Jun
8
ODNR Division of WildlifeWritten by:
6/8/2007
HABITAT INTRODUCTIONS: HELPING OUT FISH AND ANGLERS
Collaborative effort aims to improve habitat in Ohio’s largest reservoir
AKRON, OH – If you have ever ventured out on an inland lake, the screen on your depth finder can be somewhat unexciting. More often than not, the bottom is very flat, and there is not much structure there. But find a spot where there is a drop off, a hump, some woody debris, or a rock reef, and the fish are likely going to be there as well. Thanks to a multi-state, multi-agency collaborative effort, anglers who fish Pymatuning Reservoir will have a few more of these hot spots to fish.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, in conjunction with the ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Habitat Management Section, The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The North Shore Boat Club, and the Pymatuning Lake Association, are planning on introducing two different types of habitat structures into the 14,650-acre reservoir located in Ashtabula County.
Fisheries biologist Matt Wolfe, who oversees this project for the Division of Wildlife, explains why these projects are needed. “These lakes have been around for decades, and the natural habitat that was once in these lakes has degraded away to nothing. Without this habitat, fish are simply lost- they do not have anything with which to associate. These efforts aim to increase habitat to which fish can relate, and anglers can then focus on these productive areas while fishing,” Wolfe said. The wood structures and rock reefs that will be placed in the reservoir are ideal for the excellent fisheries that anglers from both Ohio and Pennsylvania enjoy each year. “The rock reefs are ideal locations for perch, walleye, and smallmouth bass, and the wooden cribs will hold largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish. We've even seen muskies using similar structures on other reservoirs,” added Wolfe.
After introducing the structures, the locations are marked with a GPS unit and the information is placed on lake maps which are distributed to interested anglers. Anglers who would like to obtain the locations of structures in Pymatuning Reservoir or any other reservoir in northeast Ohio should contact Wildlife District Three at 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, OH 44319 or call (330) 644-2293.
Anglers are reminded that with a valid Ohio fishing license, the entire lake may be fished from a boat but only the Ohio shoreline if you are shore fishing. A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is needed to fish from the Pennsylvania shoreline or from any island. Please consult the 2007-2008 Fishing Regulations for current daily limits and size restrictions.
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