Photo by Jeff Knapp

Of the many angling opportunities found in West Virginia, perhaps none is as significant or diverse as that provided by the Ohio River. The Ohio River furnishes northern West Virginia anglers with a wealth of fishing options. From the numerous tailwaters areas, impounded pools and also the many backwater areas, something is happening 12 months of the year. During late winter, the best thing going is the fishing for walleyes and also saugers, their closely related cousins.

In response to the importance of the Ohio River as both a recreational and industrial resource, recently the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) put into effect a five-year management plan. The Ohio River Fisheries Management Plan, which presently runs from 2005 through 2009, addresses various issues that directly affect the angling community. This includes the stocking of various sport fish. A five-year information-gathering period was conducted before the creation of the plan, one that included significant public input.

Included in the list of fish to be stocked are largemouth bass (Willow Island Pool), smallmouth bass (Hannibal Pool), hybrid striped bass (the Willow Island Pool and pools upstream), paddlefish (all West Virginia pools of the river, excluding R.C. Byrd and Greenup) and also blue catfish (Belleville Pool and pools downriver). Walleyes are not missing from the list, as the plan calls for a maximum of 65,000 walleye fingerlings to be released annually into the Hannibal and Pike Island pools. Stocking rates are dependent on the availability of fish as well as river levels at the scheduled time periods designated for stocking.

The stocking of walleye fingerlings into these upper pools of the Ohio River is particularly exciting. New River-strain walleyes will be stocked, which is a strain of marble-eye that was isolated a few years ago by DNR biologists. As a fish that evolved in a riverine environment, it is hoped the New River strain is best suited for venues, such as the Ohio River. If this proves to be the case, the odds of successful natural reproduction increase. Ultimately, the Ohio River could harbor higher levels of wild (self-sustaining) walleye populations.

Starting last year, in response to the New River-strain stocking program, walleye bag limits have been reduced and minimum length limits increased. On the Ohio River, the West Virginia walleye bag limit is now two, with an 18-inch minimum length limit. The bag for saugers and saugeyes remains at 10 (in aggregate with walleyes) with no minimum size.

Saugers are found throughout the Ohio River and average about 12 inches long. They tend to be more streamlined than walleyes, and display more vivid mottled markings that extend below the lateral line. Saugers are missing the significant white tip on the tail that is found on walleyes.

Fish identification photos are included in the back of your 2007 Fishing Regulations booklet. Though they are no longer stocked in West Virginia waters, at least not in ones that drain into the Ohio River, saugeyes (a walleye and sauger hybrid) are a popular fish in neighboring Ohio and can be present in the river as a result of that source.