Trout stocking to commence at 8 area lakes

The annual spring stocking of rainbow trout will soon begin at lakes and ponds across Ohio. In all, more than 98,000 rainbow trout will be released at 63 public areas.

Stocking was supposed to start last Friday, but hazardous conditions at Adams Lake forced that stocking to be postponed until March 20. That means the first lake to be stocked in southwest Ohio will be Rush Run.

Following is the stocking schedule with the number of fish proposed at each area lake:

■ Friday: Rush Run Lake (Preble County) 2,900 fish;

■ March 20: Adams Lake (Adams County) 2,000 fish.

■ March 27: Clark Lake (Clark County) 2,500 fish;

■ March 28: Sycamore State Park pond (Montgomery County) 800 fish;

■ April 5: Stonelick Lake (Clermont County) 2,900 fish;

■ April 5: Rocky Fork Lake (Highland County) 1,625 fish;

■ April 16: Tawawa Lake (Shelby County) 650 fish;

■ April 17: Davis Lake (Auglaize County) 500 fish.

“By stocking these ponds, we hope to create an opportunity for anglers to be successful, especially young anglers that might be fishing for the very first time,” ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Scott Zody said. “Trout fishing provides the ideal introduction to the outdoors for our children and can help foster a lifetime love of fishing.”

Anglers are invited to fish for the rainbows as soon as they are deposited in a lake, except at Stonelick and Rocky Fork Lakes. At those spots, kids have the first crack at the fish for a few hours during fishing derbies.

The trout are raised at state fish hatcheries and measure 10-13 inches before they are released. The daily catch limit is five trout.

Youth turkey hunt: Young turkey hunters can participate in a permit-only youth turkey hunt at Paint Creek State Park during the 2014 spring turkey season. Hunters 17 years of age and younger, accompanied by a non-hunting adult, are eligible to apply for a drawing to hunt within four specified zones April 19, 26 and May 3, 10 and 17.

Registration will be held at the Fallsville Wildlife Area, 10221 Careytown Road, New Vienna on March 29 at 2 p.m. The non-hunting adult that will be accompanying the youth hunter must enter the drawing. The permit will be issued in the adult’s name. If drawn, the youth hunter must purchase an Ohio hunting license and youth turkey permit.

For more information, call the Fallsville Wildlife Area at (937) 9872508, the Wildlife District Five Headquarters at (937) 372-9261 or visit wildohio.com.

Habitat workshop: Anyone interested in promoting wildlife habitat can attend a workshop at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 12.

The cost is $10 and light breakfast and lunch are included. For more information or to register, call (937) 854-7646, Ext. 109. The deadline is April 4 and space is limited.