By Kevin Yokum

Good news for early-season anglers. The Ohio River rocks! Serving up some of the Mountain State's best early-season fishing opportunities, anglers won't want to miss out on this year's fabulous Ohio River tailwater action.

While angling on one of the Ohio River tailwaters last February, I found myself in the midst of some exceptional sauger fishing. Seemingly, every angler on the shoreline was catching one sauger right after another. High catch rates on Ohio River tailwaters are nothing unusual, but big numbers aren't the only thing that keeps anglers returning to the Ohio River.

The river is famous for producing trophy fish. Every time an angler's rod tip arches downward, he might be hooked up to the trophy of a lifetime. A tally of West Virginia's Trophy Fish Citation program reveals that the Ohio River annually produces more trophy fish than any other West Virginia water.

Running from our state's Northern Panhandle all the way to its southwestern corner near Huntington, the Ohio River is West Virginia's largest body of water. Since the river forms the border between West Virginia and Ohio, a reciprocal agreement between the states allows residents from either state, who maintain a valid fishing license, to fish either shoreline. All regulations, creel limits, etc., apply to the state in which the angler is physically fishing, regardless of his license type.

The Ohio River is home to more species of fish than any other Mountain State water, but four game fish in particular serve as primary targets for tailwater anglers: hybrid striped bass, walleyes, saugers and catfish. Each of these highly sought-after species can be found on any Ohio Race tailrace, although some tailwaters seem to be better for certain species.

According to Division of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologist Frank Jernejcic, Willow Island is one of the best tailwaters on the Ohio River for catching a variety of species. While Willow Island is especially noted for its early spring sauger and hybrid striped bass fishing, anglers stand a great chance of landing catfish and walleyes as well. If you're looking for a mixed bag of prized game fish from the Ohio River, Willow Island Tailwater might be your best bet.

The Willow Island Tailwater does receive significant fishing pressure, particularly from anglers in the Morgantown and Fairmont areas. Substantial fishing pressure doesn't seem to affect fish behavior, but getting a prime fishing spot along the bank can occasionally be challenging.

Anglers looking to launch a watercraft will find suitable boating access to the pool near the SR 14 bridge in Williamstown.

West Virginia and Ohio have a reciprocal license agreement while fishing on the Ohio River, but anglers must obey the regulations of the state they are fishing from. If you're fishing from the Ohio side, then Ohio regulations prevail. Photo by Ron Sinfelt

The thing I really find appealing about fishing the Racine Tailwater and areas farther downstream is that the Racine Pool's 30-plus miles are not heavily developed like most of the river. I like to fish in tranquil environments and on the Ohio, this area is about as peaceful as it gets.

Racine is best known for hybrid and sauger fishing early in the year, although channel catfish and walleyes are also readily available. For anglers looking for river quarry other than the "big four," drum and other less notable sportfish always seem to be abundant in the Racine Tailwater.

High water on the Ohio is no problem because fishing on the Racine Tailwater is better when water levels are above normal. Sportfish, including hybrids and saugers, move in close to shore during high-water events making prime targets for shoreline anglers. However, when water levels get too high to fish on the Ohio side, there is a parklike area on the West Virginia side that is really productive.

Anglers looking for the Racine Tailwater will find it about five miles south of Racine along Ohio's SR 338.

In addition to good walleye and sauger fishing, Pike Island deserves some extra credit because it features some of the most modern facilities on the river, including an impressive fishing pier on the Ohio shoreline. This fishing pier was designed to be angler friendly and the structure lives up to its billing by offering prime fishing opportunities for lots of Ohio River anglers.

Just north of Wheeling, anglers can reach the Pike Island Tailrace by following SR 7. Additional access and facilities are located on the Ohio side of the river.