Page 14 - Mid America Boating - March 2023 issue

Find out why
MARCH 2023 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] 14

you should use

a SAMS

surveyor

at...

www.marinesurvey.org

Fish Ohio program celebrates a

year of amazing catches

Like us on In 2022, the Ohio Department of Natural extends beyond the rear edge of the eye.

Facebook Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife It has an appetite for frogs, crayfish, large
awarded 9,723 Fish Ohio pins to successful
insects, and other fish. Artificial lure presen-
anglers with qualifying catches. These trophy tations that mimic these prey items may elicit
fish join the more than 400,000 catches recog-
a strike. A few anglers on Acton Lake and
1.800.344.9077 nized since 1976 in the Fish Ohio program. Oakthorpe Lake caught trophy largemouth
The Fish Ohio program celebrates amazing
bass longer than 25 inches in 2022.
catches of 25 species of fish. Those who reel
in a qualifying catch receive the commem- Saugeye
orative Fish Ohio pin for their first entry A hybrid between a walleye and a sauger,
and a Master Angler pin for catching qual- saugeye are stocked in more than 60 lakes
ifiers of four different species in the same and reservoirs by the Division of Wildlife.
year. Applications for a Fish Ohio pin and These fast-growing fish thrive in Ohio’s inland
minimum length requirements are found waters and can be caught year-round. Inland
at fishohio.gov. The Fish Ohio pin for 2022 lake anglers caught Fish Ohio saugeye most
depicts a crappie. often in Buckeye Lake (Fairfield, Licking, and
“Fish Ohio inspires anglers to go fishing, Perry counties), Indian Lake (Logan County),
and then celebrates their success,” said and Tappan Lake (Harrison County).
Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. Saugeye can be identified by the dark
“Congratulations to the thousands of people bars or vertical spots between the spines
who landed a trophy fish in 2022. We look of the first dorsal fin. They also have dark,
forward to another outstanding year in 2023.” oblong patches along their sides. They prey
The Fish Ohio pin for next year will feature on gizzard shad and small fish, so minnows
a walleye. and live bait are favored bait. Artificial lures
Lake Erie is a terrific spot to catch a like twister tails, jigs, and crankbaits are
Fish Ohio-qualifying walleye. The Walleye also excellent choices. The largest reported
Capital of the World has a strong walleye
saugeye catch in 2022 was 29 inches, a mile-
BUILT STRONG population lake wide. In 2022, anglers stone that two anglers reached on Seneca
Lake and Tappan Lake.
caught 1,348 Fish Ohio walleye, which
measured at least 28 inches long. Lake
Erie’s largest Fish Ohio walleye from 2022
Black crappie and white crappie are abundant
was an impressive 34 inches. Crappie
We are a custom boat trailer manufacturer Fish Ohio records show that largemouth in Ohio. A black crappie has irregular blotch-
that specializes in building strong, quality trailers bass, saugeye, and crappie are three of the es or spots along its sides, while a white
for power boats, sailboats, classic boats, most popular species at inland lakes across crappie is distinguished by more uniform
combo trailers and more, ranging from 16–52’ the Buckeye State. A largemouth bass longer dark stripes. Top crappie lakes are Mosquito
in length, with a GVWR of up to 36,800 lbs. than 20 inches, a saugeye longer than 21 Creek Lake (Trumbull County), Hoover Reser-
voir (Delaware and Franklin counties), and
inches, or a crappie longer than 13 inches
Each Loadmaster Trailer is built to order and qualify for Fish Ohio status. Increase your Alum Creek Lake (Delaware County).
mig-welded out of custom painted, or hot dip odds of catching a Fish Ohio-qualifying fish Crappies are often found near structures
galvanized, structural C-Channel steel. at one of the top lakes listed below. like drop-offs, points, creek beds, brush piles,
and fallen trees. These feisty sport fish can be
Largemouth bass caught on light tackle. The largest reported
Largemouth bass are aggressive predators crappie from Ohio’s public waters last year
that can grow to large sizes in Ohio’s lakes was a 19½-inch trophy reeled in from Lake
and reservoirs, making them a popular sport Hodgson in Ravenna.
fish. The top three inland lake destinations The Division of Wildlife has many resourc-
for Fish Ohio largemouth bass in 2022 were es available to assist anglers, including lake
Portage Lakes (Summit County), Nimisila maps, fishing tips by species, and fishing
www.LoadmasterBoatTrailer.com Lake (Summit County), and Alum Creek Lake forecasts. Many of these resources are avail-
2354 E. Harbor Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452 | loadmaster@cros.net (Delaware County). able at your fingertips with the HuntFish OH
1-800-258-6115 This species has a dark stripe that extends mobile app. Fishing regulations and an inter-
down the side of its body, and the mouth active fishing map can be located with ease