fishing

youth

recreational activities

Two eyes and a wiggle

sbradford — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:09:26 +0000

Two eyes and a wiggle

March 1, 2025

Do you like to fish? Me too. As a kid, one of my earliest memories was of sitting beside a pond fishing for bluegills with my father. As he instructed me, I stared intently at the small, round, red-and-white bobber floating on the surface of the water a few feet in front of us, willing it to move. When it finally danced sideways, Dad quickly issued further advice. “Let it go all the way under before you begin to reel.” The excitement of watching that bobber slowly descend into the depths is a thrill I’ve never forgotten. I’ve been hooked ever since. — Chip

The responsibility of making sure that the Buckeye State’s public lakes, rivers, and streams are full of fish for Ohio’s 2 million anglers is the job of the Division of Wildlife of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. One of Ohio’s oldest state agencies, the division was created in 1873 (then named the Ohio Fish Commission) in response to declining native fish populations.

As a result, fish hatcheries were built throughout the state, and since then, more than 2.7 billion fish have been stocked in Ohio's waters — 41 million last year alone. Many of those fish are stocked as fry, no bigger than “two eyes and a wiggle,” as fishery biologists term it. Those fry quickly grow into fingerlings, then yearlings, and eventually adults.

“The majority of Ohio’s fish populations are sustained through natural reproduction,” says Chris French, fish hatchery program administrator. “However, stocking expands and diversifies fishing opportunities in waters where existing habitats don’t support some fish populations. Stocking is only one of many fish management tools used by the Division of Wildlife to improve angling.”

Six state fish hatcheries are operated by the division, and if you’ve ever wondered what magic is involved in raising fish for stocking, here’s an opportunity to peek behind the curtain: Each of the hatcheries hosts an open house each spring. The events are very popular with the public, especially families with kids. In short, you’re invited, so find a fish hatchery near you and check it out.

All of the open houses are held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a Saturday. If you can’t make any of the scheduled dates, self-guided hatchery tours are conducted during normal business hours, and educational tours can also be arranged.

“The funding for Ohio’s state fish hatcheries comes from the sale of Ohio fishing licenses and the Sport Fish Restoration Act,” French says. “Enacted in 1950, the Sport Fish Restoration program provides funding for sport fish conservation through federal excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats, and a portion of the gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats.”

If you’re new to fishing, or maybe would like to give it a try again, the annual Free Fishing Days weekend is scheduled for June 14–15, when no fishing license is required of Ohio residents. But don’t be surprised if you’re the one who gets hooked. Note: Kids under 16 years of age are never required to have a fishing license in Ohio.

W.H. “Chip” Gross is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor. Email him with your outdoors questions at whchipgross@gmail.com. Be sure to include “Ask Chip” in the subject of the email. Your question may be answered on www.ohiocoopliving.com!

Ohio’s 2025 state fish hatchery open houses

March 22: St. Marys State Fish Hatchery, 01735 Feeder Road, St. Marys, 45885.
Fish species: saugeye, walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish, blue catfish.
April 5: Hebron State Fish Hatchery, 10517 Canal Road SE, Hebron, 43025.
Fish species: blue catfish, bluegill, walleye, saugeye. A kids’ fishing pond will also be available.
April 5: Senecaville State Fish Hatchery, 57199 Senecaville Dam Road, Senecaville, 43780.
Fish species: saugeye, walleye, channel catfish, hybrid-striped bass, bluegill.
April 12: Castalia State Fish Hatchery, 7018 Homegardner Road, Castalia, 44824.
Fish species: rainbow trout, steelhead trout.
April 12: Kincaid State Fish Hatchery, 7487 State Route 124, Latham, 45646.
Fish species: rainbow trout, hybrid-striped bass, muskellunge.
May 3: London State Fish Hatchery, 270 Roberts Mill Road, London, 43140.
Fish species: rainbow trout, brown trout, muskellunge. A kids’ fishing pond will be available.

Tags

wildlife

Reviving the lake life

sbradford — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 17:46:34 +0000

Reviving the lake life

June 1, 2024

Jodi Borger

Features

Nestled in the heart of Ohio, Buckeye Lake and Grand Lake St. Marys each faced near-devastating challenges over the last decade or two that brought their once-thriving “lake life” — and all the recreational and economic benefits that come with it — to a standstill.

