ODNR 3RD ROD RULE

The ODNR has a new chief and there are numerous upper management changes. As a result to these changes the rumor has it from internal sources that there would be little resistance to changing the rod limit from two to three per person. Here are the locations for the March 2 meetings:

OPEN HOUSES

Saturday, March 2, 2013 Seven locations across the state: Central Ohio (Link to map) Wildlife District One Office 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus 614-644-3925 Northwest Ohio (Link to map) Wildlife District Two Office 952 Lima Ave, Findlay 419-424-5000 Northeast Ohio (Link to map) Wildlife District Three Office 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron 330-644-2293 Southeast Ohio (Link to map) Wildlife District Four Office 360 E State St., Athens 740-589-9930 Southwest Ohio (Link to map) Greene County Fish and Game Association Clubhouse 1538 Union Road, Xenia 937-372-9261 Lake Erie (east) (Link to map) Fairport Fisheries Unit 1190 High Street, Fairport Harbor (440) 352-4199 Old Woman Creek (Link to map) 2514 Cleveland Road E, Huron (419) 433-7599 These events are open and public participation is encouraged. Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio’s professional wildlife management process is welcome. Fish and wildlife biologists along with law enforcement officers will be on hand to answer questions and receive comments.  Courtesy of ODNR

CAPTAIN'S REPORT 1/28

Talked to Steve Carlson over the weekend and here are two dates to remember in 2013. The first date which is coming soon is March 9 and involves the South Shore Annual Fishing Seminar and Open House. This is a seminar you must attend if you are looking to learn more on walleye fishing techniques.  Will update details on this seminar when available.  The second date is the Fish Huron Walleye Challenge and it will be held on October 5. There is a possibility that this tournament will be increased to 100 boats but that is yet to be determine. Additional information on this tournament is posted on the Ohio Game Fishing Website. Only 31 days until the first of March.........see you on the water sometime in March.

CHARTER SPECIAL

Only six days remain to take advantage of my HOLIDAY SPECIAL which ends on January 31. All NEW bookings receive a 100.00 dollar discount on all full day charters. If interested contact BudMan Charters at 419-602-4486. This is a good opportunity to purchase a holiday gift certificate for that special person and to reserve a date for that hot early spring fishing. Catch that HAWG to hang on your wall..................JUST SAYIN!

FISH SPECIES CHART COURTESY OF ODNR

The following chart shows fish found in Ohio waters, click on their name and read its description along with a picture and information about its habitat and reproduction. I will leave this chart on my website as a quick reference throughout the coming fishing season.   It might become useful. I found it very informative as I checked some of the common fish we have here in Lake Erie. Enjoy!

