Maumee River and Lake Erie report-30 June 2025

Most of the month of June was pretty cold, rainy and windy. Now that the weather has broken and it’s hot and steamy we can get out there on the river and have some fun kayaking.

Kayak rentals and sales are available at our Maumee and Grand Rapids location.

check out our link below for our weekly u-  pick wildflowers  and kayak event

Maumee river:

The river is gettin a bit low in this summer heat.

Catfish can be found across Ohio and we have an especially healthy population in the Maumee river, but they vary in types and sizes. Whether it is bullheads in farm ponds, channel catfish and flathead catfish in reservoirs and rivers, many anglers seek catfish not only for their fight but for their table fare as well. Catfish sustain populations by natural reproduction in many habitats. Anglers use a variety of scented baits since a catfish  sense of smell and taste is excellent. The most effective baits include cut shad, prepared blood bait, chicken livers,

Smallmouth bass:

We have been seeing the smallmouth bass bite pick up in the last few days. A few caught around the Jerome rd rapids, some near the 475 bridge in Sidcut park and those that waded over to Bluegrass island hit a few as well. Throw a spinnerbait  or a big joshy lure. 

Ponds, and reservoirs.

All sorts of panfish biting right now, Bluegill, crappie and some of those reservoirs have yellow perch in them as well.

Stop in a and check out our kayak showroom for a good fishing kayak, .

Lake Erie

Walleye- There are quite a few reports of limits being caught in two or three hours. Anglers trolling worm harnesses behind bottom bouncers at 1.5 to 2.2 mph seemed to be catching the most fish. Anglers drifting have been picking up fish on worm harnesses with varying success. Color did not seem to matter. Anglers are also having success trolling spoons 45 to 75 feet back behind divers, and trolling deep diving crankbaits unassisted 30 to 50 feet back.

Perch:

A few here and there , still early and the lake is still has some mayflies that  need to clear out.  Soon though…soon.

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass 

• Anglers fishing for largemouth have been doing well in the Portage River mouth, East and West Harbors, and Sandusky Bay, as well as picking up the occasional fish around Catawba. Anglers targeting smallmouth have been fishing deeper marinas around Kelleys and the Bass islands, and the rock reefs adjacent to the islands. Reports of incidental catches have been reported near the mid-lake reef complex and Vermilion. Texas rigged soft plastic and wacky worms usually produce well for largemouth bass. For anglers targeting smallmouth, tubes and drop-shot rigs work well, though plenty of fish are being caught trolling crankbaits.

Summer kayak fun

Have fun, be safe and good luck fishing.