The pictures, and the outlook, were bleak. But now, thanks to the dedication and collaborative efforts of their local communities, both are witnessing a resurgence, bustling with new growth and opportunity for Ohioans and out-of-staters alike.

Engineering disaster

Buckeye Lake, a 3,100-acre lake located 30 miles east of Columbus, was formed from swampland left by a retreating glacier more than 11,000 years ago — though its current form is human-made: A dike constructed to block the Licking River in the 1820s filled the reservoir, which served as a feeder for the Ohio and Erie Canal.

Throughout the first half of the 1900s, Buckeye Lake reigned as the premier destination for leisurely outdoor activities in central Ohio. Its amusement park, complete with Ferris wheel and roller coasters, enticed younger visitors, while others boated, sunbathed, or just lounged around the lake. By the 1940s, as many as 50,000 people per day came calling, and show business superstars like Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, and Frank Sinatra played shows in its huge dance halls. Buckeye Lake became the first of Ohio’s canal lakes to be named a state park in 1949.

“Buckeye Lake has always been Ohio’s playground,” says Jonett Haberfield, executive director of Visit Fairfield County. “It’s centrally located, a really good place to escape from the city.”

The amusement park closed in 1970, but the lake region remained a popular destination for those in search of that lake life. In 2015, however, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a report that warned of an “imminent catastrophic failure” of the 1820s earthen dam that held back its waters.

“They drained the lake while they repaired that dam, and that was a dark time when people were worried about their property value and selling their homes. Businesses closed. No one really knew what the future would bring,” says Haberfield.

The project to rebuild the dam was supposed to last until 2020 and cost $150 million, but finished nearly two years early and $43 million under budget. Now, after several ensuing years of economic development, Buckeye Lake has regained its life as an enjoyable escape, drawing visitors from across the region, and it is thriving.

Central to the revitalization efforts is the collaboration among Fairfield, Perry, and Licking counties, which surround the lake. Much of the land area nearby is served by electric cooperatives — Lancaster-based South Central Power Company to the west and south, The Energy Cooperative of Newark to the east and northeast, and Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative a little farther to the east.

The Buckeye Lake Regional Corporation has facilitated discussions and initiatives aimed at promoting the area as a premier destination. That concerted effort has fostered a sense of community pride and unity among those who live there.

“It’s been an amazing change,” Haberfield says. “There are a lot of new property owners, new business owners, and new enthusiasm about the lake as a tourist destination. You don’t even have to be on the water to enjoy the experience of Buckeye Lake. I enjoy sitting along the shoreline at the winery and watching people enjoying all the activities the lake has to offer. Everyone is in vacation mode.”

Why visit?

Visitors to Buckeye Lake can enjoy all kinds of water-based activities: fishing, kayaking, swimming, boating, and the like. Additionally, Buckeye Lake offers plenty of activities beyond the water. Weldon’s Ice Cream Factory is a local tradition, drawing visitors for its delicious homemade treats. Buckeye Lake Winery, established over a decade ago, is a popular venue for weddings and events. New restaurants have recently opened that have added to the already diverse culinary scene, attracting patrons seeking an upscale atmosphere. Residents from neighboring communities now frequent the area during the week because of the unique dining experiences. Live music can be heard at numerous venues nearly every night throughout the summer, and an increasing number of businesses now remain open during once-dormant winter months. Winterfest, held at the end of January and organized by the Buckeye Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, has become a highlight of the winter season.

Environmental nightmare

Grand Lake St. Marys, located in Mercer and Auglaize counties, was constructed in the mid-1800s as a feeder lake for the Miami-Erie Canal. Even at more than 13,000 acres, Ohio’s largest inland lake wasn’t designed with any recreation in mind. In fact, the only commercial activities on the reservoir for its first several decades included ice harvesting (a necessity in an era before electricity and refrigeration) and commercial fishing. For a brief period, the lake even hosted oil derricks, marking a pioneering moment as Grand Lake St. Marys became the site of the world’s first offshore oil drilling rigs.

