Trout coming to Clark Lake

By Brian Plasters | Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 10:53 AM

The Ohio Division of Wildlife’s annual release of rainbow trout at Clark Lake is scheduled for March 26.

Anglers 16 years and older must have a valid Ohio fishing license to pursue trout. An annual license costs $19 for Ohio residents, and a one-day license is $11.

Each trout measures between 10 and 13 inches long, and the daily limit is five. Clark Lake is located in northeast Clark County, on Vernon-Asbury Road.

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Deer kill is up

By Brian Plasters | Thursday, January 28, 2010, 06:47 AM

From the Ohio Department of Natural Resources:

A total of 251,826 deer have been harvested so far this season when combining the gun seasons, early and statewide muzzleloader seasons, and the first nine weeks of the archery season. Hunters took a total of 252,017 deer during all of last year’s hunting seasons.

The archery season runs through Feb. 7. Personally, I’ve already moved on and hunting season is over.

I missed a doe during gun season and passed up a couple shots in October with my bow. Basically, I missed my chance.

A complete list of the muzzleloader kill is on the jump. I’ll have the complete numbers when the season ends in February.

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For the birds

By Brian Plasters | Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 06:21 AM

For the past three winters I’ve fed the birds in my backyard.

The first year I tried nailing a homemade feeder (a split log) to a tree in the back yard. Squirrels went crazy on the food, and I went crazy chasing squirrels.

Last year it was the crows constantly menacing the store-bought feeder. Big birds eat lots of food.

This year the crows and squirrels are gone (mostly), but I still don’t get many birds. That is, unless it snows.

I live somewhere between the country the suburbs (leaning toward the suburbs) and I don’t have much in the way of cover. But given an inch or two of snow, and my feeder is busier than a toy store at Christmas.

Any reasons why? Respond.

Here’s some feeding advice from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources:

“Mixed bird seed containing many seeds and grains is important to the vast number of seed eaters present over winter; pumpkin seeds are widely eaten by many birds; beef suet is important to a large number of birds, especially to insect eaters; oatmeal is popular food and sunflower seed is a favorite food, although an expensive one.

“By varying the kinds of food, it is possible to attract preferred species of birds. It is also possible to partially control the birds visiting feeders by the type of feeder used and the manner of erecting it.

“A game bird feeding station maintained in dense protective cover such as a briar patch benefits local game bird populations when it is continued throughout the winter. Ear corn is excellent fare. It may be placed on the ground or stuck on nails or stakes to keep it above the snow.”

Here’s the complete link.

Let me just say I have all that, except the cover. My feed is first-rate, and they get a full bowl every day. I have bushes and such in the yard, but nothing that serves as a bird hotel, I guess.

In the meantime, I’ll be waiting for this guy (or gal) to visit my backyard. Good shot from resident photo chief Marshall Gorby.

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Fewer deer taken in gun season

By Brian Plasters | Monday, December 7, 2009, 04:29 PM

The 2009 deer gun kills were up in Clark County, but down for the rest of the state during the one-week season.

In Clark County, 338 deer were checked in last week, up from last year’s 321.

In Champaign County, 737 were checked in, just a little under last year’s 743.

The big-game hunting grounds of Tuscarawas County produced an amazing 5,901 checked deer.

Overall, 114,633 deer were checked in, just below last season’s 116,798. The gun season resumes on Dec. 19 and 20.

See the complete release on the jump.

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Lange’s land potential state record blue catfish

By Brian Plasters | Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 07:00 AM

Tim and Lynn Lange, of Springfield, are heading into the West Virginia state fishing record book pending verification with a 29.75-pound blue catfish caught on the Ohio River on Sept. 12.

Lynn Lange caught the blue during the Cabela’s King Kat Tournament in Gallipolis, Ohio.

The Lange’s finished in sixth place in the tournament with a total weight of 40.85 pounds.

Check out the Lange’s site here.

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Watch out: walleyes biting on crankbaits at C.J. Brown

By Brian Plasters | Thursday, August 20, 2009, 03:12 PM

The latest Fish Ohio report, produced by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, says fishing is still strong at C.J. Brown Reservoir.

Here’s the entire report from C.J. Brown:

“A few walleye are being caught by anglers using crankbaits, jigs with plastic bodies or curly tails, small spinners, or live minnows, leaches, or night crawlers on a #6 long shanked hook as bait. Good curly tail color choices are white, orange, pink, or chartreuse. Fish by slowly jigging, trolling or drifting baits in 10 to 15 foot depths. Anglers report that the most successful bait has been silver or gold blade baits. Anglers report walleyes are being caught in the main lake river channel, around structure, and over the humps. The best fishing is in the very early morning hours. Most walleye are undersized fish but some legal fish are being caught. REMEMBER all walleye less than 15 inches long must be immediately released back into the lake. Channel catfish are being caught by anglers using shad, shrimp, night crawlers, and chicken livers in the upper end of the lake. Fish the bait tight line or slowly drift the bait along the bottom in three to six foot depths.”

Read the complete Fish Ohio Report from across the state on the jump.

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Fishing is good when the economy isn’t

By Brian Plasters | Friday, August 7, 2009, 06:05 AM

As I wrote in the Aug. 6 News-Sun, fish still bite even when the economy does not.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, fishing license sales are up 10 percent on the year (through June 30). That’s brought in over $1 million in extra revenue for the department.

People who fish, and hunt, don’t do it just for the activity. It’s about tradition, being outside, and being self-sufficient. Fishing encompasses all those attributes.

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Duck blind drawing for Clark Lake, Grand Lake, Spring Valley

By Brian Plasters | Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 06:54 AM

For the duck hunters in the crowd, the ODNR will host a lottery drawing on Aug. 15 at 8 a.m.

Drawings for Clark Lake and Spring Valley will be held at the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s District 5 headquarters in Xenia. The address is 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia.

The Grand Lake St. Marys drawing will be held at the Mercer Wildlife Area in Celina. The address is 5116 State Route 703, Celina.

Applicants must appear in person and have a valid 2009 Ohio hunting license and state wetlands stamp, and signed 2008 or 2009 federal duck stamp.

See the complete release on the jump.

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Fish Ohio report: Walleye biting at C.J. Brown

By Brian Plasters | Thursday, July 30, 2009, 06:56 AM

According to the Ohio Deparment of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, walleye fishing is good right now at C.J. Brown Reservoir.

That’s no surprise, considering the walleye bite usually picks up in the summer months while other lakes can shut down. Try fishing from early evening through the early morning; a night-bite can be a success.

Also included in this week’s Fish Ohio Report: Fish at night for catfish along Windy Point pier or along the east bank.

See the complete release on the jump.

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Applications for controlled hunts due July 31

By Brian Plasters | Monday, July 27, 2009, 07:15 AM

Hunters who want to participate in Ohio’s controlled deer and waterfowl hunts have until July 31 to submit permit applications.

Permits cots $3 online. Visit wildohio.com to apply, or click through the jump below and get the link there.

According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, special deer hunts are slated for the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Lucas County), NASA/Plumbrook Station (Erie County), Ravenna Training & Logistics Site (Portage County), as well as the Mosquito Creek (Trumbull County), Killdeer Plains (Wyandot County) and Old Woman Creek (Erie County) state wildlife areas.

Waterfowl hunts will be conducted at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Lucas County), Magee Marsh (Ottawa County), Mosquito Creek (Trumbull County) and Mercer (Mercer County) state wildlife areas.

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