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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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Oregon Dept of Natural Resources Offers New Public Boating Facilities Map
Columbus, OH -(FishNLand.com)- Recreational boaters looking for a marina facility or convenient boat launch ramp can request the newly updated Ohio Boating Areas map and guide from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft. The free publication is available online at www.ohiodnr.com and by calling toll-free 1-877-4BOATER.

Recreational boating generates a statewide economic impact estimated at $3.5 billion annually, according to a 2007 Great Lakes Commission study. (http://glc.org/recboat/). Ohio’s recreational boating industry supports the fulltime equivalent of more than 26,000 jobs. Ohio also ranked ninth nationally in 2008 with a total of 411,366 registered watercraft.

Local communities with marinas, boat launch ramps and other related facilities especially benefit economically by attracting boaters to spend money locally on lodging, meals, fuel, entertainment, shopping and more, according to the Division of Watercraft.

The new Ohio Boating Areas map includes facility locations, amenities and phone numbers grouped by waterways based upon their horsepower rating and regional location such as Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Additional information on navigation rules, life jacket safety, boating safety tips and launch and loading tips for boaters is included as part of the map.

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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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Grants Awarded To Enhance Access, Habitat, Tourism Along Lake Erie
Lucas, Ottawa, Erie, Cuyahoga and Lake Counties to directly benefit
Sandusky, OH -(FishNLand.com)- Ten organizations and government entities will receive grant funding for projects that will contribute more than $1 million in improvements to Lake Erie Watershed communities and resources.

The Coastal Management Assistance Grants, awarded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management, will help fund a green infrastructure feasibility study, a lakefront revitalization plan, interactive educational exhibits that highlight Lake Erie-related industries and promote tourism and efforts to improve beach quality. Each project selected for funding addresses at least one of the Ohio Coastal Management Program’s funding categories, including the protection and restoration of Lake Erie coastal resources, promotion of sustainable land use and community planning, coastal resource management education and outreach, and research and data collection.

The Office of Coastal Management dedicates a portion of its federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funding to the Coastal Management Assistance Grant program. This year, Coastal Management Assistance Grants will provide $359,168 to enhance Lake Erie communities and resources.

Projects from eight local entities and two state entities - the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Lake Soil and Water Conservation District, Lake County Port Authority, Cleveland Metroparks, the Great Lakes Historical Society in Vermilion, Sandusky Area Maritime Association, Put-in-Bay Township Park District, city of Oregon, ODNR Division of Soil and Water Conservation, and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission - will receive funding this year (see editor’s note). Grant-funded projects require a match of at least 50 percent of the project’s total cost.

Applications and guidelines for the next round of grants to be awarded in 2010 will be available in September 2009 online or by contacting the Office of Coastal Management at coastal@dnr.state.oh.us or 419-626-7980.

The ODNR Office of Coastal Management works to achieve a balance between use and preservation of Lake Erie’s coastal resources, in collaboration with its partners, by effectively administering the Ohio Coastal Management Program.

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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