Ohio Spring Fish Runs: Walleye and White Bass

Q: When do walleye run in Ohio?

On the Maumee and Sandusky rivers, usually in early March and April. That timing comes from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. The day each year follows the water: the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife puts the walleye spawn at 43 to 55°F.

Q: When do white bass run in Ohio?

On the Maumee and Sandusky rivers, usually in May and June. That timing comes from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. The day each year follows the water: the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife puts the white bass spawn at 55 to 64°F.

Q: What water temperature do walleye spawn at in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife gives 43 to 55°F for the runs on the Maumee and Sandusky rivers. Water inside that range means the spawn can be on; within 5°F below it, the run is getting close.

Q: What water temperature do white bass spawn at in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife gives 55 to 64°F for the runs on the Maumee and Sandusky rivers. Water inside that range means the spawn can be on; within 5°F below it, the run is getting close.

Q: Where can I watch or fish the Ohio runs?

Metroparks Toledo names Side Cut Metropark and the Providence Dam on the Maumee River. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife names Downtown Fremont, Ballville Dam Rd. Bridge and River Cliff Park on the Sandusky River.

Q: How can I tell if a run in Ohio is on today?

2 USGS gauges on the Maumee River and the Sandusky River report the water temperature through the day. Each run card sets the latest reading against the spawning temperature: more than 5°F below the spawning temperature is Not yet, within 5°F is Getting close, inside the range is On, and above it late in the run is Winding down. The other runs follow their usual months.

Q: Does a run start on the same date every year?

No. The months are the usual window, and the water sets the day: a cold spring holds a run back, and a warm one brings it forward. In Ohio, the gauge readings on the run cards show where the water stands now.

Q: Why do fish run in spring?

Water temperature is the main signal: each species waits for its own range. Longer days bring fish toward the rivers, and a warm rain that raises and warms the water often starts a push upstream. Walleye go first in cold water; white bass, herring and shad follow as rivers warm.

Walleye run up the Maumee and Sandusky rivers from early March through April in water of 43 to 55°F; white bass follow them in May and spawn into June.

Ohio at a glance

Read October 13, 2026

Runs

on 2 waters

Species

walleye and white bass

March

First to start

Walleye on the Maumee River

43 to 64°F

Spawning water

walleye to white bass

USGS gauges

on the rivers of 4 runs

Months, temperatures and places are the agency’s own, quoted on each run below. The verdict on each card is worked out in your browser against today and the latest reading at the gauge on that river.

Is the run on?

Every Ohio run, and where it stands today

Walleye

Walleye on the Maumee River

When: Usually early March and April.
Spawns at: 43 to 55°F Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
The run: Toledo upstream to the Grand Rapids Providence Dam
Where to go: Side Cut Metropark

Walleye arrive in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers in early March and stay through April, with their greatest abundance generally around the beginning of April.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

The rules on this water (3), where to fish and notes

Gear ruleMarch 1 to April 30 each year (2026 to 2027 regulations)

No fishing with a line with more than a single hook. The line may not have a hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point. Double and treble hooks are prohibited. These regulations apply to the following areas: ... The Maumee River from the Grand Rapids Providence Dam to a line in the Maumee Bay from Little Cedar Point to Turtle Island

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

RuleMarch 1 to April 30 each year (2026 to 2027 regulations)

Fishing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset in the following areas: ... The Maumee River from the Ohio Turnpike bridge to the easternmost point of Missionary Island in Wood County, and from the State Route 295 bridge to the Grand Rapids Providence Dam

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Limit2026 regulations

The daily limit for walleye in Ohio waters of Lake Erie is 6 fish per angler. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, fishing report updated April 14, 2026. Read it at the source

Where to fish

The popular gamefish swims upriver to spawn in numbers that are unparalleled on the Great Lakes, and Side Cut Metropark is right in the middle of the action.