Alewife Alligator Gar American Brook Lamprey American Eel Banded Darter Bigeye Chub Bigeye Shiner Bigmouth Buffalo Bigmouth Shiner Black Buffalofish Black Bullhead Black Crappie Black Redhorse Blackchin Shiner Blacknose Shiner Blackside Darter Blackstriped Topminnow Bluebreast DarterBlue Catfish Blue Pike Bluegill Sunfish Blue Sucker Bluntnose Minnow Bowfin Brindled Madtom Brook Silverside Brook Stickleback Brook Trout Brown Bullhead Brown Trout Bullhead Minnow Burbot Central Mudminnow Central StonerollerChain Pickerel Channel Catfish Channel Darter Channel ShinerChinook Salmon CiscoCoho Salmon Common Carp Common Shiner Creek Chub Creek Chubsucker Diamond Darter Dusky Darter Eastern Sand Darter Emerald Shiner Fathead Minnow Fantail Darter Flathead Catfish Freshwater Drum Ghost Shiner Gilt Darter Gizzard Shad Golden Redhorse Golden ShinerGoldeye Goldfish Grass Carp Grass Pickerel Gravel Chub Green Sunfish Greater Redhorse Greenside Darter Harelip Sucker Highfin Carpsucker Hornyhead Chub Hybrid Striped Bass Iowa Darter Johnny Darter Lake Chubsucker Lake Sturgeon Lake Trout Lake Whitefish Largemouth Bass Least Brook Lamprey Least Darter Logperch Darter Longear Sunfish Longhead Darter Longnose Dace Longnose Gar Longnose Sucker Mimic Shiner Mississippi Silvery MinnowMooneye Mosquitofish Mottled Sculpin Mountain Brook Lamprey Mountain Madtom Muskellunge Northern Brook Lamprey Northern Hogsucker Northern Madtom Northern Pike  Northern Studfish Ohio Lamprey Orangespotted Sunfish Orangethroat Darter Paddlefish Pink Salmon Pirate Perch Popeye Shiner Pugnose Minnow Pugnose Shiner Pumpkinseed Sunfish Quillback Carpsucker Rainbow DarterRainbow Smelt Rainbow Trout Redear Sunfish Redfin Shiner Redside Dace River Carpsucker River Chub River Darter River Redhorse River Shiner Rock Bass Rosyface Shiner Rosyside Dace Round Goby Sand Shiner Sauger Saugeye Scarlet Shiner Scioto Madtom Sea Lamprey Shoal Chub Shorthead Redhorse Shortnose Gar Shovelnose SturgeonSilver Chub Silver Lamprey Silver Redhorse Silver Shiner Silverjaw MinnowSkipjack Herring Slenderhead Darter Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth Buffalo Smallmouth Redhorse Southern Redbelly DaceSpoonhead Sculpin Spotfin Shiner Spottail Shiner Spotted Bass Spotted DarterSpotted GarSpotted Sucker Steelcolor Shiner Stonecat Madtom Streamline Chub Striped Bass Striped Shiner Suckermouth Minnow Tadpole MadtomThreadfin Shad Tippecanoe Darter Trout Perch Tubenose Goby Variegate Darter Walleye Warmouth Western Banded Killifish Western Blacknose Dace Western Tonguetied Minnow White BassWhite Catfish White Crappie White Perch White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

LOW WATER LEVELS ON LAKE ERIE

The US Army Corps of Engineers are projecting lower water levels expected for 2013. Their report on all of the Great Lakes reads as follow:

The water level of Lake Superior is 1 inch below its level from one year ago, while Lake Michigan-Huron is 17 inches lower. Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 20, 24, and 16 inches, respectively, lower than their levels of a year ago. Over the next month, Lake Superior is forecasted to drop 3 inches from its current level while Lake Michigan-Huron is expected to fall 1 inch. The water levels of Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are each expected to remain near their current levels in the next month, while Lake Ontario is predicted to remain, rise 1 inch from it current level.

We really need ran and snow up north and the lake to freeze to stop the winter water evaporation. Courtesy of OGF.

MID-AMERICAN BOAT SHOW FISHING SEMINAR SCHEDULE

The schedule for fishing seminars for the Mid-American Boat Show are listed below and the field of speakers are some of the best walleye fishermen on the Lake. Make sure you take advantage of having so many talented walleye fishermen in one show. All are experts in their specified fields and they all catch trophy size walleyes. Enjoy the show! 

WHAT: Progressive Insurance Mid-America Boat Show
 WHEN: Jan. 17-21.
WHERE: International Exposition Center, One I-X Center Dr., Cleveland.
ADMISSION:  $12, seniors $11, kids 12 and under free.
SHOW HOURS: Thursday, 3-9 p.m.; Friday, noon–9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
INFORMATION: Visit clevelandboatshow.com or call 440-899-5009.
Fishing Stage Schedule
 Thursday 3:30 p.m. - Jim Stedke, Lake Erie Walleye from March to December
 5 p.m. - Gary and Nicholas Zart, The way of the Worm
 7 p.m. - Lane Valentine, Sonar: The Basics and Beyond
 Friday
 7 p.m. - Lane Valentine, Sonar: Understanding Down and Side Imaging
 5 p.m. - Jonathan Shoemaker, Spring Walleye Techniques
 7 p.m. - Mark Brumbaugh, Walleye Crankbait Techniques                                           
Saturday Noon - Kids Fishing Clinic
 2-5 p.m. - Walleye College with Travis Hartman, Jim Stedke, Scott Stecher, Rich Stedke, Mark Brumbaugh
 6 p.m. - Lance Valentine, Sonar: The Lure is Last
Sunday Noon - John Csizmadia, Tips for Walleye on Your Home Waters
 1-4 p.m. - Bass College with Jonathan Shoemaker, Bryan Coates, Joe Balog
 4:30 p.m. - Lance Valentine, Advanced GPS
Monday  Noon - Jim Stedke and Travis Hartman, The Right Speed for Walleye
 1:30 p.m. - John Hageman, Advanced Ice Fishing Tips
 3:30 p.m. - Jeff Liskay, Steelhead Alley: Blue Water to Rivers

