Maumee River Walleye Run: Guide to the Largest Spawning Run in the Great Lakes

March 19, 2026

The Biggest Walleye Run in the Great Lakes

Every March and April, an estimated 500,000 or more walleye surge out of Lake Erie and up the Maumee River to spawn over gravel and rock shoals. This is the largest walleye spawning run in the Great Lakes basin and one of the most significant in North America. The run draws thousands of anglers per day at peak, lining the banks shoulder-to-shoulder from Perrysburg upstream through Waterville and Grand Rapids.

Where to Fish

The prime fishing stretches are concentrated in three areas along the Maumee:

• Side Cut Metropark (Maumee/Perrysburg): Easy access, heavy angler traffic, and consistent fish. The towpath trail provides miles of bank access.
• Bluegrass Island / White Street Access (Waterville): The most iconic spot on the run. Anglers wade out to the island when water levels allow. This is where you’ll see the famous wall-to-wall crowd photos.
• Providence Metropark / Grand Rapids: Upstream access with slightly fewer crowds. Rocky shoals here are prime spawning habitat.

2026 Regulations

For the 2026 season, the Maumee River walleye run is regulated with sunrise-to-sunset fishing only — no fishing before sunrise or after sunset in the designated Maumee River walleye run area. This is a change from previous years. Check the ODNR website for the exact boundary and date range.

The daily bag limit remains 6 walleye with a 15-inch minimum size.

Techniques

The Maumee run is a jig fishery. The standard rig is a heavy jig (3/8 to 3/4 oz) tipped with a white or chartreuse twister tail, cast upstream and bounced along the bottom through the current. Three-way rigs with a bell sinker and floating jig head also work well in heavy current. Use heavy line — 10- to 14-pound monofilament or braid — because snags are constant on the rocky bottom.

What to Expect

The run peaks when water temperatures hit 40-50 degrees, typically mid-March through mid-April depending on weather. On peak days, the crowd atmosphere is unlike any other fishery in the Midwest. Arrive early to secure a spot, dress in layers, and bring extra tackle — you will lose jigs to the rocks.