LAKE ERIE AND OTHER OHIO WATERWAYS NOTED AS 2004’S BEST SPOTS FOR REELING IN TROPHY-SIZED FISH
“Fish Ohio” program recognizes trophy catches of 19 fish species

Columbus, OH - Lake Erie and a dozen inland lakes were among the best places to reel in “Fish Ohio” catches during 2004, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The “Fish Ohio” program recognizes noteworthy catches among 19 fish species.

With 2.25 million Lake Erie water acres, 451 miles of the Ohio River, 40,000 miles of streams, some 200 inland lakes and thousands of private ponds, Ohio anglers have great opportunities to catch fish that qualify for the “Fish Ohio” recognition program. Among the state’s best “Fish Ohio” waters in 2004 were:

LAKE ERIE: Top spot for walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass Trophy walleye received the highest number of entries with more than 2,500. Lake Erie was the top place to catch them, followed by the Maumee and Sandusky rivers. Catches of yellow perch were second with more than 1,800 entries. Again, Lake Erie led the way, followed by Pymatuning Lake in Ashtabula County, Lake La Su An in Williams County, Mogadore Reservoir in Portage County and Indian Lake in Logan County. Lake Erie is also the top lake for smallmouth bass, followed by Piedmont Lake in Belmont County, Alum Creek Lake in Delaware County, and the Rocky and Licking rivers.

INLAND LAKES: Home of trophy saugeye and muskie Indian Lake led the list for trophy saugeye catches followed by Alum Creek Lake; Hoover Reservoir in Delaware and Franklin counties; Buckeye Lake in Fairfield, Perry, and Licking counties; Piedmont and Atwood lakes in Tuscarawas County. The number one “Fish Ohio” lake for muskie catches was Leesville Lake in Carroll County, followed by West Branch Reservoir in Portage County, Clear Fork Reservoir in Richland County, Alum Creek Lake, and Salt Fork Lake in Guernsey County.

PRIVATE PONDS: Best places for panfish, crappie, channel cat and largemouth bass While a majority of entries for sunfish, crappies, channel catfish, and largemouth bass were caught in private ponds, these species also were plentiful in many public waterways. Mosquito Lake in Trumbull County led the “Fish Ohio” entries in the crappie category with Hoover Reservoir, Lake Erie, Pymatuning Lake, and West Branch Reservoir completing the list.

Lake Erie topped the list for qualifying catches of channel catfish in a public waterway. The Ohio River, Hoover Reservoir, Indian Lake, and the Maumee and Muskingum rivers also proved to be hot spots for channel catfish action. The top “Fish Ohio” lake for largemouth bass was Mogadore Reservoir, with Lake Erie, Portage Lakes and Nimisila Reservoir - both in Summit County - and the ponds on AEP’s ReCreations Lands also noted trophy catches of that species.

During 2004, the “Fish Ohio” program recognized 12,855 anglers from across Ohio and 36 other states for trophy catches. Each angler with a qualifying “Fish Ohio” catch receives a certificate and lapel pin. The 2004 pin featured a walleye; the 2005 pin will display a freshwater drum. There is also a Master Angler category for individuals who catch four “Fish Ohio” qualifying fish in a single year. The Master Angler pin is similar to the “Fish Ohio” pin, except it is gold in color. Since 1976, more than 360,000 anglers have been recognized for “Fish Ohio” catches.

Anyone interested in submitting an entry in the “Fish Ohio” program should fill out an application. Forms are available by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or by clicking here.