LAKE ERIE AND OTHER OHIO WATERWAYS NOTED AS 2005’S BEST SPOTS FOR REELING IN TROPHY-SIZED FISH “Fish Ohio” program recognizes trophy catches of 19 fish species Columbus, OH - Lake Erie and dozens of Ohio’s inland lakes were among the best places to reel in “Fish Ohio” catches during 2005, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The “Fish Ohio” program recognizes noteworthy catches among 19 fish species. With 2.25 million Lake Erie water acres, 451 miles of Ohio River, 40,000 miles of streams, and some 200 inland lakes and thousands of ponds, Ohio anglers have a wide range of opportunities to catch fish that qualify for the “Fish Ohio” recognition program. Among the state’s best “Fish Ohio” waters in 2005 were: LAKE ERIE: Top spot for walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass INLAND LAKES: Home of trophy saugeye and muskie PRIVATE PONDS: Best places for panfish, crappie, channel cat and largemouth bass Lake Erie topped the list for qualifying catches of channel catfish in a public waterway. The Ohio River, Hoover Reservoir, Maumee River, and Findlay Reservoir in Hardin County also proved to be hot spots for channel catfish. The top “Fish Ohio” lake for largemouth bass was Mogadore Reservoir, with Portage Lakes and Nimisila Reservoir - both in Summit County - and AEP ReCreations Lands ponds. During 2005, the “Fish Ohio” program recognized 11,990 anglers for trophy catches from Ohio and 39 other states. Each angler with a qualifying “Fish Ohio” catch receives a lapel pin. Certificates are available for download at ohiodnr.com/wildlife. The 2005 pin features a freshwater drum. The 2006 pin displays a yellow perch. There also is a Master Angler category for individuals who catch four “Fish Ohio” qualifying fish in a single year. The Master Angler pin is similar to the “Fish Ohio” pin, except it is gold in color. Since 1976, more than 370,000 anglers have been recognized for “Fish Ohio” catches. Applications to submit a “Fish Ohio” entry can be found online at ohiodnr.com/wildlife A hard copy of the form is available by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. The following is a list of species and the minimum length required to obtain “Fish Ohio” recognition: Brown Trout - 25 inches; Carp - 26 inches; Channel Catfish - 26 inches; Crappie - 13 inches; Flathead Catfish - 35 inches; Freshwater Drum - 22 inches; Hybrid Striped Bass - 21 inches; Largemouth Bass - 21 inches; Muskie - 36 inches; Northern Pike - 32 inches; Rainbow Trout - 28 inches; Rock Bass - 10 inches; Sauger - 16 inches; Saugeye - 21 inches; Smallmouth Bass - 20 inches; Sunfish - 9 inches; Walleye - 28 inches; White Bass - 16 inches; Yellow Perch - 13 inches.
Source: ODNR |