Great fishing close to home

Many fishers flock to the Maumee and Sandusky rivers during the spring to take advantage of the inland surge of migrating walleye, and anglers love bouncing on Lake Erie's summertime waves as they search out trophy smallmouth, walleye and jumbo perch. Unfortunately, not everybody has a big-water boat or the extra money for a dedicated charter. Add to that the heavy, wind-chopped waves that sometimes blow boaters to lakeside docks and you begin to explore other opportunities. Fortunately, in northwest Ohio, not all is lost for landlubbers or small-craft owners avoiding those wind advisories. There are several areas that offer some great fishing close to home that can still help place fish in the fryer or a bragging picture on Facebook. If you're looking for yellow perch, give Williams Reservoir in Allen County a try. This reservoir was opened in 2012 and offers good numbers of large perch — some longer than 13 inches. If fishing from a boat, start along the north or south shore where the old haul roads are still in place. Shoreline fishing in the spring and fall can be productive. Williams Reservoir has an improved concrete launch and dock. There is an electric motor-only restriction. Wind is usually more intense on this reservoir because of its height. Pay attention to wind direction and speed before venturing out. Saugeye can be found waiting at Pleasant Hill Reservoir, which lies in both Richland and Ashland counties. When possible, fish the flat just outside the marina, as well as where the reservoir bends south to the dam. Saugeye fishing is also good just off the beach in 10 to 15 feet of water. Try fishing near the beach at night with a jig tipped with a live minnow near the bottom. An improved boat launch has courtesy docks, as well as an accessible fishing dock. This lake is unlimited horsepower for boat motors and it is sometimes busy. Try fishing in the upper end of the reservoir when it gets crowded. While visiting Pleasant Hill Reservoir, don't forget that there are plenty of crappies lurking beneath the surface. This reservoir continues to be the best crappie producer in northwest Ohio. It contains a large number that are longer than the minimum size limit of 9 inches. Popular spots are along the rocky ledge on the southern shore and small coves along the southern neck of the reservoir. Focus on trees or logs submerged in the water. The northern end becomes more popular during the summer as fish seek more cover. Bluegill and sunfish are always fun to catch, especially when they hit those Fish Ohio sizes. Lake La Su An in Williams County offers the best chance at catching one of these broad-bodied, saucer-shaped fish. The lakes and ponds on Lake La Su An Wildlife Area are managed for large populations of big bluegill (larger than 8 inches). On Lake La Su An, the area's largest lake, the east shoreline and the south shoreline directly across from the fishing dock are the best locations to start. Live bait, especially waxworms or redworms, entice panfish to bite. Live fish, including minnows, are not allowed to be used as bait on the wildlife area. The main lake features a concrete boat launch with a dock, plus an accessible fishing dock. The lake is unlimited horsepower for boats with a no-wake restriction. Other ponds on the area have primitive boat launches suitable for small boats. Fishing is available from early May through late summer on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Visit wildohio.gov for a full listing of special regulations. Beaver Creek Reservoir in Sandusky County should be on your list if you're looking to net big channel catfish. This upground reservoir offers good bank access for all ages. Look for channel cats in deeper water during the day using cut baits or night crawlers. For early morning, early evening or nighttime fishing, try the shallow southern portion of the reservoir. Anglers can expect to find good numbers of fish in the 17- to 20-inch range, with some up to 27 inches. The reservoir has an improved concrete boat launch with dock and is restricted to electric motors. Boats with larger motors can keep them tipped up and out of the water. Strong west winds can affect launching and landing boats. The Division of Wildlife has numerous resources available to assist anglers. Lake maps, fishing tips by species, angling forecasts and information to help new anglers catch fish are available right at your fingertips. Downloading the HuntFish OH mobile app makes it easy to find fishing regulations and an interactive fishing map on any mobile device. For more information on fishing tips and forecasts, go to wildohio.gov "There are always new places to go fishing. For any fisherman, there's always a new place, a new horizon." — Jack Nicklaus Along the Way The U.S. Senate is reviewing new abilities to deal with a fatal disease affecting deer and other cervids in 23 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act (CWDRM Act) would call for an annual investment of $70 million through 2028. It passed the House last fall and Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) have introduced the act to the Senate. The bill splits the budget evenly, with $35 million going to both research of the actual disease, while $35 million would be used to develop detection methods; methods to reduce disease transmission; surveillance; and testing methods in areas already experiencing high concentrations and new outbreaks, and to look for answers as to why the disease continues to spread. A press release concerning the CWDRM Act states that funds may also be used for "authorization for federal, state and Tribal agencies to develop educational materials to inform the public on CWD." CWD was first identified in captive deer in a Colorado in the late 1960s, and in wild deer in 1981. By the 1990s, it had been reported in surrounding areas in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. Since 2000, CWD in free-ranging animals has increased to 27 states and two Canadian provinces. Recently, the Ohio Division of Wildlife has confirmed that nine additional wild white-tailed deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease in northern Marion and southern Wyandot counties — five bucks and four does. Testing was performed on hunter-harvested deer during the 2021-22 season. The disease is progressive and fatal, affecting the brain, spinal cord and other tissues of infected animals. It is a prion-based diseased referred to as TSEs (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies) and is of the same type as bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, scrapie in sheep and goats, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (the human form of "mad cow disease") in people. Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, remarked, "For years, hunters have been calling for a comprehensive legislative solution to help combat the rapid spread of chronic wasting disease, which threatens the very future of wild deer and deer hunting in America. This bill addresses multiple facets of this complex problem." Step Outside • Are you interested in conservation organizations which offer a wide, national impact? The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership might be worth exploring. Visit them at https://www.trcp.org/ • Thursday and Friday: Trap and skeet, 5 p.m., UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243. • May 22: Nostalgia Vintage 50-Bird Trap Shoot, traps open at noon, with the program at 1 p.m., Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. Shoot the way great-grandpa played the game. Eligible shotguns include: Winchester Models 12, 97, 101, Super X1; Remington Models 10, 11, 17, 31, 32, 3200, 870, 1100; Browning Superposed, A-5, Double Automatic, B-2000; Ithaca single-barrel trap 37; and any manufacture side-by-side. • May 22: 3D Archery Match, Field and Stream Bowhunters, 11400 Allen Township 109. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Contact Harold Spence at 419-423-9861. • June 20: Applications due for the Conservation Teen Advisory Council (ConTAC). The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for a new class of 30 teens that will be selected to serve on ConTAC for the 2022-23 academic year. Students enrolled in high school for the 2022-23 school year are eligible to apply at https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/education-training/contac Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com