Ohio River Fishing

OHIO RIVER — The river is at the normal fall level and fishing continues to be very good for all species of fish. Currents are important because fish are attracted to the moving water. Therefore, lock and dam tailwaters and creek mouths are always good areas to fish. Sauger and walleye become very active for about an hour at twilight and this is a great time to fish the tailwaters. Hybrid striped bass move in and out of the tailwaters and are being caught using large crank baits or casting spoons. Game fish such as smallmouth bass, sauger, and walleyes are found along the shoreline where there is current or rock. Minnows have been particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs, tube jigs, and shallow-running crank baits have also been productive.
MONONGAHELA RIVER — The river is in good fishing condition. Sauger and walleye become very active for about an hour at twilight but can be caught in the tailwaters throughout the day. Three-inch chartreuse power grubs are a good alternative to live bait for sauger and walleye. Fish will be attracted to the moving water at the tailwaters of all the locks, and the warm water discharges at the Rivesville, Morgantown, and Fort Martin power plants. Minnows, 3-inch plastic grubs, and crankbaits are still the most productive baits for most other species. The shoreline from the Morgantown lock to the mouth of Deckers Creek is always a good place to fish from the shore. There are lots of bass, saugers, and drum along the shoreline. The opposite shoreline is good for larger sunfish.