December 12, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife: COLUMBUS, Ohio – Results from the annual Lake Erie fish surveys revealed that walleye hatches were below average and yellow perch hatches were above average in two of the three management zones, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Although the 2024 walleye hatch was below average, anglers will be able to enjoy many more years of remarkable fishing thanks to robust hatches from 2018 to 2023. Based on the 2024 survey results, anglers can expect good yellow perch fishing in the western half of Lake Erie. Data from annual trawl surveys conducted by the Division of Wildlife are combined with those collected by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to indicate the success of spawning and early life survival of walleye and yellow perch in the western basin. In the central basin, Ohio’s trawls are utilized in conjunction with other agency surveys to gauge hatch success. Results allow biologists to predict how many young fish will enter the catchable population two or three years later. These indices are a key piece of information used by the inter-agency Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to determine annual levels of safe harvest for walleye and yellow perch.

September 16, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is stocking nearly 20,000 muskellunge, or muskies, in nine inland lakes across the state in 2024. Muskies can grow to more than 50 inches in length and are a popular sport fish for anglers. The Division of Wildlife raises muskellunge at the Kincaid and London state fish hatcheries. The hatcheries stock 10- to 12-inch muskies in nine lakes each fall. Muskies are a predatory sport fish that grow quickly and create trophy fishing opportunities in Alum Creek Lake, C. J. Brown Reservoir, Caesar Creek Lake, Clearfork Reservoir, Lake Milton, Leesville Lake, Piedmont Lake, Salt Fork Lake, and West Branch Reservoir. In addition to reservoirs where they are stocked, muskellunge are caught in many of Ohio’s river systems.

August 29, 2024, Press Release by Casey Heilman Allen SWCD District Administrator: Due to the popularity of its spring fish sale, the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District has decided to hold a Fall Fingerling Fish Sale and is now accepting orders until Tuesday, September 10th. Thanks in part to the crisp autumn air, fall is a fantastic time to introduce any new species of fish or boost the population of a pond. Not only does the cool water temperatures help to reduce stress on the fish, but it also makes for a quicker adjustment to a pond’s environment.

Despite the rain drops, area kids and families gathered at Faurot Park and casted their lines for the annual 'Youth Fishing Derby' organized by the City of Lima and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

It was all smiles as some lucky students from Lima's West Middle School took a fishing expedition. Several of these students have never had the chance to fish or ride in a boat, but that all changed today. It has become an annual event that the City of Lima's Park and Recreation and Utilities Departments, along with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, provide for Allen County students. Rods, reels, wax worms, and instructions are provided for the kids to have a great experience.

May 8, 2024, Press Release from the United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of Ohio: TOLEDO - An Ohio man pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act by dumping pollutants and hazardous substances into waterways that killed thousands of fish in the Scioto River. According to court documents, on April 17, 2021, Mark Shepherd, age 72, Kenton, Ohio, negligently, and without a permit or in violation of a permit, discharged into the Scioto River near Kenton, Ohio, approximately 7,000 gallons of a substance containing ammonia, a pollutant and hazardous substance. The substances originated from Shepherd’s facilities—Cessna Transport Inc. and A.G. Bradley Inc.—which he owned and operated in the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division.

April 2, 2024 Press Release from the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District: The Allen Soil and Water Conservation District is holding its…

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources are cleaning out its hatcheries and they brought a truckload of bluegills to Schoonover Lake. They are fingerlings but this will make the 3rd time the lake has been stocked in the last year or so. Last spring there were trout and in the fall catfish were brought and put into the lake.

WAPAKONETA, OH (WLIO) - The beginning phase of the new Artist Avenue was celebrated Thursday afternoon with the unveiling of a mural that repr…

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The City of Lima and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources teamed up Tuesday to teach Lima kids to love fishing.