With the addition of railroads in the early 1900s, the necessity for canals diminished, prompting a shift in how Grand Lake St. Marys was utilized. A sizable amusement park sprouted up on the lake’s eastern shore. A vibrant concert and dance hall appeared at the northwest corner. Cabin resorts and campsites surrounded the lake’s expansive 52-mile shoreline. Grand Lake St. Marys was officially designated as an Ohio State Park in 1949.

However, Grand Lake has had its ups and downs throughout the years, and as early as the 1960s, reports showed that the lake was eutrophic, meaning excessive nutrients — mostly fertilizer runoff from nearby farmland — could lead to algal growth. By the 1990s, the Ohio EPA declared the lake’s watershed as Ohio’s most degraded.

A watershed project for Grand Lake St. Marys formed in the late 1990s to start local planning for improvements, and the efforts, though voluntary, made a significant impact on the well-being of the lake.

However, in 2010, Grand Lake St. Marys suffered a large bloom of blue-green algae — which is actually a type of bacteria that produces toxins dangerous to people, animals, and fish. People were advised not to swim or even wade in the water, not to take boats out onto the lake, and not to allow pets near the shore.

“This spurred a lot of interest from state officials and local groups and got national attention,” says Theresa Dirksen, Mercer County agriculture and natural resources director. The lake’s reputation as a carefree summer playground was nearly destroyed.

The algal bloom of 2010 also spawned numerous groups tasked with improving the quality of the lake’s water.

The Lake Restoration Commission (LRC) consists of representatives from Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Mercer Soil and Water Conservation District, Wright State University, and surrounding communities including the cities of Celina and St. Marys and Mercer and Auglaize counties, among others. It works on plans to improve the lake directly with things like increased dredging, treatment trains, and new technologies.
Ag Solutions group, a grassroots effort by local farmers, focuses specifically on technologies and methods to improve manure management.
The Lake Facilities Authority (LFA) is a public entity consisting of the Mercer and Auglaize county commissioners that can accept grants, bid projects, own land, etc. The LFA has taken the lead on land acquisition to install treatment wetlands and natural spaces in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed.

In late 2011, the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed was officially declared “distressed” by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which set into motion a set of rules for certain livestock producers to follow, which are still in place.

“The methods that we have employed here to improve water quality are being looked at by so many others,” Dirksen says. “From my perspective, Grand Lake St. Marys has become a model watershed for all of Ohio, possibly even the U.S., to follow.”

And of course, with the improved quality has come a rebuilt reputation — and a revitalized economy. “Lake home prices are up and so is the number of visitors,” says Donna Grube, executive director of the Grand Lake Region Visitors Center. “The state park campgrounds reported a record number of guest nights in 2023, and we have set a new record for lodging tax collection. There is still work to be done, but the positivity of the situation, compared to a decade ago, is almost unbelievable.”

Why visit?

13,500-acre Grand Lake St. Marys and its numerous boat launches offer an expansive surface for activities like waterskiing, kayaking, tubing, and year-round fishing for bass, crappie, perch, bluegill, catfish, and walleye. But Grand Lake St. Marys also is surrounded by nearly 600 acres of lakeside parkland, where visitors can enjoy 10 miles of hiking, biking, and snowmobile trails, as well as swimming beaches and picnic areas. Birdwatching enthusiasts will find a diverse range of waterfowl and migratory birds. Lakeside festivals, concerts, races, and other events provide entertainment for visitors of all ages throughout the year. Local restaurants offer enticing cuisine and lakeside dining experiences, adding to the overall charm of the area. Lodging opportunities cater to all preferences and budgets, from rustic camping to luxury hotels with expansive lake views. Boardwalk Village opened in 2022, offering
the feel of resort lodging.

Tags

boating

recreational activities

Ohio attractions

Mohican country

sbradford — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:42:31 +0000

Mohican country

March 1, 2023

In 1896, a baby was born in Mansfield — a boy who would one day grow up to travel the world, become a writer, and win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1927, at just 30 years of age. He would then return to his hometown, purchase three adjacent rundown farms, and transform them into the conservation showplace called Malabar Farm, today known as Malabar Farm State Park. His name was Louis Bromfield.

Fifty-five years later, another baby boy was born in Mansfield who also grew up to be a writer. This one didn’t travel the world, nor did he win the Pulitzer Prize — at least not yet. But what he would do, like Bromfield, is fall in love with the beauty of the natural world, and particularly that area surrounding Malabar. OK, I’m sure you guessed: That second boy is me.

