Anglers across Ohio are gearing up for what promises to be an exceptional month of fishing. As May unfolds its splendor across Ohio's waterways, anticipation runs high among anglers eager to reel in the bounty of the season's offerings. 

With prime conditions and ample opportunities awaiting, Ohio's fishing community prepares to cast their lines and embark on memorable adventures on the water.

Steve Dalton, co-owner of Knox Marine, described the current conditions as ideal for walleye, bass, and crappie enthusiasts alike. 

“The whole month of May is as good as it gets if you're a walleye guy, if you're a bass guy, a crappie guy. I mean, as a general rule of thumb, May is probably the number one month in Ohio,” Dalton told the Mount Vernon News. 

Walleye 

"Buckeye Lake has been nothing short of spectacular for walleyes," Dalton said. 

However, Dalton noted that adverse weather conditions have made fishing in streams and other areas challenging due to high water levels and muddy waters. 

Despite this, Lake Erie remains a hotspot for walleye fishing, with recent tournaments showcasing impressive catches despite less than ideal conditions. 

“It did take big weights to win, even though the water conditions were muddy and big waves,” Dalton said. 

Dalton highlighted the success of a recent jig-only tournament on Lake Erie, indicating a thriving spawn and exceptional jig fishing opportunities. 

Anglers targeting Walleye are permitted to catch up to 6 fish without any specified minimum size limit.  

Bass 

Dalton reported excellent bass fishing throughout the state, with numerous tournaments boasting impressive weights, including 25 to 27-pound hauls of smallmouth bass at Lake Erie. 

Largemouth bass tournaments have also seen remarkable catches in recent weeks. 

“There'll be tournaments on most of the lakes throughout central Ohio every weekend,” he said.  

With tournaments scheduled on lakes across central Ohio every weekend, bass enthusiasts have ample opportunities to showcase their skills. 

For Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass, a maximum of five fish may be kept per day, with a minimum size requirement of 12 inches. 

Crappie 

Crappie fishing has been particularly fruitful, according to Dalton. 

“Crappie season has been good. It really has,” he said.  

While Knox Marine primarily caters to bass anglers, Dalton acknowledged the popularity of crappie fishing in the area and emphasized the store's selection of crappie and panfish gear. 

Despite lesser focus on catfish, Dalton assured that they provide a comprehensive range of tackle for bass and crappie anglers alike. 

“We mainly carry stuff with two crappie fish and panfish, like bluegills and stuff like that. Always have terminal tackle, but we cater more to the bass fisherman because that's what's most popular around our area, that and the crappie,” Dalton said. 

Black and White Crappie enthusiasts may retain a total of 30 fish, individually or in combination, without facing minimum size restrictions.

Month of May expected to bring good fishing 

Reflecting on recent weather challenges, Dalton noted that the excessive rain had temporarily impacted fishing conditions but expressed optimism as conditions return to normalcy. 

He reiterated the sentiment that May is the pinnacle of fishing in Ohio, urging anglers to ensure their safety by checking boat registrations, renewing fishing licenses, and maintaining proper safety equipment. 

Dalton also stressed the importance of properly preparing for the fishing season. 

“I think the best part of the season is just right around the corner and I'd be getting geared up to go,” he said. “Everybody, just be safe boating. Make sure everybody has their boat registrations, renewed fishing license, fishing license – people forget about them. And you know safety equipment properly and their boat registrations, just needs to get in there as just a reminder because we hear a lot of that.” 

Highlighting the convenience of modern technology, Dalton recommended the official Ohio fishing app as a valuable resource for anglers. 

The app provides easy access to regulations, including size and catch limits for different lakes, empowering anglers to make informed decisions while adhering to regulatory requirements. 

“Everybody should have that app on their phone because it's touching their finger to see what limits or size limits what lakes. It's just easy to have that access,” he said.