Maumee River Walleye Run

If you want walleye, the Maumee River Walleye Run is perhaps the best place to get it! The dams downstream at Grand Rapids and at Defiance, in combination with Lake Erie, impound a great deal of Maumee, but it is the areas that fall in between Maumee and Grand Rapids that see the biggest part of the Maumee River Walleye Run.

The runs, rapids, and ripples are literally teeming with walleye during the Maumee River walleye run, and the fishing is fine. The Ohio Division of Wildlife states that the annual Maumee River Walleye run is one of the biggest sport fishing runs east of the Mighty Mississippi! During the walleye run, there are going to be plenty of smaller boats on the water, but the Maumee River Walleye Run honestly does belong to those who fish from the banks. It is like a huge fleet of chest wader clad fishermen casting and hauling in walleye after walleye. What a real site to see!

Casting is particularly important for those fishing for walleye during the spawn, and especially so for those fishing from the banks. The single best set up for catching walleye during the Maumee run would be a medium weight graphite spinning rod, fast action, in just over a six foot length. You will see a big range of rods, varying in all dimensions from length to weight, but this is the one I believe will give you the best results when fishing the Maumee River walleye run.

Still, anything from a Five and a half foot rod to a seven and a half footer will work. You will want a good quality spinning reel, medium action, with front and rear drag. You can get by with front OR rear drag, but front AND rear is better. Be sure the reel you choose has an antireverse. This is a little switch that is usually found on the rear of your reel. It lets the angler change from a backward to a forward reel in an instant. This is kind of like the rod usage…you will see lots of different ones out there, from a closed face reel to a bait casting reel, and you can catch walleye with them all, but the one I have described to you seems to be the best choice.

When it comes to other fishing gear to make the most of the Maumee River walleye run, you will need terminal tackle, line, waders, a landing net, and a small list of other essentials we will discuss in just a moment. Make sure to purchase quality products here as you will not have time to worry about broken items or missing pieces (and who wants to get all excited about this Run only to find they have less than ideal gear with them?)

When it comes to tackle, anything thing from an eighth ounce to three quarters of an ounce lead headed jig with three inch chartreuse tails or grubs, floating jig heads, barrel swivels, split shot, and sliding sinkers will work. Use a good quality monofilament like in about a five to ten pound test strength.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best walleye fishing information possible. Get more information on walleye fishing tips here: http://www.askwalleyefishing.com/