In his 1945 book titled Pleasant Valley, Bromfield wrote of the area:

It is a pleasant land all about you, valleys where the bottom land is rich, bordered by hills covered with wild and luxuriant forest, the whole filigreed with the silver of the streams called Switzer’s Run, Possum Run, and the Clear Fork; and far down lies the blue shield of Pleasant Hill Lake bordered by the deep red of sandstone bluffs and the blue black of hemlock trees.

Today, the area is labeled Mohican country by the tourism folks. It still appears much as it did during Bromfield’s time, and it’s my favorite part of the Buckeye State. It’s a fantastic place for a weekend getaway, relatively easy to access in southeast Richland County. Here are my suggestions for where to stay, where to dine, and what to do to experience a sense of why Bromfield so loved Malabar:

Where to stay: Other than a campground and single cabin — the Maple Syrup Cabin — Malabar Farm State Park has no overnight lodging facilities, so staying at nearby Mohican State Park is convenient. Mohican offers rooms and a restaurant at the lodge overlooking Pleasant Hill Lake, or cabins and campgrounds beside the Clear Fork of the Mohican River, a State Scenic River.

What to see: At Malabar, be sure to take the Big House tour to see Bromfield’s writing office, containing the custom-made desk he seldom used. He complained that the desk was too high for him, so instead he wrote at a small, folding card table. Bromfield was well connected with Hollywood, and you’ll hear the story of film legends Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall marrying at the farm and spending their honeymoon in the second-floor bedroom.

What to eat: Plan to have lunch or supper at Malabar Farm Restaurant just down the road from the entrance to the park. My wife and I consider it our favorite Ohio eatery. Gourmet meals are served on white tablecloths, but the atmosphere is casual, so blue jeans and hiking boots are more than acceptable. And no trip to Malabar is complete without making the short drive to the summit of Mount Jeez for a sweeping, panoramic view of the farm and Pleasant Valley. The scene is particularly stunning during the first blush of spring or the peak of autumn color.

What to do: Once back at Mohican, if you’d like to stretch your legs and do some hiking, park your vehicle at the covered bridge and take either of the two trails that parallel the Clear Fork River through the Clear Fork Gorge. Heavily forested, the sandstone gorge measures 1,000 feet across by 300 feet deep, and is recognized by the National Park Service as a Registered National Natural Landmark. Heading northwest, both trails eventually lead to the top of Pleasant Hill Lake Dam, providing spectacular views of the lake and spillway.

During summer, watersports are available on the lake, and several canoe liveries along the Black Fork of the Mohican River are located within a mile of Mohican’s main entrance. Think about scheduling your visit to coincide with Mohican Wildlife Weekend, held annually in late April, which offers many free outdoor activities at a number of area venues.

Oh, and one last thing. If you happen to have any influence with anyone serving on this year’s Pulitzer Prize committee, would you mind putting in a good word for me? It seems I’m rapidly running out of time.

Tags

Malabar Farm State Park

Gone fishing

sbradford — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:00:54 +0000

Gone fishing

May 1, 2022

If you’re an angler, at least once during your lifetime you must experience the unique, majestic beauty of a Lake Erie sunrise. No, not from shore, but rather from on the water — and preferably while skimming across the waves in a fast boat on your way to the latest fishing hot spot, anticipating a limit catch.

There is no better way to check that item off your piscatorial bucket list than fishing with Captain Julia “Juls” Davis, one of only a handful of women among the 800 licensed captains working as charter-fishing guides on Ohio’s great lake. She’s been fishing nearly all her life — she started when she was 4 — and professionally for the past 20 years. The first 10 of those pro years, Juls spent on the walleye tournament circuit; during the last decade, she’s been guiding full time.

“I enjoy teaching people, male or female, young or old, the sport of walleye and yellow perch fishing on Lake Erie’s Western Basin,” she says. “I probably average about 100 guiding trips per year, from the islands east to Huron, depending on where the fish are biting.”

A typical guiding day for Juls begins well before dawn. “I usually go to bed when most people are just sitting down to supper, so on a fishing day I’m up in the wee hours of the morning. That gives me plenty of time to drink a cup of coffee and shower, then gas up the boat and grab ice, bait, or other supplies before meeting my clients at the dock or picking them up at their motel before sunrise.”

