Pointe North ponds grand opening is Sunday


How To Go

What: Pointe North grand opening

When: 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Pointe North ponds, Urbana

More info: Contact ODNR Wildlife Officer Jeff Tipton at 614-902-4209

Pointe North, a cluster of city-owned ponds, will celebrate its official grand opening Sunday.

Pointe North is located just north of Grimes Field, at 2222 N. U.S. Route 68 in Urbana. The city purchased the property, which used to be a gravel quarry, in 2006, according to Kerry Brugger, director of administration with the city.

The spot, recently nicknamed Pointe North, had previously been used by city employees as a fishing spot, but that was shut down last year.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday with a fishing derby for kids 8 to 14 years of age. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife is sponsoring the derby, and will be providing poles and bait for the kids from the purchase of fishing licenses.

“The ODNR’s jurisdiction will be fishing and liter control. Anyone wishing to fish must have a current Ohio Fishing License,” Jeff Tipton said, an officer with Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The ponds will be bank fishing only, Tipton added. Boats are not allowed on the ponds.

According to Tiption, the largemouth bass will be regulated for catch and release only.

“The largemouth bass population is phenomenal,” Tipton said.

Tiption also added that only pan fish can be kept, which include bluegill, crappie and yellow perch. Catfish can also be kept.

The ponds have been steadily used since opening, earlier this spring.

“The largemouth bass being caught weight three to four pounds,” he continued.

Tipton said remembers a 10-pound bass being caught about 10 years ago in the ponds, before there were know as Pointe North.

Tipton has noticed a lot of families taking their children out fishing during the week. He sees a half a dozen or so people fishing at any given time.

“People are appreciative of the ponds and area, picking up liter and keeping the area clean,” Tipton said.

As of right now the ponds are fishing only with no other activities allowed. The roads circle the ponds making parking close to a fishing spot easy. “It’s a great place to fish,” Tipton said.

Pointe North is open March 1 to October 31 for fishing, 24 hours per day.

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