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COLUMBUS — The Division of Wildlife has proposed regulation changes that will affect black bass and brown trout fishing beginning March 1, 2000.
Black bass species include smallmouth bass and largemouth bass.
The proposals were presented Wednesday night at a meeting of the Ohio Wildlife Council. A statewide public hearing on these proposed regulations will be held in Columbus on September 23. The Wildlife Council is scheduled to vote on the changes during its October 20 meeting.
Citing the need to preserve the quality of black bass fishing in Lake Erie and across the state, the Division of Wildlife has proposed to reduce the statewide daily bag limit from eight to five fish. The wildlife agency also has proposed to increase the minimum size limit required for keeping a black bass taken in Lake Erie from 12 to 14 inches.
"We have seen a significant increase in bass fishing pressure on Lake Erie, particularly for smallmouth bass, during the past 20 years," said Gary Isbell, executive administrator of fish management and research for the Division of Wildlife.
"Additionally, there are other factors affecting the distribution, relocation, and reproductive success of the Lake Erie bass population. Overall, we have a much higher annual harvest of smallmouth bass taken in Lake Erie and we want to protect the future of this sport fishery while at the same time maintaining good fishing opportunities."
By implementing these proposed fishing regulation changes, the wildlife agency expects to reduce by 50 percent the number of black bass taken in Ohio waters. The proposed changes in fishing regulations for next year do not affect Pymatuning Lake and the Ohio River.
Another proposal seeks to establish a daily bag limit of two fish per angler and minimum size limit of 12 inches for brown trout taken in the Mad River, Clear Fork River, and Clear Creek, and each of their tributaries. A related change calls for repealing an existing regulation that affects certain sections of these three streams where anglers must use an artificial lure or fly having a single barbless hook when fishing for any species of trout. The existing minimum length limit for trout caught in these zones is 10 inches.
"We have successfully established a very good fishery that has improved inland trout fishing opportunities and we want to unify our regulations for the inland fishing district. We also want to promote the quality of this inland trout fishery and extend the survival of trout in Ohio streams," said Isbell.
Other proposed fishing regulation changes presented Wednesday to the Wildlife Council include:
Establishing an 18-inch minimum size limit for black bass taken in Tycoon Lake in Gallia County;
Establishing a 15-inch minimum size limit for black bass taken in the Ohio-Erie Canal in Cuyahoga County;
Establishing a 12-15 inch protective slot length limit for black bass taken in Slope Creek reservoir in Belmont County, Turkey Creek Lake in Scioto County, and Highlandtown Lake in Columbiana County;
Adding Deer Creek Lake in Stark County to the list of lakes that limit the size of outboard motors on state wildlife areas; and
Adding the zebra mussel, quagga mussel, and rudd to the list of exotic aquatic nuisance species that may not be possessed alive.
Uploaded: 8/6/1999
Uploaded: 8/6/1999