Ohio River Fishing Spot

• Elevation: 443'
• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 09/10/09 12:39 PM
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The Ohio River is the largest tributary by volume of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 981 miles (1,579 km) long and is located in the eastern United States. The halfway point of the river is marked by a monument in Cincinnati's Eden Park, called Navigation Point. The river had great significance in the history of the Native Americans. It was a primary transportation route during the westward expansion of the early U.S. It flows through or along the border of six states, and its watershed encompasses 14 states, including many of the states of the southeastern U.S. through its largest tributary, the Tennessee River. During the eighteenth century, it was the southern boundary of the Northwest Territory, thus serving as the border between free and slave territory. It is sometimes referred to as the "Mason-Dixon line" as it is commonly acknowledged as the western natural extension of the original Mason-Dixon line that divided Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia (and at one time part of Virginia) thus being the unofficial, and at times disputed, border between the Northern United States and the American South or upland South. Welcome to Perry County, Indiana, where the rolling hills along the Ohio River provide amazing views of natural beauty at its best! There is history, outdoor fun, and unique shopping and lodging opportunities. An outdoor lover’s paradise, there are several boat ramps on the Ohio River that provide great access for boating and fishing, and nearly 60,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest, and several lakes as well, for camping, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and much more. The Ohio River National Scenic Byway runs through the county as well. It provides some great bicycling and driving areas that take you through the small towns along the way that tell the story of the river, the county, and the culture of the area. The Ohio River is especially beautiful as it winds it's way southwest along Perry County. The construction of high lift locks and dams in the 1960's turned the river into a series of huge lakes with abundant fishing and boating opportunities. The county also is blessed with four beautiful lakes in the Hoosier National Forest. The river pool above the Cannelton Locks and Dam, for example, is essentially a 110-mile long lake, stretching northeast to Louisville. It is a favorite among bass fishermen who use the section of the river for tournaments. Rocky Point Marina , just above Cannelton, has 30 large tournaments schedule this year, plus a number of smaller informal tourneys will be headquartered at the facility. When the new locks and dams were constructed, the river level was raised, creating a series of embayments (flooded streams) off the river. These embayments provide excellent fishing, plus offer boating opportunities. Some of Perry County's best fishing embayments are: Oil Creek, Poison Creek, Bear Creek and Deer Creek. Oil, Poison and Deer all can be accessed from the Ohio, and anglers can make their way a number of miles up the meandering streams for fishing in areas with excellent structure. Oil Creek, for example, still has a lot of standing timber. Bear creek, near the small historic town of Rome, usually is not accessible from the river by boat due to siltation and brush in the creek; however, there is a boat ramp on the Bear Creek Bayou, on a gravel road just west of Rome. Sometimes it can be accessed by smaller boats when the river is above summer pool. The Ohio and the embayments are full of surprises. Anglers can catch a wide variety of fish. You may catch a small bluegill or battle a powerful, huge catfish. Some of Perry County's best fishing embayments are: Oil Creek, Poison Creek, Bear Creek and Deer Creek. Oil, Poison and Deer all can be accessed from the Ohio, and anglers can make their way a number of miles up the meandering streams for fishing in areas with excellent structure. Oil Creek, for example, still has a lot of standing timber. Bear creek, near the small historic town of Rome, usually is not accessible from the river by boat due to siltation and brush in the creek; however, there is a boat ramp on the Bear Creek Bayou, on a gravel road just west of Rome. Sometimes it can be accessed by smaller boats when the river is above summer pool. The Ohio and the embayments are full of surprises. Anglers can catch a wide variety of fish. You may catch a small bluegill or battle a powerful, huge catfish. The embayments probably are best known for their crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish fishing. Early spring and late fall are generally the best times for larger crappie. After spawning and as the water in the embayments warms, the larger crappie tend to move to deeper water and that usually means the river. However, crappie can be caught year round in the creeks. As crappie fishing wanes, bluegill fishing usually picks up. Bluegill action generally is best in the late spring and in the fall, but also can be caught anytime during the year. Catfish provide good summertime action, whether in the river, creeks or lakes. Many catfish are taken using rods and reels, and many are taken using trot lines. In fact some catfishermen come and spend a week and fill their freezer with filets to last the year. Largemouth bass fishing is good year round. Tournaments offering a prize or money for the largest bass usually are won with largemouth in the five- to seven-pound range. The former state record largemouth bass, and now the second largest ever caught in the Hoosier state, was taken from a Perry county farm pond. Caught by Warren Alexander, the lunker bass weighted 12 pounds, six ounces. Many anglers think largemouth only can be caught from the embayments; however, the Ohio itself provides good bass fishing, but usually the bass tend to run a bit smaller than in the creeks. Summer on the Ohio is the best time to catch tackle-busting striped bass below the dam at Cannelton. It isn't unusual for anglers to catch their limit of 10-15 pound fishing in two or three hours. Stripers can be taken by casting into the swift water using about three ounces of weight and a lure, or by trolling in the same general area. Winter is the best time to catch sauger (cousin of the walleye) in the Ohio. The water below the dam is one of the best sauger spots, but they can be caught almost anywhere in the river. A boat ramp is at Tell City at Seventh & Washington.

The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 981 miles (1,579 km) long and is located in the eastern United States.