It’s April at Mosquito Lake, the month when anglers’ annual love-hate relationship with the reservoir’s healthy populations of walleyes and crappies is in full bloom.

People who love fishing know Mosquito is a super springtime fishing lake and are eager to get out on the water after the long, cold months of winter. But the fish aren’t always in the mood to cooperate.

Few people get such an up-close-and-personal perspective about the fishing as Mosquito State Park Marina operator Joe Sofchek. Many anglers stop at the shop in the morning for bait and up-to-date scoops, while many return during the day for sandwiches and snacks and to share their day’s experiences.

Based on the myriad of conversations he has every day at the marina, Sofchek gets a fairly reliable snapshot of the scene out on the water.

He says fishing has been up and down so far this April, which is entirely consistent with years past. Nevertheless, Sofchek hears grumbles and sad tales of woe from those whose days on the lake did not live up to their expectations.

“The walleye have been spotty so far this April, with some guys catching a few and others catching just one or two,” Sofchek said. “It hasn’t really picked up fast just yet, but of course we expect to see the walleye fishing continue to improve as spring advances.”

With the inconsistent fishing so far this spring, Sofchek has heard many complaints about the walleye. He said, however, that the walleye population is strong and continues to benefit from the annual work of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife personnel who strip eggs and sperm from adult fish to boost the walleyes’ spawning efforts.

“The ODNR says this spring was the best year ever for getting walleye eggs,” Sofchek said. “And the nighttime waders had a great season for walleyes casting Husky Jerks.”

He reported the water is a foot and a half below normal pool level due to the shortage of rain this spring. The beds of aquatic grasses are already coming up and the water is predictably clear thanks to the lack of precipitation.

No rain is forecast over the near term, so the water level is likely to stay low for at least a couple more weeks.

The low level has not put much of a hurt on the crappie fishing. Local anglers look forward with great anticipation to spring crappies. Mosquito is high on many people’s lists of favorite fishing holes.

“The crappies have turned on big-time at night,” Sofchek said. “The causeway is on fire after dark.”

Jigs tipped with minnows, maggots or Powerbait Crappie Nibbles are among the most productive offerings.

The number of people fishing Mosquito will increase exponentially as the weather continues to improve. Along with the crush of people comes the annual problem of litter at the popular access spots. The causeway, in particular, is plagued by trash abandoned by anglers too lazy to dispose of it properly.

Anglers are advised to do the right thing and clean up their areas when they go home.