when to hit Pymie spillway

[eyeking]

I am an every weekend fisherman on Pymatuning starting in May. Until then, I spend alot of time on the rivers.

I am interested in fishing the lake earlier this year, and know the Spillway area is an early season hot spot. How early is too early?

When are the best times?

Also does anyone know of campgrounds that are open before the 2nd weekend in April? That's when Tuttle opens which is where I usually stay.

Thanks for any info!

[eyeking]

I am an every weekend fisherman on Pymatuning starting in May. Until then, I spend alot of time on the rivers.

I am interested in fishing the lake earlier this year, and know the Spillway area is an early season hot spot. How early is too early?

When are the best times?

Also does anyone know of campgrounds that are open before the 2nd weekend in April? That's when Tuttle opens which is where I usually stay.

Thanks for any info!

[Noah 1]

Eyeking, I'm not suprised that nobody has replied, even though there have been plenty of "views". Mainly it's because it's such a tightly contested fishing spot. All I can say is that it should be starting up there within the next couple weeks. I can't really pinpoint when because I don't go there often and I'm not sure how the calm winter will affect the fishing. I do know that you want to be there once it turns on, after that, it's hard to get in there with the crowds. As far as the camping, I don't know of any except the campgrounds....

[Noah 1]

Eyeking, I'm not suprised that nobody has replied, even though there have been plenty of "views". Mainly it's because it's such a tightly contested fishing spot. All I can say is that it should be starting up there within the next couple weeks. I can't really pinpoint when because I don't go there often and I'm not sure how the calm winter will affect the fishing. I do know that you want to be there once it turns on, after that, it's hard to get in there with the crowds. As far as the camping, I don't know of any except the campgrounds....

[Program]

Here is the program - 4-5 guys hoard the best spot(s). Once they limit they call their cronies on the cell, next guy shows up same thing.It is like shift work. It is nearly impossible to get in. Method Jig Jig Stop yank some in the mouth some in the belly. Yum.

[Program]

Here is the program - 4-5 guys hoard the best spot(s). Once they limit they call their cronies on the cell, next guy shows up same thing.It is like shift work. It is nearly impossible to get in. Method Jig Jig Stop yank some in the mouth some in the belly. Yum.

[jdino]

What's the fishing like from a boat near the spillway? If you can't get a spot on land, wouldn't fishing from a boat be all that much better?

[jdino]

What's the fishing like from a boat near the spillway? If you can't get a spot on land, wouldn't fishing from a boat be all that much better?

[eyeking]

Good point. I've only ever fished the lake from a boat.
Is it literally right at the spillway (below the carp) that is the only good spot, or can you go out in front of the spillway that is best accessed by boat. I though the onion fields were a good spot in early season.

Thanks for all the responses.

[eyeking]

Good point. I've only ever fished the lake from a boat.
Is it literally right at the spillway (below the carp) that is the only good spot, or can you go out in front of the spillway that is best accessed by boat. I though the onion fields were a good spot in early season.

Thanks for all the responses.

[Noah 1]

Yeah, you can get a boat in there, but like I said, once word is out, it gets pretty packed (even with boats). If you read the reply by Program, that pretty much hits the "nail on the head." If you go by boat, put in at Linesville. There's a wall of large rocks, some submerged, about 25-30 yds out from shore. It's wide enough to get through but you got to watch. You can also wade off these. Good luck and don't take no **** from the locals who think they own it....

[Noah 1]

Yeah, you can get a boat in there, but like I said, once word is out, it gets pretty packed (even with boats). If you read the reply by Program, that pretty much hits the "nail on the head." If you go by boat, put in at Linesville. There's a wall of large rocks, some submerged, about 25-30 yds out from shore. It's wide enough to get through but you got to watch. You can also wade off these. Good luck and don't take no **** from the locals who think they own it....

[northstar]

Im a local and dont think I own anything.I catch and release always nave always will O yea I never fish the spillway I like a challenge.Walleyes have started at the spillway wear your elbo pads. :rotfl

[northstar]

Im a local and dont think I own anything.I catch and release always nave always will O yea I never fish the spillway I like a challenge.Walleyes have started at the spillway wear your elbo pads. :rotfl

[Noah 1]

Norhtstar, I wasn't refering to you. Just giving some advice to Eyeking. I don't fish the spillway either. Tried a few times when I was new to the lake and couldn't deal with the crowds. I too like a challenge. I've seen too many "anglers" catch(snag) their limits (and then some). It's a tough subject to talk about. There is always someone who takes offense.....

[Noah 1]

Norhtstar, I wasn't refering to you. Just giving some advice to Eyeking. I don't fish the spillway either. Tried a few times when I was new to the lake and couldn't deal with the crowds. I too like a challenge. I've seen too many "anglers" catch(snag) their limits (and then some). It's a tough subject to talk about. There is always someone who takes offense.....

[northstar]

No offense taken. Some locals do think since they are 12 mounths 365 a year that they have some sort of rightaway and they dont.

[northstar]

No offense taken. Some locals do think since they are 12 mounths 365 a year that they have some sort of rightaway and they dont.

[shadowman]

its sorta like the 1st day of trout at the spillway.......if you can get the boat in there are plenty of other spots to fish that will produce fish but with way less traffic around you.

[shadowman]

its sorta like the 1st day of trout at the spillway.......if you can get the boat in there are plenty of other spots to fish that will produce fish but with way less traffic around you.