MID-AMERICA BOAT SHOW

Looking for something to break up your winter until you can get back on the water then maybe next week the Mid-America Boat Show is the ticket. The show runs from January 17 through January 21 and you can obtain a combo ticket which includes the Cleveland Outdoor Adventure Show. Visit www.clevelandboatshow.com for all the details and show times. Only 47 days until March 1st but who's counting!

ONTARIO POACHERS 1/11

Interesting that I found this article because I had heard from a coast guard officer that little action was taken when this occurred last spring. Great to see that we are protecting our resources. Excellent job ODNR and keep up the good work!!! Ontario Fishing Company Fined $5,000 for Illegally Fishing in Ohi0   PORT CLINTON, OH – Pisces Fisheries Inc. of Wheatley, Ontario, was fined $5,000 for fishing illegally in Ohio waters, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Pisces Fisheries was sentenced by the Ottawa County Municipal Court in Port Clinton on Dec. 21, 2012, by Magistrate Louis P. Wargo III. “This was a great multi-agency response,” said Gino Barna, ODNR Division of Wildlife law supervisor for the Lake Erie Law Enforcement Unit. “Gill nets have not been a major issue on Lake Erie in recent years because of the cooperation with other agencies. Because of this support network, incidents like this do not go undetected, and Ohio’s resources are better protected.” The charges were the result of the Adco II, a gill net tug owned by Pisces Fisheries, fishing with gill nets in Ohio waters on two separate occasions. On May 5, 2012, the ODNR Division of Wildlife, with the assistance of the Office of Air and Marine, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Station Marblehead and ODNR Division of Watercraft, five nets belonging to the Adco II were found in Ohio waters north of North Bass Island. On May 9, 2012, five more nets set by the Adco II were found by the U.S. Border Patrol south of Middle Sister Island in Ohio waters. The USCG monitored the nets throughout the night and boarded the Adco II the following morning. Wildlife investigators from the Lake Erie Law Enforcement Unit investigated the incidents. Two charges were filed for possessing gill nets in Ohio, and two charges were filed for fishing with commercial nets in Ohio without a commercial license. The use of gill nets is not a legal method for taking fish in Ohio. Although commercial fishermen may use other types of nets, such as trap nets and seines, gill nets were outlawed in Ohio in 1983. Anyone who observes or suspects wildlife violations are occurring may report illegal activity by calling the Turn-In-A-Poacher (TIP) hotline toll free at 1-800-POACHER. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.com. Courtesy of the ODNR website.

CAPTAIN'S REPORT ASIAN CARP 01/09

Happy New Year to all ! Finally managed to get my internet connection back up and running after changing to a new provider and bundling five devices on a new 4G jetpack. In addition I managed to talk my wife into dropping our land line and thats taken years to accomplish. My two new year resolutions are still being followed, a diet and no more cigars. On the fishing front not much to report, the western basin was glazed over a couple of days ago but that will be gone with the 50 degree temperature on Friday and Saturday. After finding Asian Carp eDNA in water samples from Sandusky Bay last July, ODNR has posted a YouTube video on their website on learning to identify Asian Carp. Keep in mind no live fish have been found but finding eDNA was not expected. You can read the entire article on the ODNR Division of Wildlife Website under fishing.  If anyone has a questionable fish both Ohio and Michigan agencies have requested the following:

If anglers or constituents have observed or captured an Asian carp, immediately notify ODNR at 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543). Photograph the fish from nose to tail, and retain the fish on ice for verification. Photographs can be sent directly to ODNR at wildohio.com by clicking on the Asian Carp link and following the instructions.

Identification guides, frequently asked questions and management plans are also available online at www.wildohio.com. Courtesy of the Division of Wildlife.