2007 Ohio Muskie Fishing Outlook
By Chris DePaola
The heavy rains that pelted the region last summer didn’t seem to cause problems for muskie fisherman. According to records obtained from the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club the number of muskie reported in 2006 were above the number reported in 2005. Over 1,904 fish were registered in 2006 compared to 1,743 in 2005.
Several veteran muskie fishermen agree even with the soggy conditions fishing was exceptional. More good news according to ODNR District 3 Supervisor, Phil Hillman, muskie anglers should experience good fishing in all of Northeast Ohio muskie lakes in 2007.
Let’s take a quick recap of 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, Salt Fork and West Branch. Lake Milton and Pymatuning are the surplus lakes and only get stocked when excess fingerlings when available.
Below is a brief snap-shot of Northeast Ohio muskie fishing:
Piedmont Lake: Belmont and Harrison counties – 2,273 acres.
Results for 2006 were good. 193 reported, 58 were more than 42 inches with two fish over the 50-inch mark. Since 2002 more then 11,000 muskie have been stocked.
The outlook for 2007 is excellent, with a good number of quality fish available. This lake is a sleeper, it doesn’t get a lot of press and has a history of producing giant fish. Remember this lake has a 9.9 horsepower restriction.
Leesville: Carroll County
– 1,045 acres.
Once again this little lake accounted for 635 muskies last year, the most reported by any lake in the state. A total of 113 were 42 inches or larger and one fish was 50 inches.
Since 2002 more then 5,000 muskie have been stocked. The outlook for 2007 is excellent. This a great numbers lake with some big fish mixed in to keep you busy. A 9.9 horsepower restricted lake.
Salt Fork: Guernsey County
– 2952 acres.
Results 2006 were good with 102 fish reported. A total of 27 fish were 42 inches or larger and three measured more then 50 inches.
Since 2002 over 16,000 muskie have been stocked and the outlook for 2007 is excellent. This lake has a reputation for producing some big fish.
West Branch: Portage County
– 2,616 acres.
This well known muskie hot spot had a good 2006 with 77 fish reported, up from 73 in 2005. Eight of the fish were 42 inches or larger.
The outlook for 2007 is good. Over 13,000 muskie have been stocked since 2002. 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.
Muskie fishing was very good on Lake Milton in 2006. Over 230 fish were reported. Ten fish were above 42 inches and one surpassed the 50-inch mark. Lake Milton is on the surplus stocking list and isn’t stocked every year. Since 2002 over 4,000 muskie have been stocked. The outlook for 2007 is excellent with an above average number of fish available.
Pymatuning Lake: Ashtabula County –14,650 acres.
In 1996 a very aggressive action plan was developed to help Pymatuning. Both Ohio and Pennsylvania began annual fish stocking. During the past nine years over 50,000 muskie have been stocked.
In 2006 61 fish were reported, five were over 42 inches and one over the magic 50” 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 10-horsepower restricted in 2007.
Fisherman are blessed with plenty of high quality muskie water in the northeastern part of the state. With no closed seasons in Ohio and a first-class stocking program you could experience good muskie fishing in any of the lakes mentioned. Remember: practice (CPR) catch, photo and release. |