ODNR Division of Wildlife - Fishing - District Four Fish Management

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Southwest Ohio (District 4) Fish Management

Initiatives and Accomplishments

Stewardship


Initiatives

  • Continue Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) monitoring as needed.
  • Continue sportfish and VHS sampling as planned or needed.
  • Seek riparian corridor protection opportunities.
  • Finalize Walhonding River Water Trail and continue partnerships with stakeholders.
  • Initiate Water Trail status for Tuscarawas River, identify and establish partnerships.

Accomplishments
  • Collected fish tissue contaminant samples for the Ohio Department of Health/Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fish Consumption Advisory Program. 
  • Collected Ohio River fish for VHS monitoring.
  • Cooperated with City of Coshocton on the Peninsula Project. This project involves the protection of lands at the confluence of the Walhonding and Tuscarawas Rivers. The Division of Wildlife helped secure related lands through mitigation credits needed for Tri-Valley Wildlife Area.
  • We worked in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to remove a small lowhead dam on the West Branch of Wolf Creek (Exceptional Warmwater Habitat Stream) in Morgan County. Approximately 2500 linear feet of stream habitat was restored as a result of the removal of this dam. Fish management staff participated in a Wild Ohio video segment documenting the removal of the Woodyard Dam on Wolf Creek. 
  • Staff continued to develop strategies towards determining the feasibility of removing lowhead dams that are impacting stream habitat and fish movement in District Four. District and central office staff developed and begun work towards a strategic plan for determining the feasibility of removing Six Mile Dam (Walhonding River). Outputs from this meeting included the development of a Citizens Participation process and identified key issues and strategies for determining the feasibility of removing the dam. District Four Fish Management staff met with Whispering Falls Campground board members to receive their comments and thoughts on the removal of Six Mile Dam.
  • Stream fish biodiversity surveys (8 sites) were completed in Hewett Fork of Raccoon Creek as part of a cooperative evaluation between the Ohio University- ILGARD, ODNR-Division of Mineral Resources, and the Raccoon Creek Restoration Group.  This survey is part of a five year evaluation to determine the effectiveness of an alkaline “on stream” doser towards treating Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and restoring the biological integrity of the stream. Four years of fish and habitat data were summarized and presented at the 2007 ODNR-Applied Research Conference held at Ohio University. 
  • Fish management staff assisted the OSU Curator of Fishes with sampling in several Ohio River tributaries in Belmont County to determine the presence and extent of northern studfish populations in this area.
  • The ODNR-Division of Wildlife was involved with ongoing planning and meetings with the Fairfield County Historical Parks Commission and the Ross County Park District to protect additional stream corridor on Clear Creek and the North Fork of Paint Creek.
  • Established a partnership with the Coshocton County Park District, ODNR-Watercraft, Knox County Park District, ODOT, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and MWCD to review existing access on the Walhonding River as well as forge a partnership to pursue Water Trail status for the Walhonding River. Considering existing access as well as access in progress (Three Rivers Peninsula Project), ODNR-Watercraft agreed that the Walhonding River meets water trail status. All parties agreed to partner with this effort. Work is on-going for official proclamation.


Opportunities


Initiatives

  • Coordinate with West Virginia DNR and American Municipal Power for new access below R.C. Byrd Locks and Dam.
  • Promote Ohio River fishing opportunities. (details or remove?)
  • Continue maintenance and improvements of existing access areas.
  • Seek new access opportunities through agreement, partnership, or purchase.
  • Continue reservoir sportfish, water quality, and contaminant sampling as planned or required.
  • Continue angler surveys as planned.
  • Seek new areas and opportunities to partnership with fish attractor structure placement.
  • Continue angler surveys at Ohio River locks and dam tailwaters.
  • Implement AEP ReCreation Lands angler survey.


Accomplishments

  • Completed the Racine Ohio River Boat Ramp and dedication. This public ramp provides needed access to the Gallipolis pool of the Ohio River as well as access to the Racine Locks and Dam tailwaters.
  • Established public fishing agreement at Mohawk Dam
  • Established public fishing access on Tuscarawas River at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) property near Orange.
  • Partnered with ODOT and the Hocking River Commission to develop a sliding boat ramp and public fishing access at Falls Mill on the Hocking River. A sliding boat ramp was constructed in coordination with the S.R. 664 bridge replacement.
  • Conducted sportfish assessments on inland reservoirs and (separate item?) American Electric Power (AEP) ReCreation Lands.(details?)
  • Collected water quality data on inland reservoirs.
  • Conducted angler surveys on inland reservoirs. (details?)
  • Partnered with conservation clubs and other government agencies to place fish attractor structures at Burr Oak Lake, Ross Lake, Timbre Ridge Lake, Lake Vesuvius, Salt Fork Lake, Piedmont Lake, and Wolf Run Lake.
  • Fish management staff along with local sportsmen’s groups and youth constructed and placed fish attractor structures in Burr Oak Lake.  This partnership has become an annual event. Over 30 adults and youth constructed and placed over 750 Christmas trees, pallet structures, and cribs on one Saturday morning and afternoon.
  • Conducted sportfish assessments for black bass and Sander (walleye, sauger) at multiple pool and tailwaters on the Ohio River.
  • Conducted angler surveys at various tailwaters on the Ohio River.
  • Implemented a post card angler survey at AEP ReCreation Lands.

Connections


Initiatives

  • Continue participation in fish management related Web page content development.(details?)
  • Increase Conservation Club attendance.
  • Develop fish management related video segments for Web site.


Accomplishments

  • Staff participated in the West Virginia Outdoor Show
  • Staff presented at the Outdoor Writers of Ohio Annual Conference
  • Staff participated in several electrofishing demonstrations at Scioto Brush Creek for the annual Scioto Brush Creek Days educational event.
  • Staff worked at several fish identification and stream conservation displays at the annual Chillicothe Arbor Day event and Athens County FFA Day.
  • Staff assisted with the annual League of Ohio Sportsmen Catfish Tournament held in Marietta.


Traditions


Initiatives

  • Continue participation in established recruitment and retention activities. (details?)
  • Seek new water areas for youth float.

Accomplishments
  • Conducted an annual Hocking River Youth Float. Information and Education, Outdoor Skills, Fish Management, and Law Enforcement staff, as well as volunteers, guided eight youths drawn from post cards sent to Division of Wildlife. The youth anglers spent the day canoeing and fishing the Hocking River and completing the Passport to Fishing Program. Stops were made to seine riffles, collect and identify non-sportfish and invertebrates. A fish filleting and cooking demonstration was conducted after the event. A Wild Ohio segment was also filmed of the event.
  • Collected fish for the annual American Electric Power (AEP) Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs (HOFNOD) Family Fishing Day.
  • Staff participated in the annual Fishing 101 youth event with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.
  • Staff assisted with the Muskingum Valley Boy Scout Fishing Derby.