Fishing the falls of the Ohio

[Ohio_River_Rat]

In southern Indiana around Louisville and Jeffersonville has any fished below the dam. My dad and his uncle used to fish there when he was a kid and ive heard that there is pretty good fishing while the water is down. Has anyone fished there and has any tips or can tell me how to gain access for shore fishing?

[Salmonid]

Hey River Rat, I have been there one time, it is best accessed from the Indiana state park access. Or you can park around the overpass there just before you get into the park, either way, it will be a fair walk and wade to get to best water but it looked great, I only had an hour or so to check it out for next time ( I was in Louisville for work)
Looks like lots of chutes and plumes to fish, I imagine at low water, you can cross just about the whole park side of the water without getting your knee caps wet, Then hit these chutes and plumes, it looked really good. Please let me know if you ever hit it. Im curious how you did? Do you live close to there? I get to Louisville fairly often, several times a year and would love to have some fishing companionship to check out new water with.

Salmonid

[Ohio_River_Rat]

Yah mark thats about what i heard i live mabey 25 minutes away from the bridge to get to louisville but im still learnin spots to fish and thery're all from bank. Hopefully this year ill find more spots cause so far you best spot is mabye 30 minutes north of me. But sure we can do some fishin
thanks

[gargoil77]

I've lived about a mile away from the Falls all my life and have never fished there. Always been a creek/lake person. I have a friend that has fished there for years.m I can ask him (If I can remember) for any info he might have that would help ya'll out.

[Ohio_River_Rat]

Thanks alot gargoil. I'd appreciate that. What lakes and creeks do you fish around here? Have you ever thought of fishing the Ohio? Kinda seems like a shame to live so close to a catmagnet and never fish it.


Thanks alot zac

[gargoil77]

I fish the local lakes mostly. Deams mainly. Just because they are so close. I have a two man boat that really should be for one. I can load it and unload it myself. Creeks? Any. I like to wade and fish for anything that will hit a rooster tail. I do wade Blue River and Little Blue. I consider them creeks and not rivers. Just never really knew anyone that got out on the river to fish. Didn't fish much growing up because I had no one to take me unless we went camping. The only person I know now that gets on the river doesn't fish for nothing but bass and sauger and he gets on the river just to hit Silver Creek.

[Catfishhunter]

Ohio River Rat, I don't fish the falls that much because my boat is a deep vee. I have been up in them and the fishing can be outstanding when the waters is right. I think the water level has to be around 11 or 12 ft. below the dam before you can walk out on the fossil beds. Also, they need to be running around 2-5 ft. of dam on the upper to have current. If there is no current you might as well stay at home. Hope this helps...

[Ohio_River_Rat]

Yah that helps alot thanks

[catfish joe]

hey rat i know about where it is its been awhile since i fished but ugo to jeff take the road that runs along side the river u should see signs it a historical place u can park in the parking lot and walk down the hill i think they have stairs............ yes when the water is down there r some nice size hole to fish but just be carefull if the whistle blows u got about 1 min. before the flood gates open:0a26:

[wildcatter]

hey Rat, Me and my son fish the falls of the Ohio often and have found a great access just below the dam, with plenty of fishing bank and a boat ramp. If you need directions send me a message and i'll give them to you. It's halfway between Clarksville and New Albany.

[sam]

The DNR did post today from the Falls of the Ohio state park, and they do report that sauger fishing is good and picking up.

[derbycitycatman]

Would anybody be interested in getting together to fish there? Maybe we could get a bunch of us together there. Ive fished there a few times but have never had any luck from the bank, but I know its a great place to fish.

[wildcatter]

Derbycitycatman

just leave me a message whenever you want to go. My son really likes to fish there.

[gargoil77]

I would probably go. if schedule permits. I live less than a mile from there. Let me know when and I'll see.

[ScottWiseman]

I would probably go too...with enough notice. Long drive for me, but I have been wanting to fish it.

[gargoil77]

I just rememered something. We can't stay there over night. They close the park down I think around 10pm. Pretty strict about it too. There's another park on down the river about a mile I guess driving, that may not have a curfew. If I can remember, I'll check on it. There's a boat ramp and a replica of George Rogers Clark's cabin. I haven't a clue how the fishing is there. Never fished it.

[Catfishhunter]

I'm pretty sure if you tell the park ranger that you want to fish late they will let you...

[ScottWiseman]

I have heard that you can get a pass to put in your window to stay all night...can anyone confirm this?

