play with standard equipment,,,,,,

 

Anyway I got it shipped and will be back in the river tomorrow, but I think Saturday and Sunday will be the end of my season for Walleye, for the run anyway!! This was this weeks best 2 fish, there gett'n smaller but still catch'n a few hogs, the big one was 8 1/2 lbs and 28" nice fight in fast water on a medium action 7' Avid,,,,,,   And a smaller one still nice but most are 19 to 22" now, but you have to sort thru a few 16 to 18"ers.