Regulations & Other Need-To-Know Info
Fishing is open year-round on the Maumee River. However, some rules change during March and April. Please consult the regulations established and maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife for the most up-to-date information. Here are some essential pieces of information to know wading in: From March 1 - April 30, 2009:
- Fishing on the Maumee River is legal from sunrise to sunset via public access points or private access (with permission) with a valid Ohio fishing license
- Only single hooks are permitted (one hook per line) - NO TREBLE HOOKS
- All fish not hooked from inside the mouth, out ("foul-hooked" or "snagged") must be released to the water immediately
- The daily possession limit of walleye is 4 fish per angler; anglers may NOT possess fish caught by other fishermen
- Walleyes must be at least 15" in length to be kept
From May 1 - February 28, 2010:
- No time restriction on fishing in the Maumee
- No specific hook limitations, trebles permitted
- All fish not hooked from inside the mouth, out ("foul-hooked" or "snagged") must be released to the water immediately
- The daily possession limit of walleye is 6 fish per angler; anglers may NOT possess fish caught by other fishermen
- Walleyes must be at least 15" in length to be kept
Keep in mind that the walleye is by no means the only sport fish present in good numbers in the Maumee River. If short sleeves are more your style, you can enjoy tremendous white bass fishing as the walleye run begins to wrap up. These feisty Lake Erie migrants also run the Maumee to spawn in the spring, but their numbers typically peak in late April into May.
When conditions are right, white bass can be caught on the Maumee River in great numbers and often under a bobber. Their aggressive feeding behavior makes them a favorite target for anglers, young and old. Concentrate both on slack pools and fast moving rapids for consistent bass action.
As the mercury rises even more, anglers on the Maumee transition to summer favorites. Many of Wood County’s accesses further upstream (toward Grand Rapids) support tremendous smallmouth bass and catfish action all summer long. The beauty of pursuing these targets? You can often enjoy great catches without much competition – other than from the great blue herons and the bald eagles!
Good fishing. We hope you can come enjoy the bounty of the Maumee River soon!
