Contrary to what some people think, you do not need a boat to catch fish.
Granted on some lakes, that is about the only way to fish because they have little or no public access from shore. But other lakes offer some good fishing from shore. And most people who fish rivers and streams do so from shore.
Personally, I prefer to fish from a boat, but I've also done well from the banks of different waters. And recently I've done better by walking shorelines and piers than I have from a boat. An added plus to fishing from shore it that you get some exercise while walking and casting compared to sitting in a boat.
On a few overcast and sometimes drizzly afternoon and evenings, I took my flyrod and did a little casting from the dredge piers and shorelines at Oxbow Lake, located northwest of Defiance off Ohio 15 in the Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area. The bass catches were not huge by any means, but it was a fun way pass an hour or an hour-and-a-half. Casting parallel to the shoreline proved to be the ticket in most areas.
Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is a perfect time to do a little walking and casting.
Fishing a farm pond with a fly rod or an ultralight outfit can yield some good catches and plenty of fun. What is great about fishing mini baits or small plastics on light jigheads is that you can catch a potpourri of fish. You don't know if you will get a bluegill, crappie, bass or even a catfish. One can do the same with heavier bass gear, too.
This also is a good time to walk and fish one of the many upground reservoirs in northwest Ohio.
One can use lighter gear for bluegills and crappies or use a crawler harness, jig with a twister tail or Rapala-like lures for walleyes and saugeyes. One of the best times to get walleyes and saugeyes during the summer is by fishing after nightfall and using a Rapala or Rapala-like lure.
Still fishing also is good during the summer months, but if you are fishing with a bobber, continually move your bait to attract fish and to find different strikes zones.
Fishing through the night for catfish (channels or flatheads) is preferred by a number of river anglers. It's a good way to beat the heat.
This also is a good time to wade local rivers for a variety of fish.
Many anglers fish for river crappies in the spring and fall and there are plenty of areas to fish from shore in northwest Ohio rivers. Again walking and fishing is a good combination.
One can fish from shore around Lake Erie, too. There are a number of spots one can fish, especially in the Port Clinton area.
The East Harbor shoreline of East Harbor State Park can be an especially a good spot since it is loaded with bluegills and pumpkinseeds along with a decent largemouth population. Catawba State Park attracts lots of fishermen, but Mazurick access site is a good place, too. Another good spot is the old Sandusky Bay Bridge that can be reached either from the Marblehead or the Bayview side. It offers rocky structure, which is good for rock bass, smallmouth and other species.
Don't forget many of these places offer good fishing shortly after iceout in late February or March and again in November and December. Many people do not like fishing from boats at this time because of the bulky or heavier clothes they must wear. It's easier to maneuver on shore with these types of clothes than in a boat.
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Straightened Arrows Inc., a faith based nonprofit organization, will hold its open to the public monthly 3-D archery shooting event on Saturday, June 27, at the Defiance County Fish and Game Club, located northwest of Defiance off Ohio 15. All children under the age of 18 can participate in the organization's shooting events at no cost. It also has a limited amount of free equipment for anyone to use. Sign in anytime between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information, visit the club's website at www.straightenedarrows.org or call Allan Hansford at 419-439-3155.
(Al Smith is outdoor editor of The Crescent-News. Contact him at outdoor@crescent-news.com)