Releases start March 8 and continue through mid-May
COLUMBUS, OH - Public fishing opportunities will be enhanced this spring when more than 96,000 rainbow trout will be released into 61 Ohio lakes and ponds, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The releasing of the rainbow trout, which are 10 to 13 inches long, will occur between March 8 and mid-May. Anglers are reminded the daily catch limit for inland lakes is five trout. Anglers should also know there will no longer be fall catchable trout releases. Beginning in 2012, all catchable trout releases have been shifted to the spring season.
Some locations will feature special, youth-only angler events on the day of the scheduled releases. Anglers age 16 and older must have an Ohio fishing license to fish the state’s public waters. Once the youth-only events have concluded, all other anglers may fish. Contact the nearest district office for specific information about the angler events.
The 2012-13 fishing license will be available March 1. The license will be valid March 1 through Feb. 28, 2013. An annual resident fishing license costs $19. A one–day fishing license is available and may be purchased for $11 by residents and non-residents. The one-day license may also be redeemed for credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license.
Ohio residents born on or before Dec. 31, 1937, may obtain a free fishing license where licenses are sold. Persons age 66 and older who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1938, and have resided in Ohio for the past six months are eligible to purchase the reduced cost resident senior license for $10.
Additional information about spring trout releases is available by calling toll-free at 800-WILDLIFE. Information is also available from Division of Wildlife district offices in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay and Xenia.
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Vicki Ervin, Division of Wildlife
614-265-6325
Bethany McCorkle, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6873
The following is a complete list of spring trout releases:
Lake Event County PublishDate
Adams Lake Adams March 9
Antrim Lake Franklin March 16
Ashley Upground Delaware April 28 Youth only
Barnesville Reservoir #3 Belmont March 30
Belmont Lake Belmont March 29
Blue Limestone Park Delaware April 6
Blue Rock Lake Muskingum April 5
Caldwell Lake Ross April 13
Cenci Park Lake Fairfield April 14 Youth only
Clark Lake Clark April 5
Crossroads Industrial Ponds Crawford April 12
Davis Lake Auglaize April 19
Delta Reservoir #1 Fulton April 18
Dow Lake Athens April 5
East Harbor State Park Pond Ottawa April 21 Youth only
Eyman Park Fayette May 5 Youth only
Forest Hill Pond Cuyahoga April 20
Forked Run Lake Meigs March 22
Foundation Park Knox April 6
Giertz Lake Hancock May 5 Youth only
Heritage Park Franklin April 13
Hinckley Lake Medina April 11
Jackson City Reservoir Jackson April 21 Derby
Jefferson Lake Jefferson April 11
Lake Alma Vinton April 13
Lamberjack Lake Seneca April 19
Lima Lake Allen April 19
Little Turtle Pond Summit April 14 Derby
McKarns Lake Williams April 19
Mill Creek Lake Mahoning April 20
Monroe Lake Monroe March 29
Mt Gilead Lake Morrow April 6
New Lexington Reservoir 1A Perry March 30
Norwalk Reservoir # 1 Huron April 12
Ohio Canal Lock 4 Stark April 28 Derby
Ohio/Erie Canal Cuyahoga May 4
Olander Lake Lucas April 28 Youth only
Pearson Metropark Ponds Lucas March 31 Youth only
Petros Lake Stark April 11
Punderson Lake Geauga April 14 Derby
Quarry Park Marion March 30
Rocky Fork Lake Highland April 7 Youth only
Rose Lake Hocking April 6 Youth only
Rush Run Lake Preble March 16
Schoonover Lake Allen April 13
Shadow Lake Cuyahoga April 20
Shelby Reservoir #3 Richland April 12
Silver Creek Lake Summit April 20
Stonelick Lake Clermont March 31 Youth only
Sunbury Upground #1 Delaware May 12 Youth only
Swanton Railroad Reservoir Fulton April 19
Sycamore State Park Pond Montgomery April 12
Tawawa Lake Shelby April 19
Timbre Ridge Lake Lawrence March 29
Turkey Creek Lake Scioto April 28 Youth only
Van Wert Reservoir #1 Van Wert April 28 Youth only
Lake Vesuvius Lawrence April 19 NWTF event
Veterans Park Pond Lake April 18
Westlake Recreation Center Pond Cuyahoga April 2
White Star Quarry Sandusky April 6 Family fishing
Wolf Run Lake Noble March 29
Yoctangee Park Lake Ross March 24 Youth only