Juls specializes in one-, two-, or three-person charters, estimating that about 75% of her clients are men. “The others are their wives or girlfriends, or sometimes a daughter,” she says. “The men usually want to learn a specific walleye trolling technique, whereas the families just want to be on the lake, have fun, and catch a few fish. Regardless, I put them all to work setting lines, reeling, and netting fish. Fishing with me is definitely a learn-by-doing participation sport.”

Every fishing guide has war stories, both humorous and not so much; Juls is no exception. “When I have three people on board with me, I have them take turns sitting near the bow of the boat and opening the fish cooler when we catch a fish so I can toss it in. One particular time when we caught a fish, I turned to throw it into the open cooler and for some reason the client inadvertently closed the lid just as the fish arrived. The walleye sailed through the air and back into the lake, probably wondering what just happened.”

How long does Juls plan to continue guiding? “As long as I’m physically able,” she says. “I’m somewhat of a recluse, so fishing is my social life. I enjoy the interaction with people, many of whom have become my friends through the years. Besides, I don’t think I’m qualified to do anything else except fish.”

To book a Lake Erie fishing trip with Juls Davis, visit www.julswalleyefishingadventures.com or call 419-835-7347. Her calendar books quickly; contact her soon to reserve your preferred date.

Juls' tools

Captain Julia “Juls” Davis has all the latest in fishing equipment, gear, and technology to make Lake Erie fishing trips safe, enjoyable, and productive:

21-foot Ranger model 621 FS tournament-style fiberglass boat
400-horsepower Mercury Verado outboard motor
15-horsepower Evinrude trolling motor
Minn Kota electric motor
Humminbird electronics

Tags

Lake Erie

Ohio activities

Something fishy

aspecht — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 17:39:47 +0000

Something fishy

June 2, 2021

In February, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) turned 150 years old, and to celebrate its sesquicentennial, it has released a new book of its many finny accomplishments titled America’s Bountiful Waters.

A compendium of all things piscatorial, the book details the long history of fisheries management in the U.S. and highlights many of the service’s most well-known employees — including two Ohioans who are prominently featured: Bob Hines and James Henshall.

Henshall (1836–1925) is known as the father of bass fishing in the U.S. He was born in Maryland and moved to Cincinnati after graduating high school. He finished medical studies in 1859, just in time for the Civil War, and promptly joined the Union Army medical corps. One of his most memorable adventures was a run-in with Morgan’s Raiders, a Confederate cavalry unit that crossed the Ohio River and was eventually captured near West Point, in Columbiana County.

In addition to his interest in medicine, Henshall began studying fish culture after the war, and he became one of the earliest American authorities on sport fishing.

A dedicated angler all his life, he was also a prolific writer — one of the most famous fishing writers of his day — contributing articles to both Forest & Stream and The American Angler, the premier outdoor journals of the era. He is most remembered for his magnum opus, Book of the Black Bass. Published in 1881, it sold nearly half a million copies, with more still being sold today.

Hines (1912–1994) was born in Columbus and became interested in the outdoors at a young age. He made it his life’s work while hunting, fishing, and camping close to the Sandusky River near Fremont, Ohio. He was a young staff artist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife in 1948 when he was lured away to work for the USF&WS. No doubt he had gained attention of the agency by designing the art for the 1946 Federal Duck Stamp with his image of redhead ducks. Hines eventually took over leadership of that federal annual art competition, overseeing and improving the event for more than 30 years.

Hines produced untold numbers of illustrations during his time with the USF&WS, including the first four U.S. postage stamps to feature species of wildlife: wild turkey, pronghorn antelope, king salmon, and whooping crane. He was especially proud of his 1963 Ducks at a Distance, a waterfowl identification pocket guide for hunters that became a bestseller for the Department of the Interior. He is the only individual in the history of the organization to hold the title of National Wildlife Artist. Hines’ image of a cutthroat trout adorns the cover of the new book (see image above).

