Oct
6
ODNR Division of WildlifeWritten by:
10/6/2008
Ohio Hatcheries Stock Nearly 3,500 Brown Trout into Clear Creek
ATHENS, OH – Ohio Division of Wildlife’s State fish hatcheries and fish biologists have recently completed the annual stocking of nearly 3,500 yearling brown trout into Clear Creek, located in Hocking and Fairfield counties. Not to be confused with catchable rainbow trout, which are stocked in several lakes throughout Ohio in the fall, these fish are less than eight inches in length, requiring at least a year or two to reach legal size.
“Brown trout are an excellent cold river fish species, however suitable habitat is found in very few locations in Ohio. The Division of Wildlife surveyed potential cold water streams statewide several years ago - Clear Creek was the only stream in southeast Ohio that could support a brown trout fishery” stated Tim Parrett, fish management supervisor for southeast Ohio.
The Division of Wildlife’s fish hatcheries have annually stocked brown trout into Clear Creek for the past 10 years in an ongoing effort to maintain a fishable population of this popular trout species. These annual stockings are critical to the success of the Clear Creek fishery because the creek does not offer suitable spawning habitat for the brown trout to naturally reproduce. Anglers can catch brown trout in Clear Creek year round using a variety of techniques such as fly gear or light spinning tackle using small spinners, spoons, or jigs.
Specific regulations are in effect for brown trout in Clear Creek from the first Fairfield County Road 69 bridge (east of the junction of County Road 26 and 29) to U.S. Rt. 33 bridge in Hocking County. Trout anglers are reminded there is a minimum size limit of 12 inches and a possession limit of two fish. These regulations can be found in the 2008/2009 Ohio Fishing Regulations or online at www.wildohio.com
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