Ohio features many ponds, streams, rivers, inland lakes and reservoirs where residents and visiting tourists can enjoy an opportunity to catch largemouth bass.
The spring months offer some of best fishing of the year for largemouth bass, one of Ohio’s most popular fish, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reports. Largemouths are hardy, self-sustaining fish that are sought after by a variety of anglers, especially tournament fishermen.
Fishing methods for largemouth in ponds and reservoirs are fairly similar, whereas methods for river and stream fishing are not unlike those for catching smallmouth bass in such areas. In May, the fish can be found in secondary and main lake points with rip rap or hard bottom.
Anglers should fish close to cover in muddy and heavily stained water and retrieve perpendicular to cover. Dark-colored baits work well in the spring and lighter-colored bait is best used in the fall. Largemouth can often be found close to or immediately next to cover after a strong cold front.
Tackle should include medium-to-heavy baitcasting, spinning or spincast rods with 8- to 17-pound test line. Rod-and-reel selection will depend on the type of lures or baits being used.
Ohio’s state parks and wildlife areas provide excellent fishing opportunities, with many spots featuring largemouth bass and a myriad of other game fish as well.
The Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area is in Knox County, approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Fredericktown and five miles northeast of Chesterville. The lake features a variety of game fish including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and bullhead. The headwaters of the lake are good for suckers, smallmouth bass and rock bass during the spring spawning runs.
Knox Lake in Knox County is located approximately 1.5 miles northeast of Fredericktown and can be accessed via State Route 95. The lake features muskellunge, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch and catfish, gofishohio.com says. Rainbow trout can also be found in the tailwaters of the lake.
Mohican State Park is located southeast of Mansfield in north-central Ohio, and anglers can find excellent fishing opportunities in the park’s many streams and attractions. Wolf Creek offers excellent stream fishing for smallmouth bass. Additionally, Clear Fork River is one of only three Ohio streams stocked with brown trout, and Pleasant Hill Lake offers largemouth bass, bluegill and white crappie.
Ariel-Foundation Park in the middle of Mount Vernon has three large lakes that were once gravel quarries. The lakes are stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout and bluegill.
