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Alum Creek

Alum Creek at Africa (below Alum Creek Lake)

USGS gauge 03228805
Flow & gauge height
Shaded band = the river's normal range for the date; the line is actual flow
Fishability assessment
Awaiting live reading

Computing assessment…

Location
40.1823, -82.9616
Species activity
Likely-active fish for Alum Creek right now — typical central-Ohio seasonal patterns.
  • Active
    Smallmouth bass
    Prime season.
    Spin: Ned rigs, tubes, small crankbaits & inline spinners along rocky banks.
  • Active
    Largemouth bass
    Prime season.
    Spin: Plastic worms, spinnerbaits & squarebill crankbaits worked through cover.
  • Active
    Channel catfish
    Prime season.
    Spin: Not a typical lure fish; a scent-tipped jig worked slow in a hole can draw one.
  • Slow
    Saugeye
    Off-peak.
    Spin: Blade baits, swim jigs & curly-tail grubs near dams and seams.
  • Slow
    White bass
    Off-peak.
    Spin: Small spoons, Roostertails & curly-tail grubs — chase the schools.
On the menu right now
  • Peak
    Crayfish (soft-shell molt)
    Molting 'soft-craws' in summer are THE smallmouth meal — 1–2" youngsters by late July.
    Spin: Tubes, Ned rigs & craw-colored jigs dragged through rock.
    For: Smallmouth bass, Rock bass, Channel catfish
  • Peak
    Hellgrammites
    In the riffles year-round (2–5 yr larvae) — best in clean rocky streams like the Darby & upper Big Walnut.
    Spin: Black 3–4" plastics on a light jighead, ticked through riffles.
    For: Smallmouth bass, Rock bass, Channel catfish
  • Peak
    Damsel & dragonflies
    Summer's slow-water bug — fish ambush them around weed edges and slack pools.
    Spin: Small topwater poppers twitched near cover.
    For: Smallmouth bass, Rock bass, Largemouth bass
  • Active
    Leeches & worms
    Always on the menu, and the first thing washed in after any rain.
    Spin: 4" black curly-tail worms swam slow near bottom.
    For: Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Saugeye

Timing compiled from regional guide & hatch-chart sources — local conditions shift it by a week or two either way.

General guidance from seasonal & water-temp patterns — not a guarantee. Always check current Ohio fishing regulations and limits.