[Noah 1]

Agreed. By the way Tom, were you able to put your boat in last weekend?

[Noah 1]

Agreed. By the way Tom, were you able to put your boat in last weekend?

[shadowman]

noah, i didn,t but there were several places where i think you could have on the south end ohio side.........fishing whould have been limited but i do think you could have if you wanted, going up this coming weekend and gonna see but if the temps hold it just might be fishable.

[shadowman]

noah, i didn,t but there were several places where i think you could have on the south end ohio side.........fishing whould have been limited but i do think you could have if you wanted, going up this coming weekend and gonna see but if the temps hold it just might be fishable.

[rapala11]

tom, if the weather does hold, i plan on wading sunday night. it is just a tad early, but we would pick up bigger fish earlier. as for the spillway, back in the 70s we used to fish the bridges on the causeway all night. i quit when i saw the so many belly-hooked fish were going into coolers. if i want to be shoulder-to-shoulder with others, i will go to a football game. man, i hate those crowds.........rap

[rapala11]

tom, if the weather does hold, i plan on wading sunday night. it is just a tad early, but we would pick up bigger fish earlier. as for the spillway, back in the 70s we used to fish the bridges on the causeway all night. i quit when i saw the so many belly-hooked fish were going into coolers. if i want to be shoulder-to-shoulder with others, i will go to a football game. man, i hate those crowds.........rap

[shadowman]

rap, i,m up for that i,ll stay in touch and i,ll know for sure thursday or friday AM i,ll get in touch and maybe we can meet somewhere.

[shadowman]

rap, i,m up for that i,ll stay in touch and i,ll know for sure thursday or friday AM i,ll get in touch and maybe we can meet somewhere.

[Noah 1]

It's the same now as back in the 70's. How come the State doesn't step in and do something about it? It's safe to say that greater than 50% of the fish caught early under the bridge and at the spillway are foul hooked. People say it's no big deal, but there's a lot of big adults taken from the lake during this time. Maybe, the alewives, decreased stocking numbers, and hot summers aren't the only things wrong with Pyme. I wonder if it would make a difference in the lake if the spillway and under the bridges were off limits during this short time that the walleye gather there. I'd like to see these fish get back out into the lake, they would be more challenging to catch in the open water...

[Noah 1]

It's the same now as back in the 70's. How come the State doesn't step in and do something about it? It's safe to say that greater than 50% of the fish caught early under the bridge and at the spillway are foul hooked. People say it's no big deal, but there's a lot of big adults taken from the lake during this time. Maybe, the alewives, decreased stocking numbers, and hot summers aren't the only things wrong with Pyme. I wonder if it would make a difference in the lake if the spillway and under the bridges were off limits during this short time that the walleye gather there. I'd like to see these fish get back out into the lake, they would be more challenging to catch in the open water...

[northstar]

Agreed Noah 1 these areas should be closed in spring. Its like being able to hunt in deer park.

[northstar]

Agreed Noah 1 these areas should be closed in spring. Its like being able to hunt in deer park.

[jdino]

Even better yet, maybe walleye season should be closed from mid March to early May like PA has it. I know that Ohio shares water with PA but PA has the bigger part. I would hope that a little shared common sense would prevail and maybe this could be a start to getting the lake back to where it use to be. Just my 2 pennies worth.

[jdino]

Even better yet, maybe walleye season should be closed from mid March to early May like PA has it. I know that Ohio shares water with PA but PA has the bigger part. I would hope that a little shared common sense would prevail and maybe this could be a start to getting the lake back to where it use to be. Just my 2 pennies worth.

[rapala11]

j, not sure if it would really help. there is very little natural reproduction in the lake anymore. i have read less than ten percent. closing the season would have little impact on the populations. slot limits would let fish grow bigger, but not sure if this is the answer.

[rapala11]

j, not sure if it would really help. there is very little natural reproduction in the lake anymore. i have read less than ten percent. closing the season would have little impact on the populations. slot limits would let fish grow bigger, but not sure if this is the answer.

[jdino]

I agree, but even if it is 10%, that # could be increased by closing it during the spawn. A slot limit might help, but you would definitly need a bigger Fish Commission presence. I mean, what good would a slot limit do if the fish caught weren't checked? I've been checked only a few times in all the years that I fished the lake. I would hope that only legal sized fish get taken out but without some checking, who really know? It's a fishery that has been hit hard year after year. I guess over the last few years and from all the complaints, it's catching up to us to the point that something has to be done. What the answer is, I really don't know. Again, just my 2 pennies worth.

[jdino]

I agree, but even if it is 10%, that # could be increased by closing it during the spawn. A slot limit might help, but you would definitly need a bigger Fish Commission presence. I mean, what good would a slot limit do if the fish caught weren't checked? I've been checked only a few times in all the years that I fished the lake. I would hope that only legal sized fish get taken out but without some checking, who really know? It's a fishery that has been hit hard year after year. I guess over the last few years and from all the complaints, it's catching up to us to the point that something has to be done. What the answer is, I really don't know. Again, just my 2 pennies worth.

[Noah 1]

It couldn't hurt. With a low reproduction rate, it'll allow those fish at least the chance to get back out into the lake. I'd like to see it happen. Of course, if it would make a difference, we wouldn't see it for maybe 5 years or so. As my eight year old grows older, I'd like to see him enjoy the lake like I have...