COLUMBUS, OH - Public fishing opportunities will be enhanced this spring when more than 80,000 rainbow trout, each measuring 10 to 13-inches long, are released into 45 Ohio lakes and ponds, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The releases will take place between mid March and mid-May; anglers are reminded that the daily catch limit for inland lakes is five trout.

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. The 2008-2009 fishing license can be purchased now and is required on March 1.

An annual resident fishing license costs $19 and is valid through February 28, 2009. A one-day fishing license is available and may be purchased for $11 by residents or 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 December 31, 1937 may obtain a free fishing license where licenses are sold. Persons age 66 and older who were born on or after January 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 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Information is also available from Division of Wildlife district offices in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay and Xenia.