“Taking the Castalia State Fish Hatchery offline for fish production was a necessary part of completing this much-needed upgrade,” said Ray Petering, Division of Wildlife executive administrator of Fish Management and Research. “For this year only, the total number of fish available for fall stockings is 4,000 instead of the usual 25,000.”
The trout that will be available come from the London Fish Hatchery, and only two places in southwest Ohio will receive trout. Based on proximity to large population areas and fishing licenses sold, Sycamore State Park near Trotwood will be stocked on Oct. 6 and Stonelick Lake in Clermont County will be stocked on Oct. 21.
Debbie Walters, who will be the next District 5 fish management supervisor, said she asked for 2,200 fish for Stonelick and 650 for Sycamore.
“We won’t know until they begin stocking just how many fish are available,” she said.
Petering said Castalia renovations should be completed this fall.
Shaffer wins again
Dick Shaffer of Rockford chalked up his third first-place finish this year on the Walmart BFL Hoosier Division tour, winning last weekend’s event on the Ohio River.
Shaffer, who has won over $300,000 in his professional fishing career, brought home a check for $7,004. He boated nine fish totaling 16 pounds, 1 ounce, beating Gary Dees of Hamilton who had eight bass weighing 14 pounds, 8 ounces. He won $2,502.
Shaffer fished rock and wood patterns on the main river and used a spinnerbait and topwater bait.
Roy Lester of Hamilton was second in the non-boater division. He had six bass for 7 pounds, 8 ounces, good for $1,251. James McWhorter of Hamilton was third.
Turkey season
Fall wild turkey hunting opens in 48 Ohio counties on Saturday. The season continues through Nov. 27.
“Record rainfall and regional flooding during the nesting season negatively affected wild turkey production this year,” said Ohio Division of Wildlife biologist Mike Reynolds. “Some re-nesting may have helped to offset early nest failures, but hunters will likely find fewer turkeys this fall.”
Hunters killed 1,425 wild turkeys during last year’s fall season. The state’s wild turkey population is approximately 180,000. Some 15,000 people are expected to hunt turkey this fall.
Turkeys must be checked by 11:30 p.m. on the day the bird is shot. All hunters must report their harvest of turkeys, but they are no longer required to take their turkey to a check station for physical inspection. Hunters will have three options to complete the automated game check:
• On the Internet at wildohio.com or ohiogamecheck.com.
• By telephone at 1-877-824-4864. This option is only available to those who are required to purchase a turkey permit to hunt turkeys.
• At all license agents.
For more information, visit wildohio.com or call (800) WILDLIFE.
Tuesday seminar
Tuesday’s monthly Sportsmen’s Seminar will be about secrets to hunting on public lands. The free seminar begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Greene County Highway Garage, 615 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Xenia. The seminars are sponsored by Greene County Parks and Stamper’s Boat Barn of Miamisburg.
Outdoors columnist Jim Morris can be reached through his website at www.examiner.com/ outdoor-recreation-in-dayton/jim-morris or by email at sports@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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