status of story lake or that area?????

[therechris]

I'm here in Fort Wayne, anyone know the status of Story or any others that distance around Fort Wayne?  Also I heard some guys talking about Walleye at the dam here in town, anyone know anything about that and when is the good time?

[crappie66]

No idea about Story Lake, haven't been up that way, and now when conditions are finally favorable I am busy all weekend.  Go Figure.

Which dam are you referring to for the walleyes?  Johny Appleseed, Cedarville, or the Anthony Street?

[Yogi]

I dont know. I live in fort wayne never heard about any walleyes being caught in the city.  I dont think I would waste my time fishing for those fish anyway.  There is no way in the world I would eat those fish.  I have seen some big catfish caught by the dam in Cedarville.  Heard about some big crappies too.  I never heard about any walleyes though..

Yogi

[crappie66]

I also live in Fort Wayne.  I have heard on numerous occasions of people catching walleye below the Johny Appleseed Dam and the Anthony Street Dam, also heard of big catches caught somewhere out by the old Southtown Mall.  In the spring right after ice out you can catch quite a few nice crappie and pike near the Johny Appleseed Dam.  I have caught nice messes of crappie and catfish out of Cedarville as well. 

I eat the fish out of Cedarville, haven't ate anything out of the rivers closer to the city, I am sure I would try them, the river waters really aren't that dirty, the water is just dark because of the dirt mixed in with the water.   In the spring I usually just go the Johny Appleseed Dam since it is so close, working second shift, I can drive over to the Johny Appleseed Dam in about 5 minutes fish for a couple hours and still be able to come home and do nothing to relax before going into work.  Many of the fish I have caught at the dam are now swimming out here in the pond/lake where I live.  The water is about 20 feet from my patio, but for some reason I just don't get as excited fishing for the fish out of the pond as I do out in public waters.

[taxi1]

Did you guys know at one time there were walleye big enough to make it in Field and Stream magazine's fishing contest out of the rivers in Ft. Wayne?

What surprised me once when the water level was really low is how much stone and gravel the bottom was composed of even though the water is usually turbid.

[crappie66]

I still hear stories of very large walleye out of the rivers each year.  Fishing from shore makes it hard to fish the turbid water below the Johny Appleseed Dam for the walleyes, you are guaranteed to lose quite a few jigs on the rocks once the current takes the jig for a ride.

I grew up in a house that was on the bank of the St. Mary's River in Fort Wayne, and some years when the water was low, drought years, you could walk across the river, and it was all sand and pebbles.  I didn't do it very many times because when my father finally caught us on the river bank without permission, and to top it off walking in the water, well let's just say I was in some deep trouble.  The stupid things you do when you are 10 years old.  Anyways, that is where I learned to fish, my parents didn't fish, so my neighborhood friends and myself would fish just about every day in the summer catching catfish, carp, bass, pike, and green sunfish.  We never caught any walleye there, but others who would fish under the bridge caught a few every now and then, and they were decent size fish.

[therechris]

I was referring mainly to Johnny Appleseed. I heard in 2-3 weeks it's good time for the pike also. I'm not concerned with the eating aspect, just a quick place to go fishing not to have to drive. Was told not to use my good lures because of so many snags you'll loose a lot. Any idea about where by Southtown?  Would try Cedarville but only boat I have is 12' with a 3.5hp and trolling motor, not sure if that would cut the current.

[chicagill34]

When we have the MS Bass Tourney at Cedarville in the summer, you can pretty much go all over with a bow mounter. Some small boats entered too, you should have no problem with your setup unless of high winds or very high water.....Hope this helps .....Me Fort Wayne Native Too............JP

[therechris]

Thanks for the info. I've never fished Cedarville, I'll give it a shot. What all is getting caught pretty descent out of there? Is there just the one public ramp? 

[chicagill34]

I heard there was 2 ramps but the only one I know is by the bridge right there. Far as fishing goes, I know there is some bass in there,its not a Bass haven but they are in there along with some Crappies,Sunfish,Catfish and Carp of course. Just watch for the shallow spots around some of the islands. Im not an expert on this place but I will share with you what I observed while I fished there.   Good Luck and take care   JP

[crappie66]

I heard there was 2 ramps but the only one I know is by the bridge right there. Far as fishing goes, I know there is some bass in there,its not a Bass haven but they are in there along with some Crappies,Sunfish,Catfish and Carp of course. Just watch for the shallow spots around some of the islands. Im not an expert on this place but I will share with you what I observed while I fished there.   Good Luck and take care   JP

The other ramp is next to the church, near where St. Rd. 1 makes the turn by that park on the corner.  I have caught a ton of LM bass out of there, fishing for crappie, and they are all pretty solid.