TROUT FISHING OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT ANGLERS AT STATE'S CASTALIA FISH HATCHERYLottery entry forms available online at ohiodnr.com COLUMBUS, OH -- Controlled trout-fishing opportunities on Cold Creek, one of Ohio's most unique streams, will again await fly-fishing enthusiasts who enter a special lottery conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. A half-mile section of the creek, located at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County, will again be open to a limited number of anglers from April 5 through October 29 this year. Those interested in fishing the stream must submit an application form, along with a non-refundable $3 application fee, before March 1 in order to be eligible for the random drawing. Forms are available for download on the ODNR Division of Wildlife web site at ohiodnr.com. Postcards will no longer be accepted for the drawing. Completed forms and application fees should be mailed to: Castalia Trout Fishing, c/o Division of Wildlife, 1840 Belcher Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43224. Successful applicants will be notified by mail of their fishing dates. There will be two seasons: one for adults (April 5 through June 4 and August 23 through October 29), and one for youths under the age of 16 (June 7 through August 20). Individuals selected for either drawing will be allowed to bring two other adults and three youths under the age of 16 (six people total). Special fishing rules will be in effect for this event to ensure that a quality fishing experience is maintained throughout the season. One of these special rules prohibits catch and release fishing, with wildlife officials requiring that anglers keep all fish they catch. The daily bag limit will be five trout per angler. Anglers will be required to check in at the hatchery upon arrival and check out at the end of their session. Fishing sessions will be open from 7 a.m. to noon. Anglers 16 years of age and older will need a valid 2004 Ohio fishing license. An Ohio resident annual fishing license for 2004 costs $19; a one-day fishing license costs $11. Those who purchase a one-day fishing license may later return it to a license agent to receive credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license.
Source: ODNR
|