MAUMEE, Ohio — The peak of the walleye run is just a few short weeks away, but with the warmer weather, some anglers are already getting a taste of what the Maumee River has to offer.
With the lack of significant snow and rain this winter, anglers on the Maumee River might have to change up their approach heading into the peak season.
Serena Yerg, manager at Maumee Tackle, said fishers have already brought in some fresh walleye.
"We had some guys going out about a week and a half ago and we saw the first couple walleye pulled out, which we've never seen (this early) before," Yerg said.
Does that mean this year's peak season could be moving up?
"The weather has been fluctuating so much. I mean, good old Ohio, right? One day it's 30 (degrees) the next day it's 55," Yerg said. "So with it picking back up this weekend, we may see a couple of stragglers coming in but we're still thinking right around the beginning of March for the good old walleye run to start."
Water level factors in as well. Right now, the Maumee River could use a boost in the form of rain by way of Fort Wayne, Yerg said.
"That water is very low, almost bone dry," Yerg said. "You're seeing a whole lot of rock right now so the water level is very low right now."
What about the water temperature?
"It's still cold," Yerg said. "I mean, ideal temperature for the walleye run to start is 42, we're about 36, 37. So we've still got a way to go."
So even though it is warming up, anglers may need to be a little patient for the best catch.
If this is your first walleye fishing season, Yerg recommends going out and getting a weighted belt as an extra safety precaution and also using the buddy system if you are going out on the water.