doorwritersofohio.org.
Lake La Su An hours cut
Due to budget constraints, anglers have
shorter fishing days at Lake La Su An
Wildlife Area. The area is now open to
Buckeye State’s
Lynchburg, who caught a 57-pound, 3.2-
public fishing from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m.
biggest fish ever
ounce blue catfish from the tailwaters of
every Thursday through Monday; the area
Meldahl Dam on the Ohio River.
Chris Rolph, of
will remain closed to fishing on Tuesdays
According to Tom Cross, the cat is likely
Williamsburg, was
and Wednesdays as in the past.
the largest fish ever taken from Ohio
fishing for catfish from
Reservations will be taken from 10 a.m.
waters by a recreational angler.
a boat on the Ohio River near Cincinnati in
until 1 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays.
Joint studies conducted by the Ohio
the early morning hours of Thursday, June
When the area is closed on Mondays due
Division of Wildlife and Kentucky Fish and
11, when he hooked and landed a 54.5-inch
to state holidays, then reservations will be
Wildlife found blue catfish populations in
Chris Rolph kneels behind his 96-pound state record
blue catfish with a 36-inch girth weighing
taken on the preceding Friday. blue catfish caught from the Ohio River near
the lower Ohio River were substantial
96 pounds.
Reservations may be made by calling 419- Cincinnati. Photo by Tom Cross
enough to warrant down listing the species
Upon landing the fish after a 30-minute
636-6189. In October, the area will only be
from “endangered” to species of special
battle, his fishing partner that night, Jon
open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“The suspension of hunting, trapping
concern. Down listing the blue catfish
Owens of Amelia, knew they had just boat-
For further information, contact Larry
or fishing privileges is a powerful deterrent
opened up sport fishing opportunities for
ed a new state record catfish and the pair
Goedde or Mike Wilkerson at Wildlife
for violations,” said Ken Fitz, law enforce-
anglers on the Ohio River, resulting in the
immediately headed back to Schmidt Field
District Two, 419-424-5000.
ment program administrator.
fish being added to the state record fish list Fitz cites two other instances where the
ramp from where they had launched. Later
by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio in 2008.
Violator Pact is working
system worked well. One person from
that morning Rolph, who kept the fish
Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biol-
alive in a large aerated stock tank, had the
Since Ohio became an Interstate
Michigan was suspended in Ohio, then
ogist Doug Maloney, at Wildlife District
fish weighed on certified scales at Bethel
Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC) mem-
went to Florida on a fishing trip and tried
Five, identified Rolph’s catch as a blue cat-
Feed and Supply.
ber state on Jan. 1, 2008, 146 violators have
to buy a license and was denied. A
fish. Blue catfish is the largest growing cat-
Rolph’s record blue catfish was caught
been entered into the system by Ohio
Pennsylvania resident was suspended in
fish in the Ohio River often weighing in
using cut skip jack for bait at approximate-
wildlife law enforcement officers. Ohio
Montana, when he contacted the ODNR
excess of 100 pounds. The Kentucky state
ly 12:45 a.m. Together, the fishermen
also has reviewed and agreed to recognize
Division of Wildlife to inquire about hunt-
record blue catfish is 104 pounds and was
caught five small catfish before hooking
more than 6,500 suspensions entered in the
ing here; he was told he cannot hunt in
also caught from the Ohio River.
the state record. Rolph wanted to release
database by 30 other member states.
Ohio until his suspension ends. Entries
Ohio state record fish are certified by
the fish unharmed therefore special
In June 2008, the first entries in the data-
made by Ohio officers include citizens of
the Outdoor Writers of Ohio State Record
arrangements were made to have the fish
base by Ohio officials were made.
Ohio (128), Wisconsin (12), Illinois (3),
Fish Committee. Assisting in the process is
examined and photographed that morning
Wisconsin fishermen had taken twice
Michigan (2) and Tennessee (1).
a fisheries biologist with the Ohio Division
by the chairman of the OWO State Record
the daily limit of walleye from Lake Erie.
The IWVC is an agreement between
of Wildlife.
Fish Committee. Afterward, the record
Their suspensions were recognized in
states that was developed to recognize
For more information on Ohio’s state
blue catfish was safely released into a large
their home state, and one of the men was
hunting, trapping and fishing license sus-
record fish program contact Tom Cross,
farm pond.
caught fishing under revocation this past
pensions across state lines. The IWVC was
chairman, OWO State Record Fish
Rolph’s blue catfish replaces the previ-
spring. He now has another year added
begun in 1991, with Arizona, Colorado,
TThhe vo v vo ooiicice yoe y y yo ou u k k
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1497 Cross Rd., Winchester,
ous record held by Keith Setty from
on to his suspension.
Nevada, Oregon and Washington joining
OH 45697, phone 937-386-2752, www.out- that year.
July 2009
THANK A FARMER TOUR
Coming to a location near you:
July 16 :: Miami Valley Steam Threshers in Plain City
July 21 :: Ottawa County Fair
D
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yo
July 24 :: Mid-Ohio Antique Farm Machinery Show in Plain City
July 27 :: Clark County Fair
July 29 :: Ohio State Fair Junior Market Lamb Show
July 30 :: Union County Fair
July 31 :: Northwest Ohio Antique Show
Please note that dates and times may change, so check out
www.ohioagnet.com for an updated listing.
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www.ohioagnet.com
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34 Country Life • Ohio’s Country Journal • July 2009
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