EVERY SPRING, thousands of anglers from all over our region, across the country, and even around the world descend upon the cities of Maumee and Perrysburg to experience a truly remarkable event—the annual Maumee River walleye run. The exact timing of the spring run varies from year to year based on factors such as the temperature and flow of the river, but extends somewhere from early to mid-March when the ice clears until approximately early May. What remains consistent, however, is the fun eager fisherfolk can expect to have as they cast their lines in hopes of hooking these prized fish.
The largest member of the perch family, the walleye (Sander vitreus) is olive and gold in color and gets its name from the reflective pigment layer in its eyes, called the tapetum lucidum, which makes the eyes appear cloudy and pearlescent. Though commonly caught in the 15- to 20-inch range, walleye can grow considerably larger. Incidentally, this coveted game fish also makes for a delicious meal. Though extremely popular battered and fried, walleye can be cooked in a variety of different ways to suit virtually any taste—pan-seared, grilled, baked, broiled, etc.
The traditional hotspot for anglers to congregate during the spring run is the stretch of river near Side Cut Metropark, from the Conant Street Bridge to just west of Blue Grass Island. With vehicles parked bumper to bumper along both sides of the road and anglers lined up along this entire stretch almost shoulder to shoulder (hopefully spaced at least six feet apart this year with the COVID pandemic still underway), you really can’t miss the location.
If you plan to put your angling skills to the test during the Maumee River walleye run, be sure to acquire an Ohio fishing license and have it on your person while fishing. Also, it’s important to familiarize yourself with all appropriate rules and regulations specifying what tackle and techniques are allowable, the minimum legal size for walleye taken during the run, the daily catch limit for 2021, etc. Literature containing all this and other fishing regulations for the state of Ohio should be provided with your fishing license.
Safety is another critical consideration when wader-fishing on the Maumee. Keep in mind that, even if the air temperature is balmy, the water temperature will still be considerably colder. Combine chilly, murky water with swift currents and a rocky, uneven river bottom, and you have the potential for a serious, life-threatening accident. To reduce your risk while enjoying this exciting annual event:
• Be alert to traffic when exiting or entering your vehicle in the parking area along the river. Most drivers are considerate enough to slow down and watch carefully for pedestrians as they pass through this congested area during the run, but there are always exceptions.
• Practice the buddy system—fish with a friend and keep a close eye on one another.
• Use a wading staff (available in convenient collapsible form) to test the water depth and the river bed surface as you move around.
• Cinch your hip waders at the waist with a belt. This will help slow the flow of water into your waders should you become immersed as well as trap air, which will help keep you warmer in that cold water and make you more buoyant.
• Before heading into the river, take an inventory of all your tackle and gear to make sure you aren’t forgetting something important, such as additional lures, needle-nose pliers for pulling hooks, a stringer, scissors or clippers for cutting line, etc. The better equipped you are before hitting the water, the fewer risky trips you’ll have to take back to shore. To prevent the accidental loss of tools, consider affixing them to your waders with lanyards or string.
Even if you have no interest in doing any actual fishing, the annual Maumee River walleye run can still provide a great opportunity for family fun. The atmosphere along the river is always festive—almost carnival-like—and there are various concessions and food carts on site if you’d like something to snack on. Of course, kids especially love to see the anglers come off the river with stringers full of walleye. It’s a wonderful way to introduce them to a fun, healthy outdoor activity and long-standing local tradition.
