More than 80,000 rainbow trout traveled across Ohio to stock 45 lakes, including a local one, and ponds in preparation for spring fishing, according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Dow Lake, near Strouds Run State Park, was stocked with rainbow trout on Friday before a fishing derby the next day, said Susie Vance, spokeswoman from the Division of Wildlife.
Catchable rainbow trout measure 10 inches to 15 inches long and are stocked during both the spring and fall, she said.
These fish are big enough that someone could get a nice dinner out of one
she said.
Rainbow trout are not native to Ohio and don't reproduce in the state's waters so most of the fish stocked this spring will die during the summer months, she said.
The trout stocked at Dow Lake traveled more than three hours from the Castalia fish hatchery in Erie County, Vance said.
Following the release of these trout, fishing derbies, including one at Dow Lake on Saturday, are held to encourage veteran and beginner anglers to start fishing, Vance said.
Some lakes will have fly fishing demonstrations and advice from professionals about the best ways to catch fish she said.
Dow Lake has 171 acres of fishing water, reaching a maximum depth of more than 30 feet.
In addition to the stocked rainbow trout, the lake has populations of large mouth bass, channel catfish, crappie and bluegill.
Some of the more popular baits used during early spring fishing include corn, cheese, night crawlers and chicken livers.
Unlike hunting in Ohio, fishing for the most part is not divided into seasons, Vance said.
The basic rule is anytime of the year you can get your hook under the water
it's a good time to fish
she said.
However, an annual fishing license needs to be purchased to legally fish in public waters. The 2009-2010 fishing license costs $19 and is valid until February 2010, said Vance, adding that one-day licenses also can be purchased for $11.
Rainbow trout releases will continue through mid-May, during which the Ohio Division of Wildlife will offer free fishing days on May 2 and 3. On those days any Ohio resident may fish without a license.
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Jessica Neidhard
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Assistant Scout Master Dick Ritz and Justin Hook fish at Dow Lake at Strouds run during the Trout Derby Saturday. (Sara C. Tobias)
