Fishing Guide - Bank fishing

Where is a good place to go bank fishing?

There probably are thousands of good bank fishing places in the area, from farm and municipal ponds to miles and miles of river banks. And, of course, everyone has his or her favorite spots. To answer that question for readers, I enlisted the help of three fabulous fishing friends and here are their top choices:

Doug Maloney, district fish management supervisor for the Ohio Division of Wildlife:

• Paint Creek Lake tailwaters: Best spot in the district for saugeyes, and you don't need a boat. Saugeyes are caught there year round, with best catches from November through May. All you need is a lead-head jig and Twistertails.

It is also a fantastic place for channel catfish and some big flathead catfish.

There is plenty of parking, picnic tables, playground equipment and restrooms.

• Grand Lake St. Marys Windy Point pier: From March through May, fish for crappies in the channels near the base of the pier. Live minnows or a small black or chartreuse jig, fished 1-2 feet under a bobber is the ticket.

From June-August, fish from the pier itself for abundant channel catfish. Try tight-line fishing on the bottom using shrimp, nightcrawlers, cut shad, or chicken livers.

There is a parking lot, nearby picnic tables and restrooms.

Jim Robey, veteran outdoor writer:

• Kiser Lake: Bank fishing is done from every side and the fishing piers are well located for those who want to sit in a folding chair, toss out a line and catch bass, catfish, crappies, hybrid striped bass and bluegills.

I like to work along the north shoreline between the dam and the marina closest to the dam, while casting a shallow running crankbait.

In spring, when the crappie and bluegill fishing is hot, bank fishing from the dam can be very good. My favorite spot is on the east side of the lake. Here one can fish from bank and cast out into the edge of lily pads. Wading out in boots can make it easier, but don't go far because the bottom is mucky.

• Indian Lake: When the saugeyes are active in the spring there is a very good chance of catching these fish from the bank. Moundwood on the east side is a choice spot. Saugeyes may be caught by casting a jig and working it slowly from either side of the channel from the state boat ramp out to the lake.

At the end of the channel lies a deep hole where saugeyes often are concentrated. The side opposite the ramp is preferred for fishing because it's a public park with parking and easy access to fishing. The west and south banks are also popular for saugeyes in the spring and fall.

• Rush Run Lake: In spring and fall it is stocked with keeper-size rainbows. I park at the boat ramp lot and walk down to where the boats are launched. From there, one can fish along the shoreline left, or right of the ramp.

Calvin Pyle, Xenia outdoors radio host and former Ohio "Mr. Musky":

• Rocky Fork Lake: From late June through August, try night fishing (10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.) around the lighted boat docks at the North Beach off North Shore Drive. Other good locations include the closed Rocky Fork restaurant area and Fisherman's Warf off Ohio 124.

In these areas you will catch crappies, channel cats and now saugeyes. Take along a 12-foot cane pole, bobber, split-shot, No. 6 crappie hooks and assortment of small jigs. Live bait would include minnows and waxworms.

The lights at the docks attract bugs, which attract shad, which bring in the fish you're trying to catch.

My choices:

• Anywhere along the Great Miami or Stillwater Rivers: especially north of the Taylorsville Dam (although many people like the area around West Carrollton). Find a safe parking spot for your car and a well-worn trail to the river. There are hundreds of such spots with excellent smallmouth fishing, probably the best in the area. The area below the Troy dam is popular for saugeyes and smallmouth. The Stillwater has plenty of bass action just about anywhere you stop. And the bigger pools often hold some nice crappies.

• Lake Loramie State Park: Plenty of channels with good parking access with picnic tables and restrooms along Ohio 362. You will always find brown bullheads waiting to be caught, along with lots of bluegills, crappies, largemouth bass and saugeyes. And if you go to the spillway area, you'll find saugeyes, especially in the spring.

Contact Jim Morris at 225-2409.