MORE THAN 25,000 TROUT TO BE RELEASED IN OHIO WATERS

More than 25,000 rainbow trout, measuring 10 to 13 inches in length, will be released at 25 Ohio waterways this October, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

LAKE
COUNTY
 # TROUT DATE
RUSH RUN LAKE
PREBLE
3000
 Oct 16
WASHINGTON COURTHOUSE PK
FAYETTE
750
 Oct 16
BLUE LIMESTONE PARK
DELAWARE
500
 Oct 16
GRAND LAKE ST MARYS
AUGLAIZE
500
 Oct 17
TAWAWA LAKE
SHELBY
700
 Oct 17
LIMA LAKE
ALLEN
1,300
 Oct 17
SYCAMORE STATE PARK POND
MONTGOMERY
800
 Oct 17
CROSSROADS POND
CRAWFORD
700
 Oct 18
OLANDER LAKE
LUCAS
1,000
 Oct 18
LAMBERJACK (FOSTORIA #3)
HANCOCK
1,000
 Oct 18
NORWALK RESERVOIR #1
HURON
1,000
 Oct 18
RIO GRANDE RESERVOIR
GALLIA
500
 Oct 22
WATERLOO PONDS
PIKE
500
 Oct 22
LAKE ALMA
VINTON
750
 Oct 23
ROSE LAKE
HOCKING
1,000
 Oct 23
SCIOTO TRAIL AREA LAKES
ROSS
750
 Oct 23
YOCTANGE
ROSS
750
 Oct 23
ANTRIM LAKE
FRANKLIN
2,000
 Oct 24
HERITAGE PARK POND
FRANKLIN
750
 Oct 24
FOUNDATION LAKE
KNOX
1,000
 Oct 24
BLUE ROCK LAKE
MUSKINGUM
750
 Oct 24
GRANGER POND
LAKE
1,900
 Oct 25
PAINESVILLE REC PK
LAKE
300
 Oct 25
PETROS LAKE
STARK
750
 Oct 25
OHIO ERIE CANAL
CUYAHOGA
2,100
 Oct 25
Targeting inland waters, the annual fall trout stockings provide added recreational opportunities for Ohio's anglers.

“These fish are raised in our hatcheries specifically to give anglers a chance to catch trout from the shoreline,” said John Navarro, fisheries biologist with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “It's a fun and easy way to fish; you don't need a boat or expensive equipment in order to catch these lively trout.”

The trout will be stocked in state park lakes, community park ponds and many other easy-access lakes throughout the state.

“We're putting them where they can provide the most opportunity to the most people,” said Navarro. Heritage Park Pond, a four-acre lake in Groveport in Franklin County, is a new addition to the program and will receive its first trout stocking this fall.

Anglers age 16 and older must have an Ohio fishing license. Those anglers age 66 and older may obtain a free fishing license from any Ohio license vendor. The 2002 annual resident fishing license costs $15 and is valid through the last day of February 2003. A one-day fishing license may be purchased for $7 by residents and non-residents. The one-day license may also be redeemed for credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license during the same license year.

Additional information about fall trout releases is available from Division of Wildlife district offices in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay, and Xenia, or by calling toll free 1-800-WILDLIFE.