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ESPN.com: Fishing | [Print without images] |
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Early Ohio spring fishing attracts hundreds of anglers to the tributaries of Lake Erie in search of steelhead. But another exciting angling opportunity is heating up too, 100 miles to the south of Erie.
The Dillon Falls region of the Licking River, located northwest of Zanesville, hosts an annual saugeye run from the Falls to the Dillon Lake Dam.
It's not unusual for anglers to pull "Fish Ohio Award" size saugeyes (21 inches) from this run.
Up 'n down river
The Licking River's flow fluctuates often this time of year as Dillon Dam performs its flood control function. Luckily, though, after a water release the Licking settles down rapidly and fishing resumes quickly.
Most of the river is accessible by wading. Excluding the Falls, which are Class I and II rapids, the river is floatable by canoe or other small watercraft.
The drawback is there's only one small, graveled boat launch ramp (directly above the Falls), and that makes loading and unloading any watercraft over 16 feet difficult.
Local saugeye angler Bill Berry has seen the river change over the last several years.
"When they built the new bridge (at Dillon Falls) a few years ago, they filled in the primary hole that held saugeyes.
Now the saugeyes move up the river more quickly, not having many holes to linger in. Some gravel and sand bars below the falls have grown in height and length, which have concentrated the saugeye's travel lane to a smaller size.
The fishing is still good though — you just have to concentrate on the deepest runs and pools of the river."
Saugeye arriving
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| Bill Berry of Zanesville shows a small saugeye that indicates the beginning of the Licking River saugeye run to the Dillon Lake Dam. |
