As fish fill their bellies this fall in preparation for the long winter ahead, local anglers are gearing up for one of the most exciting times of the year for fishing. 

Mike Steel, co-owner of Knox Marine, said the fall fishing season represents an abundance of opportunities for fishermen “all around Ohio.” 

“I do a lot of bass fishing, so it’s a great time to be bass fishing—and really any fish—because all the bluegill, crappie, and bass are all feeding up, getting a lot of food in their stomachs for the winter,” Steel told the Mount Vernon News. “Also, catfish are active this time of year, making it an exciting time for anglers.”

Mike Steel / Knox Marine

Steel noted that the transition from summer to fall creates ideal conditions for fishing. 

“Spring and fall are great times to be out there, and walleyes on Lake Erie—they're gosh, they’re starting to heat up too,” he said. 

Local hotspots like Pleasant Hill and Alum Creek are also showing promise. 

“Close to Knox County, Pleasant Hill ought to be getting pretty good,” Steel said. “Alum Creek, in central Ohio, is getting really, really good.” 

For Steel, his own fishing adventures are taking place closer to home. 

“I live on Apple Valley, a little private lake, so I’ve been fishing out there a lot. Actually, I was out Sunday and caught about 50 of them,” he said. “They’re eating pretty good. They’re all eating little bait fish, so anything you can throw to imitate a fish is going to be great.”

When it comes to tackle, Steel advises anglers to adapt their tactics as the seasons change.

He recommends using simple yet effective gear. 

“[I use] just a little crankbait or a swim bait. Anything like that would be good,” he said. 

With the onset of cooler weather, the fish are responding positively. 

“A lot of them say it's just now starting to heat up,” he said. “We’re kind of in the first swing of fall here because we just got that first real cool down, and those fish are feeling it.” 

This seasonal shift is prompting many anglers to get back out on the water as fall tournaments begin to ramp up.

“The bass, in particular, are seeing a boost in size this time of year. A normal bass that might weigh 2 pounds is going to be about 3 pounds now, and they’re just eating anything they can get a hold of,” Steel said. 

This trend is drawing more anglers to Knox Marine, who are looking to stock up for their upcoming competitions.

“A lot more people, especially crappie guys, are coming in and getting bait, and some bass guys are coming in and getting a couple of things for their tournaments coming up,” he said. “Even a lot of guys are coming in and getting swim baits and crankbaits.”

The fall fishing tournament schedule is packed full of opportunities. 

Knox Marine just sponsored one leg of the Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail Classic (OMBTT). 

The OMBTT will finish for the year with an event to be held on Oct. 20 at Alum Creek. 

Jaw Jackerz is hosting a series of fishing tournaments at Rocky Fork Lake, offering anglers four opportunities to compete over the coming weeks. 

Dates of the tournaments are Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, and 16. 

The Gallipolis Open Bass Tournament Fundraiser, hosted by the Gallipolis Bass Busters, will take place on Oct. 26, at the Gallipolis Park Front Ramp. 

South of Cleveland the Mr. Berlin tournament will be held on Oct. 26 at the Berlin Lake Bonner Rd Ramp. This year marks the 28th annual event, honoring Mark "Mr. Berlin" Hubbard.

A full list of fall fishing tournaments can be found at https://fishtournaments.ohiodnr.gov.