White bass

Season

• Spring: run up Big Walnut Creek (public access only — respect closures/property).
• Summer: open-water schools on shad — watch birds and surface activity.
• Fall: continue schooling until cool-down.
• Winter: deeper, less of a night focus.

Time of day

Dawn/dusk and whenever shad are busting. Night can produce under lights or moon when schools are up.

Where on Hoover

• Big Walnut Creek spring run — public banks/bridges only.
• Main-lake points and open water when schooling.
• Boat helps find schools; bank anglers watch windward points.

Water maps · ODNR depth PDF (2001 @ 894 ft)

Limits reminder — verify

Aggregate with hybrids/striped per ODNR Fishing Regulations 2026–27 — verify HuntFish OH.

Reminder only — confirm on HuntFish OH / ODNR licenses and the current ODNR regs before you keep fish. Cite: ODNR Fishing Regulations 2026–27 (verify current).

Gear

Sized for bank reality and ≤10 hp boats — Hoover is a drinking-water reservoir.

• Medium-light spinning, small spoons, jigs, small swimbaits.
• Boat: follow birds / graph; bank: cast to breaking fish.

Bait & presentation

• White jigs, small spoons, inline spinners, soft jerkbaits.
• Match shad size — downsize when picky.

Notes

ODNR Hoover: white bass spring run up Big Walnut Creek; schools chasing shad. Aggregate limit with hybrid/striped.