News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2003

TROUT FISHING OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT ANGLERS
AT STATE’S CASTALIA FISH HATCHERY

COLUMBUS, OH - Anglers interested in a special opportunity to fish the half-mile section of Cold Creek located at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County have until March 1 to submit their names for a lottery drawing, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Cold Creek is one of the most unique and picturesque streams in the state with excellent trout habitat. There are more than 100 slots available for anglers. Selected individuals will be assigned a non-changeable fishing date between March 31 and October 31.

The fishing opportunities are from March 31 through October 31, with a special youth fishing session from June 9 through August 22. Individuals will be allowed to bring two other adults and three youths under the age of 16 (six people total). Individuals selected for the youth drawing will be allowed to bring three other youths under the age of 16 and two adults (six people total).

Anglers will be selected at random from postcard entries and successful applicants will be notified by mail of their fishing dates. Interested anglers must submit a postcard no later than March 1 that includes their name, address and daytime phone number to Castalia Trout Fishing, c/o ODNR Division of Wildlife, 1840 Belcher Drive Columbus, Ohio 43224-1329. For anglers under the age of 16 interested in the special youth lottery, please mark “youth drawing” on the submitted postcard. Only one entry per angler is allowed; duplicate entries will be discarded.

The lottery application process will change in 2004. Instead of sending in a postcard, applicants will send in an application along with a non-refundable $3 application fee.

Special fishing rules will be effective at the Castalia hatchery to ensure that a quality fishing experience is maintained throughout the season. Anglers must keep all fish they catch and the daily bag limit will be five trout per angler.

Anglers will be required to check in at the hatchery upon their arrival and check out at the end of their session. Fishing sessions will be open 7 a.m. to noon. Anglers 16 years of age and older will need a valid fishing license. The 2003 fishing license is required beginning March 1. An Ohio resident annual fishing license costs $15 and a one-day fishing license costs $7. Those who purchase a one-day fishing license may later return it to receive credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license.