2006 Ohio Muskie Fishing Outlook

By Chris DePaola

Last year was an exceptional year for the muskie angler in Ohio. According to records obtained from the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club, over 1,700 muskie were submitted in 2005, up 25% from 2004. The highlight was Leesville Lake in Carroll County, where over 500 muskie were caught and released. Despite the hotter-than-normal summer in 2005, the fishing was very good. Several veteran muskie fishermen agree that last season was one of the best in recent memory. According to ODNR District 3 Supervisor Phil Hillman, muskie fisherman should experience excellent fishing in all of Northeastern Ohio muskie lakes in 2006.
Let's take a quick recap of the Ohio Muskie program. Ohio has little, if any, natural reproduction. The state's muskie fishing is heavily dependent upon annual stocking. Currently, the state stocks eight program lakes and two surplus lakes. The list includes: Alum Creek, Caesar Creek, Clear Fork, Piedmont, Leesville, Cowan, Salt Fork and West Branch. Lake Milton and Pymatuning are the two surplus lakes and are only stocked with muskie when the state has excess fingerlings available. The fingerlings are planted in program lakes each fall and average ten inches in length.
Below is a brief snap-shot of Northeast Ohio muskie fishing:
Piedmont Lake:
Guernsey and Harrison counties - 2,273 acres
Results for 2005 were good. One hundred seventy-six fish were reported, ten of which were more than 42 inches and two fish over the 50-inch mark. Since 2000, more then 14,000 muskie have been stocked. The outlook for 2006 is excellent, with a good number of big fish available. This lake has a history of producing giant fish, especially early in the season. Remember that this lake has a 9.9 horsepower restriction.
Leesville:
Carroll County - 1,045 acres
Once again, this little "Gem" accounted for 585 muskies last year, the most reported by any lake in the state. One hundred twelve were 42 inches or larger and three fish were 50 inches. Since 2000, more then 7,000 muskie have been stocked. The outlook for 2006 is excellent. This is a great "numbers" lake, with some big fish mixed in to keep you busy. This is a 9.9 horsepower restricted lake.
Salt Fork:
Guernsey County - 2,952 acres
Despite problems with the water level in 2005, one hundred seventeen fish were reported. Twenty-six fish were 42 inches or larger and four measured more then 50 inches. Repairs were made to the dam and water levels should return to normal pool in 2006. Since 2000, over 16,000 muskie have been stocked and the outlook for 2006 is excellent. This lake has a reputation for producing some big fish. Plenty of casting and trolling opportunities are available on this beautiful lake.
West-Branch:
Portage County - 2,616 acres
This well known muskie hot spot had a good 2005 with 72 fish reported. Fourteen of the fish were 42 inches or larger, with one over the 50-inch mark. The outlook for 2006 is good. Over 14,000 muskie have been stocked since 2000. I like to fish this lake on the weekdays. The boat traffic on the weekends can be unbearable.
Lake Milton:
Mahoning County - 1,684 acres
One hundred thirty-three fish were reported in 2005, well above the eighty-three reported in 2004. Thirteen fish were above 42 inches. Lake Milton is on the surplus stocking list and isn't stocked every year. Since 2000, over 9,000 muskie have been stocked. The outlook for 2006 is excellent with an above average number of fish available.
Pymatuning Lake:
Ashtabula County 14,650 acres
Pymatuning is one of Ohio's surplus lakes and doesn't receive muskie fingerlings each year. However, Pennsylvania stocks 7,000 fingerlings annually. During the past seven years, over 60,000 muskie have been stocked. The fishing has been very good as a direct result of this stocking program. In 2005, seventy-one fish were reported, with eight over the 42-inch mark. This lake is a muskie fishermen's paradise with miles of weed beds and plenty of room to explore. Contrary to some reports, this lake is still ten horsepower restricted in 2006.
We have some of the best muskie fishing in the country located in Northeastern Ohio. With no closed seasons and a very good stocking program, you could expect excellent muskie fishing in any of the lakes mentioned. Remember to practice catch, photo and release(CPR).