An interesting sidenote about Hines’ long career with the USF&WS is that his first supervisor was Rachel Carson, who would go on to pen Silent Spring in 1962. The book sounded the alarm concerning indiscriminate use of pesticides and helped kick-start the environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

America’s Bountiful Waters has another Ohio connection. The book was edited by an expatriot Buckeye, Craig Springer, who now lives in New Mexico. If his name sounds familiar, that could be because he occasionally writes articles for this magazine. Along with editing, Springer also contributed several stories to America’s Bountiful Waters; one of them is a remembrance of catching his first feisty smallmouth bass from Four Mile Creek, near Oxford, which gave him something else in common with Henshall.

“James Henshall and I both caught our first smallmouth bass on an Independence Day outing in southwest Ohio,” Springer says. “They just happened more than a century apart.”

W.H. “Chip” Gross is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor.

Tags

fish

wildlife

The big one

aspecht — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 19:50:20 +0000

The big one

September 29, 2020

If you’re an angler, how would you like to catch one walleye worth over $100,000? James Atkinson Jr. of Streetsboro did exactly that last fall, his whopper walleye weighing 12.395 pounds and measuring 31.5 inches.

What has become known as the Walleye Fall Brawl began a decade ago when a group of 50 friends each tossed a few bucks into a pot as a friendly wager to see who could catch the largest walleye. From that simple beginning has steadily grown the largest fishing derby not only on Lake Erie but in the Midwest — and possibly the entire country.

The Fall Brawl is coordinated by Frank Murphy of North Royalton, who volunteers his time — lots of it. A fisherman all his life, Murphy says, “I just want to give something back to the fishing community for what fishing has done for me through the years. That’s why there is 100% payback of all the entry fees to the top five derby winners.”
Nearly 8,000 anglers participated last year, and Murphy anticipates as many as 10,000 will this year, each plunking down $30 for the privilege. Do the math, and that’s $300,000 in prize money that gets split five ways.

Here’s how the derby works: Once an angler has paid the entry fee, they then have six weeks to fish as much as they want, anywhere in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie. The 2020 Fall Brawl begins Friday, Oct. 16, at 12:01 a.m., and ends Sunday, Nov. 29, at 8 a.m. “That’s a month and a half of fishing opportunity, including seven weekends,” Murphy points out.

It’s a one-walleye-takes-all contest, determined strictly by weight. Anglers are allowed to weigh as many walleyes as they’d like, but all the fish must be officially weighed at only one location: Erie Outfitters, a bait and tackle shop located along the south shore of Lake Erie, just west of Cleveland in Sheffield Lake.

Murphy chooses to hold the derby in autumn for two reasons. “First, because walleyes are packing on weight this time of year,” he says. “They just keep getting heavier as fall goes on, which builds anticipation in the derby week by week. The final few days get crazy, with people fishing nonstop, around the clock. Second, there are constant fishing tournaments on Lake Erie in the spring through summer, but very few during fall, so I thought fall was the perfect time.”

By the way, those anglers finishing in the top five spots must pass a polygraph test before collecting their winnings. Two of the initial top-five finishers last year flunked and were disqualified, allowing Atkinson to move up and claim the top prize. “I believe the polygraph requirement is one of the main reasons the Fall Brawl has grown as big and quickly as it has,” Murphy says. “Fishermen know it’s on the up-and-up, and that the rules are strictly enforced.”

Atkinson caught his winning walleye on the day after Thanksgiving, trolling a plastic minnow-imitation lure he had hand-painted blue. He and a buddy, Matt Bunch, were fishing about 1.5 miles north of Cleveland when the big fish hit. “It was the only fish we caught all day,” Atkinson says.

Last year was also the first time Atkinson had entered the Fall Brawl, which goes to show that anyone can win — it only takes one fish. You don’t necessarily even need to be fishing from a boat. Most years, at least one of the top-five anglers manages to catch a winning fish from shore.

If you’d like to try your luck in the 2020 Walleye Fall Brawl, registration is open. Details can be found at their website.

Tags

Lake Erie

walleye

Monster rebirth

aspecht — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 14:58:21 +0000

Monster rebirth

August 28, 2020

Is there really a Lake Erie monster, as some claim? Well, yes, at least potentially. In fact, thousands of small ones are swimming in the big lake right now. Let me explain.

