Lake Erie and Maumee River Report- August 18,2017-EMERALD SHINERS IN STOCK !

Maumee River

All access areas are available to fish. We have had good reports all week of catfish, some white bass and a bunch of walleye being caught. We are beingning to see some large smallmouth bass caught as well .

Late summer smallmouth structures found in the river are humps and rocky areas.  These rocky outcroppings are almost always near cooler, deeper water, because smallmouths are less tolerant of heat than largemouths and slow their feeding activity when temperatures get much above 75 degrees. Another key feature: These summer hot spots are often rich with juvenile crawfish, a staple in the diet of smallmouths.

By late July-early August smallmouths are really tuned in to the crawfish, mostly because the crawfish are growing by shedding, or molting, their skin, and that puts them at the optimal size to feed on. I have read studies, and first hand experience, clearly indicates that smallmouths’ summer feeding routines rely heavily on crayfish in the 1- to 2-inch range – roughly the size that young-of-the-year crayfish reach in July and August.

While a good number of fish prey on crayfish ,one  study found that more than 100 fish species eat them, smallmouth bass are notorious crawfish feeders .
Since crawfish are so important to smallmouths, it pays to know a little bit about them.
Here are five crawfish facts to keep in mind when looking for smallmouth hangouts:

• The one habitat requirement that all crawfish species share is the need for shelter in the form of rocks, logs or thick vegetation in which to hide from predators. Some crawfish species burrow in gravel bottoms.
• Crawfish can be found at a wide variety of depths, but generally spend their lives in 20 feet of water or less.
• Crawfish are most active at night, and smallmouth bass will feed on them during the peak of their activity in the low-light situations.
• Feeding studies of smallmouths indicate they begin to feed in earnest on crawfish only after their second or third year, meaning anglers are likely to find big, mature fish where there are crawfish.
• The optimal water-temperature range for crawfish is between 50 and 75 degrees.

 

Lake Erie

Surface Temp 77
Winds: SW 15-20 knots.
Waves 1 -3 feet,
Water Clarity: Good. Algae bloom continues to expanded some in density and range.