"When we sample the Mon, we always collect a few nice walleyes," Jim Hederick noted. "Below the dam in Morgantown we find walleyes up to 8 pounds. We usually find a few in the 6-pound range as well."

Sauger and walleye populations, like the Ohio River, are at the mercy of nature, which has not been exceptionally kind in recent years. Still, enough fish should be present in tailrace and creek mouth areas to warrant attention from anglers.

Monongahela River boat access areas can be found in Morgantown, Star City and Uffington.