In the early 1800s, untold numbers of lake sturgeon weighing hundreds of pounds each and measuring up to 6 feet or more in length roamed the Great Lakes. One of North America’s largest freshwater fish, sturgeon initially had little economic or food value to humans. Additionally, the fish were highly destructive when unintentionally caught in commercial fishing nets set for more desirable species. As a result, lake sturgeon numbering in the thousands were simply dragged up on beaches to die and rot or were fed to hogs.

By mid-century, however, market conditions were rapidly changing, and from 1850 to 1870, products derived from sturgeon transformed this once-worthless fish into a valuable commodity. Caviar, fish oil, and a substance known as isinglass — a gelatin used in adhesives made from the air bladder of various fish, especially sturgeon — became extremely valuable. The fish became so sought after, in fact, that one of the largest sturgeon fisheries in America developed on Lake Erie. In 1885 alone, commercial fishermen on Erie netted more than half a million pounds of lake sturgeon.

But little did anyone at the time realize the party was about over. During the following two decades, the sturgeon fishery collapsed on both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. A double threat took the big fish down: unregulated fishing, combined with the damming of tributary rivers that eliminated essential spawning habitat.

Also contributing to the population crash was the extremely slow reproductive rate of sturgeon. Although lake sturgeon are believed to have a lifespan similar to humans, females do not become sexually mature until 20 to 25 years of age, then spawn only once every four to six years. Males take 15 years to mature, spawning every one to four years.

A long-term program to reintroduce lake sturgeon to Lake Erie is currently underway on the lower Maumee River near Toledo. The Toledo Zoo is spearheading the effort, aided by state, federal, and provincial government agencies, as well as several universities. The young fish are raised for six months in a special streamside rearing facility that circulates Maumee River water through its holding tanks. The idea is to imprint the 7-inch sturgeon with a chemical signature that will help them find their way home from Lake Erie in coming years.

“With continued annual fall stockings of about 3,000 sturgeon fingerlings that began three years ago, our hope is that this gentle giant of the Great Lakes will eventually begin spawning again in the Maumee and other Lake Erie tributaries, establishing a self-sustaining population,” says Matt Cross, conservation biologist for the zoo.

According to the Division of Wildlife, last fall a commercial fisherman in the Western Basin of Lake Erie caught a sturgeon identified as one of the fish released a year earlier. It’s the first instance of one of the sturgeon from the reintroduction program being recaptured — a positive sign that the project is on the right track.

W.H. “Chip” Gross is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor.

Tags

Lake Erie

Toledo

Surprise catch

aspecht — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 15:53:09 +0000

Surprise catch

April 1, 2020

Features

If you enjoy fishing in the Buckeye State, that next tug on your line just might be a new record fish. Take your pick from the 2.25 million acres of Ohio-owned Lake Erie on the north to the 451 miles of the Ohio River along our southern border and the 7,000 miles of rivers and streams in between — plus more than 200 inland lakes. State-record fish have been caught from them all.

Or, you could just walk across the road to the family’s farm pond and catch a new state record. That’s what 9-year-old SueAnn Newswanger of Richland County did a couple of years ago when she caught the current state-record green sunfish, still the most recently reeled-in of all of Ohio’s state-record fish. “I knew it was a new record as soon as I caught it,” she says.

Her father, Galen, explains. “We had gone fishing a few days previously, and SueAnn caught a very large green sunfish that we released,” he says. “That got me thinking as to what the state record might be for that species, so I looked it up and told her that we had likely released a state-record fish.”
The Newswangers were fishing again a few days later in the same area of the same pond when Galen heard his daughter squeal with delight, “Daddy, I caught it again!”

Sure enough, SueAnn had hooked the same huge green sunfish — or possibly another of similar size — but this time they didn’t release it. They had the fish weighed on certified scales (1.2 pounds), the whopper measuring 11 inches in length and 10.5 inches in girth. Galen then had a professional taxidermist mount the fish for his young daughter. By the way, SueAnn caught her record green sunfish using a simple spincast rod and reel with a worm on a hook.

The official list of state-record fish is kept by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio (OWO). Forty-seven species are recognized: 42 for hook and line, and five for bowfishing.

“Over some 70 years of maintaining records, it’s difficult to say who is the all-time youngest Ohio state-record holder,” says Fred Snyder, chairman of the OWO Record Fish Committee. “But SueAnn has to be one of the youngest, if not the youngest of all.”

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