Ohio Trout Stockings 2012

Every year the Ohio DNR stocks many lakes and ponds around Ohio with catch-able size trout. Most of these waters can't support the trout through the entire year. The water is simply too warm. I won't get into my opinions on conservation, dollars spent, etc. regarding this government handout. I understand it's too provide opportunity in areas where it might not exist otherwise...

So get out there and take advantage of this opportunity with the wiggle fish before they succumb to the heat or somebody else catches them. According to the Buckeye Sportsmen Podcast, Dan Armitage says don't over think it. A crappie minnow a foot below a bobber is all you need.

Check out the Ohio spring planned stockings here.

Photo from the Ohio DNR Website.

The Department of Artificial Resources: Stocking, Habitat and Access

The Ohio Department of "Natural" Resources is in the process of the stocking trout of "catchable size" in numerous ponds and lakes around Ohio. In the fall the agency releases rooster pheasants at a variety of public hunting areas around the state. I put the "Natural" in quotes because in many instances what they are actually doing is creating an "Artificial" Resource. Maybe "Outdoor" Resources is a more accurate and acceptable definition.

I understand this practice and believe it has a place. While wild naturally producing stocks would be preferred, in most cases the trout releases are near human populations and in bodies of water that don't offer many opportunities aside from the release. Same deal with the pheasants. It's an access issue. They give people without access to private land opportunity to pursue upland birds, while some other public areas are managed for wild pheasants.

What I don't really understand or agree with is the stocking of sterile hybrids in viable wild areas. Obviously this applies to primarily to fisheries (although a release of 100% roosters is essentially sterile). But why saugeyes in lakes or wipers in the Ohio River? It seems that this would make it even more difficult for the native species by competing with them for food and habitat. It seems like a net loss, when the real issue, where the money really should be spent, is on improving the habitat so that the native species can thrive. Those are the natural resources.

Photo Some rights reserved by Dennis Dalton