Metroparks Toledo, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Note

Each spring, thousands of walleye run up the Maumee to spawn, attracting anglers from across the nation.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Walleye

Walleye on the Sandusky River

When: Usually early March and April.
Spawns at: 43 to 55°F Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
The run: Fremont up to the Waterworks Dam in Tiffin
Where to go: Downtown Fremont, Ballville Dam Rd. Bridge, River Cliff Park

Walleye arrive in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers in early March and stay through April, with their greatest abundance generally around the beginning of April.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

The rules on this water (3) and where to fish

Gear ruleMarch 1 to April 30 each year (2026 to 2027 regulations)

No fishing with a line with more than a single hook. The line may not have a hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point, or lure having more than a single hook larger than ½ inch from shank to point. Double and treble hooks are prohibited. These regulations apply to the following areas: ... The Sandusky River from the Waterworks Dam in Tiffin to a line running ¼ mile east of and parallel to the full length of the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge in Sandusky Bay

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

RuleMarch 1 to April 30 each year (2026 to 2027 regulations)

Fishing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset in the following areas: ... The Sandusky River from the Waterworks Dam in Tiffin to the northern tip of Brady's Island in Fremont

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Limit2026 regulations

The daily limit for walleye in Ohio waters of Lake Erie is 6 fish per angler. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15 inches.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, fishing report updated April 14, 2026. Read it at the source

Where to fish

Downtown Fremont is productive. Anglers are also catching fish at Ballville Dam Rd. Bridge and River Cliff Park.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, fishing report updated April 14, 2026. Read it at the source

White bass

White bass on the Maumee River

When: Usually May and June.
Spawns at: 55 to 64°F Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
The run: Toledo upstream to the Grand Rapids Providence Dam
Where to go: Side Cut Metropark, Providence Dam

White bass begin to make their way into the rivers directly after the walleye leave and will spawn into June. White bass abundance usually peaks in mid-May and they will slowly leave the system, although some white bass stay in the rivers all summer.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

The rules on this water (1), where to fish and notes

Limit2026 regulations

White Bass: No limits

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, fishing report updated April 14, 2026. Read it at the source

Where to fish

Upriver from Side Cut, the other Maumee River Metroparks are also destinations during the spring runs of walleye and white bass, as well as a variety of other river species most of the year. A popular destination is just below the Providence Dam.

Metroparks Toledo, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Note

About the time the walleye run ends, white bass move in to spawn.

Metroparks Toledo, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

White bass

White bass on the Sandusky River

When: Usually May and June.
Spawns at: 55 to 64°F Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
The run: Fremont and downstream
Where to go: Fremont

White bass begin to make their way into the rivers directly after the walleye leave and will spawn into June. White bass abundance usually peaks in mid-May and they will slowly leave the system, although some white bass stay in the rivers all summer.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

The rules on this water (1) and where to fish

Limit2026 regulations

White Bass: No limits

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, fishing report updated April 14, 2026. Read it at the source

Where to fish

White bass can be caught in Fremont and downstream of the city in deeper water as well.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, fishing report updated April 14, 2026. Read it at the source

A smiling angler in sunglasses holds a silver white bass with dark side stripes toward the camera, green lake water behind her — A white bass from Kerr Reservoir on the Virginia and North Carolina line. In spring white bass leave their lake for the rivers that feed it to spawn, and anglers follow them upstream. “White bass”, Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0

Sources

Where the Ohio runs come from

Every month, temperature, place and rule on this page is quoted from these pages, read October 13, 2026. Rules change every year, so check the current regulations before you fish.

Lake Erie Fishing Guide (Publication 5276), Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Fishing, Metroparks Toledo
Ohio Fishing Regulations 2026-27 (effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027), Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Fishing Reports and Forecasts, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Ohio Coastal Public Access Guide: Maumee River, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management
Walleye, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife

Ohio fish run questions

When do walleye run in Ohio?

When do white bass run in Ohio?

What water temperature do walleye spawn at in Ohio?

What water temperature do white bass spawn at in Ohio?

Where can I watch or fish the Ohio runs?

How can I tell if a run in Ohio is on today?

Does a run start on the same date every year?

Why do fish run in spring?

Runs, months, spawning temperatures, places and rules read October 13, 2026 from the pages listed under sources. Where a state gives no temperature for a species, the figure is the species figure its publisher gives, and the card says so. Water temperatures are the latest reading at a USGS gauge on the run’s own river, fetched when the page opens; a run without one goes by the months.

Ohio Spring Fish Runs: Walleye and White Bass

Ohio at a glance

Every Ohio run, and where it stands today

Walleye on the Maumee River

Walleye on the Sandusky River

White bass on the Maumee River

White bass on the Sandusky River

Where the Ohio runs come from

Ohio fish run questions

More fishing in Ohio

Spring fish runs in other states