[hoosiercat]

Park closes at 11p.m. Fishing is permitted with a fishing permit displayed in window after 11p.m. Permits are available at Interpretive Center at no charge. Interpretive Center is open Mon.-Sat. 9-5 & Sun. 1-5.

[Jroc777]

Good job hoosiercat. I was just about to post about the interprative center but you beat me to it.

[G3Morton]

I would like to maybe go and check this "Falls Of The Ohio" out sometime. But I have heard that it can be pretty tricky with large bolders and/or concrete? I also was told that if you didn't know where you was going you would probably end up hurting your boat/motor? Can anyone give me some insight on the do's and don'ts?

[gargoil77]

G3Morton you can walk out on the falls when the water is down. Thats how most people fish there. I'm not sure about taking a boat there. But walking out there is cool because you can see all the fossils. Lived around there most of my life and been tehre twice. never fished it. It's a shame.

[Skipjack]

I fish there all the time. I haven't caught many cats from there, but the Sauger fishing can be outstanding! I read on another fishing site that guys are catching big Sauger, now. The river level is right. Take 1/4 oz.or bigger jig head, put on a white curly tail grub and/or crappie minnow. Bounce it along the bottom for White bass, Hybreds, Sauger , and Skipjack !

[gargoil77]

Skipjack do you fish from a boat or on the falls? Do you eat the sauger that you catch? Fish from the Ohio scare me.

[G3Morton]

I have had walleye many, many times and would say that they are probably some of the best eating fish in the country.

I would rate sauger right up there with the walleye!!

[Skipjack]

I fish from the rocks. I use my best casting spinning rods with light line. I don't eat the fish, I enjoy catching them. If I do catch enough to fill a skillet, I take them to my friends who like to eat them.

[gargoil77]

Bass Pro In Clarksville is having a seminar Friday at 2pm about fishing at the Falls of the Ohio. Should be interesting and educational. I'm going to try to get off work early and go. Maybe I'll learn something from it and be more informative about it seeing I live less than a mile from there and never fished it.

[G3Morton]

I sure would like to go, but I work second shift and I start at 4 o'clock. No way I could make it back on time. But if anyone goes, take some notes for me, PLEASE.

[gargoil77]

Don't think I'm going to make it today. Can't get off work early enough.

[ScottWiseman]

I am fishing at the Falls next Sunday and Monday. Probably going to campout on Sunday night depending on the weather. Dont mind cold...but not cold and rain.

[gargoil77]

If I don't go camping next weekend then I may come down there Scott. Maybe I can buy you a beer/soda/tea at Hooters which is right down the road. I don't mind the cold either. But like you said, rain and cold I can't do either.

[ScottWiseman]

Sounds good....look for a white GrandAm with carp and PowerPro stickers on it...haha.

[gargoil77]

Will do. I'll let you know closer to the end of the week if I'll be there.

[derbycitycatman]

I would like to maybe go and check this "Falls Of The Ohio" out sometime. But I have heard that it can be pretty tricky with large bolders and/or concrete? I also was told that if you didn't know where you was going you would probably end up hurting your boat/motor? Can anyone give me some insight on the do's and don'ts?

I didnt see a response to this so Ill give my .02. Yes Ive heard the falls can be very tricky and dangerous if you dont know what your doing. If you anchor be able to pull up fast or just cut and run if it starts flowing hard or so ive been told. Theres supposed to be what they call the duck pond that is fantastic fishing. I havent fished there cause everyone tells me to go out with someone who knows the area first, they told me you have to find the route or something.

[ScottWiseman]

Well..since I am going to be bank fishing, anyone have any tips that have been there before? Anyone know what the level of the river is right now? I am planning on using skipjack and shad for the cats...

[rodpod]

Can one of you guys post some pictures of the falls? Id like to see what it looks like.

[Eric-t]

I've fished the fossil beds many times, mostley for sauger. Yes I eat them. The river is probably cleaner than most lakes due to increased restrictions. If you take a boat, be very careful. From the launch ramp up there are lots of rocks. Straight out from the ramp is a nice 40ft hole. The rivers up some right now, but dropping. Should be able to catch some blues out of that hole if you have skipjacks.Hope this helps. Good fishing.

[gargoil77]

Rodpod, I'll try to get down there sometime and gets some pics. I'm heading out to go camping today. Hopefully by the middle of next week I can get out there and get some for ya.