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2010 Sport Fish Consumption Advisories Announced

West Virginia - -(FishNLand.com)- The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has updated the West Virginia Sport Fish Consumption Advisory for 2010. DHHR partners with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to develop consumption advisories for fish caught in West Virginia.

Fish consumption advisories are updated each year to help West Virginia anglers and their families make educated choices about eating the fish they catch.

The 2010 advisory is the result of reviewing recent fish tissue data and re-analysis of historical data. Improved data analysis methodology to isolate fish from specific water known to have higher concentrations of contaminants have resulted in less restrictive statewide advisories in some species and additional stricter advisories for specific waters. The only change to the current advisory is as follows: The advisory limiting consumption of channel catfish, all sizes, caught from the Monongahela River has been removed. The 2010 statewide consumption advisory for Channel Catfish should be followed.

The 2010 advisories can be reviewed at www.wvdhhr.org/fish, obtained from DHHR or found in the 2010 DNR fishing regulations.

Low levels of chemicals like PCBs, mercury, selenium and dioxin have been found in some fish from certain waters. An advisory is advice and should not be viewed as law or regulation. It is intended to help anglers and their families decide where to fish, what types of fish to eat, how to limit the amount and frequency of fish eaten and how to prepare and cook fish to reduce contaminants.

Women of childbearing age, children and people who regularly eat fish are particularly susceptible to contaminants that build up over time. Individuals falling into one of these categories should be especially careful to follow the guidelines.

This advisory covers only sport fish caught in West Virginia waters. Safety regulations and advisories for fish in the marketplace are the responsibility of the United States Food and Drug Administration. More information can be found at

www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm110591.htm

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Choose Proper Equipment When Ice Fishing

LINCOLN, Neb. –-(FishNLand.com)- Ice fishing can be a great way to beat cabin fever and it can be one of the best times of the year to catch fish. However, to take advantage of ice fishing opportunities some gear is essential to make the experience comfortable and productive.

Never venture out onto the ice until it is certain that the ice is a safe thickness.

Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, has the following recommendations for essential ice-fishing equipment:

Clothing – There are a number of pac boots available that have removable liners and are rated for temperatures well below zero. Spend as much money as you can afford on a good pair of boots because you will be standing on the ice.

There are a variety of hats that will keep your head and ears warm; consider a fur hat — nothing beats fur for warmth and style.

The key to staying warm is layering. Begin with a base layer of silk or synthetic underwear and add layers. Wool garments provide excellent insulation and will maintain warmth even when damp. Outer layers may include sweat shirts and jackets covered by heavy parkas, bibs or coveralls. Carry at least a couple pairs of gloves or mittens. Remove layers during periods of activity to avoid sweating and add layers back on during periods of inactivity.

Safety – The best tool for checking ice thickness is an ice chisel or spud bar that may be used to strike the ice and evaluate ice conditions. Commercial or homemade ice picks should be worn around your neck in case the worst happens and you need something to grip the ice and pull yourself out of the water.

Try ice creepers or ice cleats; they are great for keeping you on your feet. Wearing a life jacket is a good idea until you are sure the ice is safe. All ice anglers should have a long piece of rope in case of emergency.

Ice Holes – A spud bar may be used to make holes in the ice, but ice augers make the job easier. Hand augers are relatively inexpensive and would be the best investment for beginning ice anglers. The most important thing about ice augers is to keep the blades sharp. Purchase an extra set of blades to ensure you have at least one set of sharp blades on every trip.

Once a person is ready to make a greater investment in ice-fishing equipment, gas-powered augers make the job even easier. An ice skimmer is essential for scooping ice chunks from holes.

Rods and Reels, Hooks and Bait – Beginners may use their open-water fishing rods and reels. Specialized, shorter, ice fishing rods allow anglers to sit closer to their ice holes while they are fishing. There are a variety of ice-fishing rods on the market, or anglers can manufacture their own using broken open-water rods.

Think small and light for most ice-fishing tackle. Fish metabolism rates are slower during the winter so light lines with relatively small hooks, jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms or maggots are the best ice-fishing tools for most species of fish.

Borrow a child’s sled to haul your equipment onto the ice. Use heavier lines and larger baits for pike and other large predator fish.

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2010 Trout Fishing Opportunities Await Anglers at State’s Castalia Fish Hatchery
Applications may be made online at wildohio.com.

COLUMBUS, OH --(FishNLand.com)- Controlled trout-fishing opportunities on Cold Creek, one of Ohio’s most unique streams, again await fishing enthusiasts who enter a special lottery conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

A half-mile section of the creek, located at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County, will again be open to a limited number of anglers on selected dates between March 29 and October 29 next year. Anglers interested in fishing the stream must submit an application form and a non-refundable $5 application fee between December 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009 in order to be eligible for the random drawing. Application forms can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. Save money by applying online at www.wildohio.com for only $3 per application.

Only one application is allowed per person. Application information can be obtained from the ODNR Division of Wildlife Web site wildohio.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.

There will be two seasons: one for adults (March 29 through June 3 and August 23 through October 29), and one for youths age 16 and under (June 7 through August 20). Approximately 90 adult and 50 youth permits will be issued. Individuals selected to participate will be allowed to bring two adults and three youths under the age of 16 (no more than six people total). Participation is determined by a computer-generated random drawing, which is held in early March. Successful applicants will be notified by mail of their fishing dates. Applicants not chosen will not be notified.

Special fishing rules will be in effect for this event to ensure that a quality fishing experience is maintained throughout the season. One of these special rules prohibits catch-and-release fishing, with wildlife officials requiring that anglers keep all fish they catch. The daily bag limit will be five trout per angler.

Anglers will be required to check in at the hatchery upon arrival and check out at the end of their session. Fishing sessions will be open from 7 a.m. to noon. Anglers age 16 and older will need a valid 2009 Ohio fishing license.

An Ohio resident annual fishing license costs $19; a one-day fishing license costs $11. Those who purchase a one-day fishing license may later return it to a license agent to receive credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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