LEESVILLE RESERVOIR GETS A HABITAT “BOOST”
Project aims to improve angler success by increasing in-water structure
 
LEESVILLE, OH- On August 28, 2008, the Ohio Division of Wildlife partnered with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) to introduce fish concentration devices into Leesville Reservoir. In total, 80 structures consisting of wooden spools and unused Christmas trees were sunk at four locations around the lake. “Two locations by the dam were chosen to increase opportunities during the ice fishing season,” says Matt Wolfe, fisheries biologist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife who oversees this project. “The locations in either of the forks had some habitat available already, but the fish were inaccessible to anglers. With this newly introduced habitat, anglers can start benefiting immediately since the fish are staging in a better area.” added Wolfe.

Twenty structures can be found at each of the following locations:
 N 40o 29’ 43.2” / W 81o 10’ 13.6” in about 17 feet of water
 N 40o 28’ 1.6” / W 81o 11’ 28.6” in about 15 - 18 feet of water
 N 40o 27’ 58.6” / W 81o 11’ 15.8” in about 15 - 18 feet of water
 N 40o 27’ 41.0” / W 81o 10’ 21.0” in about 17 feet of water
The map datum on the GPS unit should be set at NAD 83 to find the structures.

The goal of this project is to introduce 500 structures into the waters of northeastern Ohio annually. With limited funding available, the project would be impossible without the help of local organizations who have contributed to this effort. First Energy Corporation, R.W Sidley’s, and the MWCD partnered with the Division of Wildlife on this particular project in its attempt to recruit the next generation of anglers and retain the anglers who already enjoy the sport of fishing.

Structure locations in other northeast Ohio lakes can be found at the northeast Ohio Fishing Prospects page at www.wildohio.com.  For all other inquiries, please contact the Wildlife District Three office in Akron at (330) 644-2293.

For more news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at ohiodnr.com