LAKE MILTON, OH- During any given winter in Northeast Ohio, most reservoirs are drawn down so that ice formation does not harm docks or dam structures. This year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Lake Milton State Park have agreed to lower Lake Milton to eight feet below summer pool. With this dramatic drawdown, the Division of Wildlife will use this opportunity to enhance the habitat around several key areas around the State Park.
At 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, crews from the Divisions of Wildlife and State Parks & Recreation will be on site at the youth fishing dock near the bathhouse on Grandview Road. Similar work will take place later that day near the handicapped accessible fishing dock. This dock is located near the boat launch on Jersey Street. These two areas have been identified as areas to introduce weighted spools and unused pine trees by Division of Wildlife personnel. “Good shore fishing spots at larger reservoirs are limited, so we really try to enhance the sites we have.” says Matt Wolfe, Fisheries Biologist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife, who oversees this project. “These two areas that we have targeted will greatly help both the young anglers who are just beginning the sport of fishing, and the handicapped anglers who are limited in where they can go.” added Wolfe.
With limited funding available, none of this would be possible without the help of local organizations who have contributed to this effort. The Cleveland Chapter of Muskies, Inc., First Energy Corporation, and Austintown Township Parks have all contributed, showing their support in reaching out to the next generation of anglers and retaining anglers that already enjoy the fishing.
After introducing the structures, the locations are marked with a GPS unit and the information is placed on lake maps which are then distributed to interested anglers. Anglers who would like to obtain the locations of structures in Lake Milton or any other reservoir in northeast Ohio should contact Wildlife District Three, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, OH 44319 or call (330) 644-2293.