Ohio River Fishing

[Catmanmike]

Planning a trip to O'bannon Woods State Park over Memorial Day weekend. I was hoping to get some pointers from some of you Ohio River regulars. Anybody got any info on fishing around the Blue River Islands area? We're hoping to catch some catfish, sauger, and maybe some strippers. I appreciate any info I can get as I've never fished on that section of the Ohio before. Thanks!

[MsgMills]

Where exactly is this Blue River Islands area your talking about? Is this the Levenworth, Indiana area I know of or some place else on the river? Need more input for # 5 is alive.....Need input...need input....#5 is alive....lol

[fish4food]

Catfishing is such a waste of time. If your in Kentucky you need to fish for big Bass or monster Crappie.

[riverrat12]

Catfishing is such a waste of time. If your in Kentucky you need to fish for big Bass or monster Crappie.

That's funny stuff right there considering some of the cats I catch could eat you big bass or monster crappie...funny....Sorry you hit a nerve.

[Fishhead]

Catfishing is such a waste of time. If your in Kentucky you need to fish for big Bass or monster Crappie.

OK Fish4food, not sure if your being sarcastic or really serious regarding your advice.

If your making a joke of it then Ha ha ha, thats a good un!! A real knee slapper!!!!

If your serious - seek help ASAP for that God complex of yours, Mom must have dropped you on your head a time or two!!


Hey Catmanmike, not sure about that end of the river but if your after Channel cats just find a leeway or a current break after the islands, with a little bit of depth (8-20ft) and throw out some chicken livers. The livers will put you on some Channels and maybe even some Hybrids. Caught many a Hybrid below Meldahl dam on livers.

Another good bet for Flatheads will be big snags. Sometimes trees and other debris will float in behind the current breaks or even cause the current breaks. These big snags are prime spots for big Flatheads but you may want top switch over to shad or skipjacks for the really big flats.

If your going to eat them I would stick to the smaller ones in the 3-5lb ranges. Less time for them to pick up some of the nasty in the river.

[grousegunner]

Catfishing is such a waste of time. If your in Kentucky you need to fish for big Bass or monster Crappie.

I havn't been on this forum long, but it's nice to see that we have atleast one real prick on here that seems to know what everyones favorite fishing should be. If I'm not mistaking, this is "fishin.com" not "bass-n-crappie.com".

[fisheater]

I cant beleive people actually fish that river'YUCK'.........You wouldnt catch me dead out there having a blast catching a bunch of nice ones while enjoying a few suds...No thanks..........lol.
Oh by the way Chuck dont get all high class on us with that new boat when we stop and see ya.

[riverrat12]

I cant beleive people actually fish that river'YUCK'.........You wouldnt catch me dead out there having a blast catching a bunch of nice ones while enjoying a few suds...No thanks..........lol.
Oh by the way Chuck dont get all high class on us with that new boat when we stop and see ya.

John, I might even get a hair cut...aaaaaah well maybe not.lol Good to here you and Doug had a good time down at the hollow and, Oh that nasty ole river is gettin right. Chuck

[fisheater]

Lol,haircut and dinner jacket drinking whiskey with your pinky stickin out...lol.Yea we had a heck of a time down there,that place always amazes me with the quality.Im ready for my river to start to cooperate again.It wont be long.

[riverrat12]

I'm with you on that one John, And Catman, Fishhead is right on the only thing I might add , for channels go to your local grocery store and ask for there oldest white or pink shrimp,no tiger they sometimes will give it to you. And take along raddletraps,roostertails, and plenty of jigs with an asst. of colors and you should be fine. Chuck

[Catmanmike]

Where exactly is this Blue River Islands area your talking about? Is this the Levenworth, Indiana area I know of or some place else on the river? Need more input for # 5 is alive.....Need input...need input....#5 is alive....lol

Yes. I'm actually going to be camping at O'bannon Woods S.P. Which is near Levenworth, IN. Sure would appreciate any info you might have!
Thanks!

[LJWrench]

The two Blue River islands are not islands anymore. When they built the Cannelton Lock and Dam the islands eroded away. I almost got my boat stuck on the upper island last summer when the water was low. I usually fish Blue River or around the mouth of it. I've caught some small stripers and sauger there on rat-l-traps. Haven't had much luck with bass there. I've seen some guy's take some big catfish from the holes in the main river. Never tried it myself. Be careful if you try and launch at the ramp where the iron bridge is off of SR-62 on Blue River. I've launched there before but it can be tricky. I'd use the one in Leavenworth. A lot better. O'bannon is a great place to camp. Just don't camp in the back where the horse campground is. Gets kinda smelly if the wind is blowing the right way.