WHAT CAME FIRST: THE FISH OR THE EGG?
Division of Wildlife collects walleye eggs for walleye & saugeye production

AKRON, OH – As the ice melts from many of Ohio’s inland lakes, anglers across the state will be itching at the chance to fish open waters. Cabin fever has been knocking at the doors of most Buckeye State’s fishermen and women, so soon the reels will be spooled, motors will be un-winterized, and baits will be tossed.  Division of Wildlife fish management personnel will also be well on their way to ensure the success of future fishing trips. 

Throughout early April, fish management personnel will be collecting walleye eggs from Mosquito Reservoir and Berlin Lake. These eggs will be used to produce the young walleye and saugeye that are stocked in a variety of lakes throughout the state.

Fish stocked in the spring of 2008 will either be fry (1/2 inches long) or fingerling (two inches). These fish will likely be eight to nine-inches by the fall of 2008, and 15-inches within two to three years. With an estimated $140 million spent on walleye and saugeye fishing spent each year, a successful year class of fish can provide a huge economic benefit to the region around a lake.

Anglers, members of the media, and other interested parties are invited to watch the production on site at Mosquito and Berlin lakes. Crews will be at the main State Park launch on the southwest side of Mosquito, and the Berlin Wildlife Area launch located just north of the Bonner Road launch on Berlin. Crews will be onsite typically from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM each day to answer questions. The Division of Wildlife is asking anglers NOT to disturb the nets that are placed in the lake to collect the fish. No baits or other fish attracting devices are used in the nets. The fish are caught simply by swimming into the nets.

Anglers are reminded that it’s time to purchase their 2008-2009 fishing license. The 2007-2008 licenses expired on February 28, 2008. New licenses are valid March 1, 2008 through February 29, 2009. Resident fishing licenses cost $19 each while a one-day Ohio fishing license costs $11, an amount that can later be applied to the purchase of an annual license. Licenses can be purchased at vendor outlets across the state or ONLINE