Crazy weather, finicky fish, low water and litter galore all add up to a great deal of frustrations for anglers ready to rev up their 2021 fishing season.

Troll through the various social media and you’ll no doubt notice reports about the on-and-off rhythm of the fishing so far, certainly a result of the weather swinging between nasty cold and balmy warm. The fishing will be on the upswing for a few days, then anglers will experience a setback when the mercury plummets and the wind howls.

You also will notice considerable commentary about the thoughtlessness of anglers who leave their trash around shoreline fishing locations, making it ugly for anglers who will next visit those spots. Clean-up seems impossible and the eyesores continue.

For some anglers, the temptation is to surrender and stay home until the weather is stable and the litterbugs’ numbers dwindle when the shoreline bite wanes.

Many, however, have no quit in their fishing souls. They march to the water with rods rigged, bait in hand and an eagerness that is the hallmark of those who love fishing in the springtime.

It’s no wonder we love April in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. The beautiful days outnumber the bad ones and the fishing — even on slow days — is usually much better than during the balance of the year.

Perhaps your memories include glorious April days in years past at Mosquito Lake or Pymatuning, Milton, West Branch or Berlin when the breeze was light and the sky was blue with puffball clouds to diffuse the sunlight to the perfect illumination that almost begs the fish to bite.

Does your nose remember the scent of the woods and marshes that rim our lakes? It smells like fishing, right?

The third weekend in April is when the wetlands in our region really begin to come alive. The blackbirds sing, the geese nest and the peepers join the chorus as the sun’s evening beams put warmth in the swamps.

The woods and the waters and all the life they sustain are peaking now and a little crummy weather and few inconsiderate people aren’t going to ruin it for those who are bound and determined to soak up some sunshine and catch a few crappies, walleyes and bass.

All of our region’s waters are beginning to offer spring’s finest fishing. Those who adjust to the fickle weather and low water levels will find their fish.

Walleye anglers are working hard at Mosquito, Pymatuning and Berlin as the fish are beginning to move toward their late spring and summer locations.

Crappie fishers are beginning to hit full stride at all of the local reservoirs as the fish are charging toward shallow water cover. The bass crowd is experiencing great fishing at Mosquito. Even Berlin Reservoir, typically a late bloomer, is yielding good catches of largemouth bass.

Muskie anglers are beginning to connect with big fish at the Youngstown-Warren area’s premier waters, West Branch and Milton. Will this be the year you catch a 25-pounder?

April is such a great time to go fishing. Conditions aren’t always perfect, but the trend is improving and the upcoming weeks will provide great opportunities to enjoy the finest action of the year.