Great Miami River
The Great Miami River (also called the Miami River) is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 150 miles (240 km) long. The Great Miami flows through Dayton, Piqua, Troy, and Sidney.
The river is named for the Miami, an Algonquian-speaking Native American people who lived in the region during the early days of European settlement.
Upper River Section - TWP-49 to Indian Lake
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Walleye, Channel Catfish, some Musky and Carp.
Access Points and Maps: In Shelby County, starting with and heading upstream, TWP- 49, TWP-135, Main Ave. Sidney, State Route 29, State Route 47, Pasco Montra Rd., Port Jefferson, Canal St., Pence Rd., Tawawa Maplewood Rd., Logan Shelby Rd. In Logan County State Route 235, State Route 47, TWP-21, TWP-207, TWP-13, State Route 274, State Route 235, State Route 720, Indian Lake Dam. You can get a map with the most current information from the Miami Conservancy District at https://www.mcdwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GMR-WebMap-2017e.pdf. This map covers all areas referenced on this page.
Flies: Nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, Caddis nymphs and Hellgrammites, all work well on the Great Miami. Surface flies, like Sneaky Pete’s, Deer Hair Poppers, and Caddis patterns, along with terrestrial’s like grasshoppers, ants, and cricket patterns make a good choice during the summer. Streamer patterns imitating minnows, shiners, and Sculpins work using a sinking or floating line. Other productive patterns are San Juan worms, crayfish patterns, leeches and frogs.
Equipment: 8’ to 9.5’ fly rods in #5 – #8 weights are best. Leader and Tippets in sizes 3x – 4x and 5x are recommended.
Seasons and Miscellaneous Information: The season is from April to October for most of the species found in the Great Miami River. However, Walleye and musky are in this stretch and some late fall and early fishing is available. Most of this section is private property and permission should be sought by the landowner. However, you can float parts of this section as the bridges are state property and access should not be an issue.
Middle River Section - Little York Rd. to YWP-49
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Carp.
Access Points and Maps: In Montgomery County, Starting with and heading up stream, Little York Rd., State Route 40 Taylorsville Dam, Old Springfield Rd.. In Miami County State Route 571, Tipp Elizabeth Rd., State Route 41, N. Market St., Adams St., Eldean Rd., Farrington Rd., Bridge St., Garmsay St., Main St., State Route 36, Country Highway 25A, Lockington Rd. In Shelby County E. Lockington Rd., TWP – 49.
Flies: Nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, Caddis nymphs and Hellgrammites, all work well on the Great Miami. Surface flies, like Sneaky Pete’s, Deer Hair Poppers, and Caddis patterns, along with terrestrial’s like grasshoppers, ants, and cricket patterns make a good choice during the summer. Streamer patterns imitating minnows, shiners, and Sculpins work using a sinking or floating line. Other productive patterns are San Juan worms, crayfish patterns, leeches and frogs.
Equipment: 8’ to 9.5’ fly rods in #5 – #8 weights are best. Leader and Tippets in sizes 3x – 4x and 5x are recommended.
Seasons and Miscellaneous Information: The season is from April to October for most of the species found in the Great Miami River. Most of this section is private property and permission should be sought by the landowner. However, you can float parts of this section as the bridges are state property and access should not be an issue.
City of Dayton River Section – Springboro Pike to Little York Rd.
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Carp
Access Points and Maps: In Montgomery County, Starting with and heading upstream, Springboro Pike, W. Stewart St., Washing St., 4th St., 3rd St., Salem Ave., N. Main St., Riverside Ave., Helena St., N. Kewoee St., Needmore Rd., Pip Rap Rd., Rip Rap Rd., Little York Rd.
Flies: Nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, Caddis nymphs and Hellgrammites, all work well on the Great Miami. Surface flies, like Sneaky Pete’s, Deer Hair Poppers, and Caddis patterns, along with terrestrial’s like grasshoppers, ants, and cricket patterns make a good choice during the summer. Streamer patterns imitating minnows, shiners, and Sculpins work using a sinking or floating line. Other productive patterns are San Juan worms, crayfish patterns, leeches and frogs.
Equipment: 8’ to 9.5’ fly rods in #5 – #8 weights are best. Leader and Tippets in sizes 3x – 4x and 5x are recommended.
Seasons and Miscellaneous Information: The season is from April to October for most of the species found in the Great Miami River. Access to the river can be obtained at most of the bridges; the river is larger than it appears from the bridges. The river is very wade able in this section and floats are easy because of all the access points.
Lower River Section - Dayton to Middletown Rd.
Species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Carp
Flies: Nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails, Prince nymphs, Caddis nymphs and Hellgrammites, all work well on the Great Miami. Surface flies, like Sneaky Pete’s, Deer Hair Poppers, and Caddis patterns, along with terrestrial’s like grasshoppers, ants, and cricket patterns make a good choice during the summer. Streamer patterns imitating minnows, shiners, and Sculpins work using a sinking or floating line. Other productive patterns are San Juan worms, crayfish patterns, leeches and frogs.
Equipment: 8’ to 9.5’ fly rods in #5 – #8 weights are best. Leader and Tippets in sizes 3x – 4x and 5x are recommended.